Children in Liability Insurance: How long they are really covered and what you need to consider
13 May 2025
6
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Many parents wonder: How long are children co-insured under liability? The answer is more complex than often assumed and depends on education, age, and life situation. This article sheds light on the matter and provides you with assurance.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Children are usually covered under their parents' liability insurance until the completion of their initial professional training (apprenticeship/studies), even if they no longer live at home.
Marriage or entering professional life usually ends the co-insurance, regardless of age.
Children who are not legally liable (under seven years old, under ten in road traffic) are often covered by special clauses; parental supervision duties also play a role.
An overview of the key facts about including children in insurance
The question of how long children are covered by liability insurance concerns many families. As a general rule: minor children are usually covered by the parents' family liability insurance. Adult children can often still be under parental protection, especially during initial training or education. The insurance coverage often depends on the child's educational status and family situation. A private liability insurance is therefore a must for every family.
Age Limits and Criminal Responsibility: What Parents Need to Know
A key aspect is the incapacity of children to commit torts. Children under seven years are considered incapable of committing torts and cannot be held liable for damages. In road traffic, this age limit is even ten years. However, this does not automatically mean that the parents' insurance does not provide coverage. Many modern policies include damages caused by children incapable of committing torts up to a certain sum, often up to fifty thousand euros or more. Therefore, make sure to check the conditions of your policy. If parents have neglected their duty of supervision, they can also be held liable for damages caused by younger children. The family coverage should take this point into account.
School time, training, and studies: Understanding the duration of co-insurance
As long as children are in school, they are usually covered by their parents' liability insurance. This protection also extends to their first vocational training, whether it's an apprenticeship or an undergraduate course. Typically, a Master's programme immediately following a Bachelor's degree is still considered initial training. Even if the child moves into their own apartment for their studies or training, the insurance coverage often remains in place. It's important that the training begins immediately after school and isn't interrupted for an extended period. A waiting period, such as for a university place, is often covered for up to a year.
The following points are relevant here:
Immediate transition from school to training/study.
Initial training (apprenticeship or first degree, including Master's after Bachelor's).
No long-term interruption of training.
Often still insured even when moving into own apartment during training.
Waiting periods for training/university places usually covered for up to a year.
It's advisable to clarify the exact conditions with the insurer to ensure your child is protected during this important phase of life and you understand what liability insurance is needed for.
When does co-insurance end? Recognising critical transitions
Protection under parental liability does not automatically end on the eighteenth birthday. However, there are clear limits. Once the child starts permanent employment and stands financially independent, their own liability insurance is generally necessary. This also applies if the child marries or enters into a registered civil partnership. A common misconception is that moving out of the parental home automatically results in the loss of coverage – this is usually not the case during initial training. After completing initial training, some insurers offer a grace period of up to a year while the child is job-seeking. Find out about the costs of liability insurance for young adults.
Special cases and specific life situations: What you should pay attention to
There are certain specific situations that can affect insurance coverage. A second degree or additional training after completing an initial education and starting a career often requires a separate policy. However, if a degree programme follows directly from an apprenticeship, the family liability insurance may often continue to provide cover. A voluntary social year (FSJ), Federal Voluntary Service or a semester abroad during the first degree are often also covered. Our expert tip: Always clarify the coverage of your insurance in advance if travelling abroad. In the case of separated parents, the family liability insurance should be continued by the parent with whom the children live; the other parent will then need their own policy. It is important to know whether children are automatically covered by liability insurance or if special regulations apply.
Key special cases at a glance:
Second degree/additional training: A separate policy often necessary.
Degree after apprenticeship: Can often still be included.
FSJ/Federal Voluntary Service: Usually covered.
Semester abroad: Often covered, check the details.
Separated parents: Insure the child with the parent they live with.
These points highlight the importance of a thorough examination of the individual situation and the insurance terms to understand when a separate liability policy for the child becomes essential.
Expert Depth: Legal Foundations and Recent Judgments
The inclusion of children in liability insurance is not explicitly regulated in a single paragraph of the German Civil Code (BGB), but is derived from the General Terms and Conditions of Insurance (AVB) of the respective contracts. The rules regarding incapacity for tort can be found in § 828 BGB. This paragraph states that children are not responsible for damages before reaching the age of seven. In motor traffic, this applies until the age of ten, provided the damage was not caused intentionally. For children between seven and eighteen years, responsibility depends on their individual capacity for discretion. Courts have clarified the interpretation of the duty of supervision (§ 832 BGB) and the conditions for co-insurance in numerous rulings. Our expert tip: Keep relevant court rulings or specialist articles that could support your position in case of damage, and consult a specialist insurance lawyer if uncertainties arise. The question of whether liability claims within the family are covered is also an important aspect regulated in the AVB.
Recommendations for parents: How to optimally secure your child
To ensure that your child is always adequately insured, there are several points you should consider. Regularly check your existing liability policy, particularly the clauses regarding the co-insurance of children. Pay attention to age limits and the definition of initial education. Notify your insurer immediately about changes in your child's life situation, such as the start of an apprenticeship, moving out, or marriage. Our expert tip: Always get important assurances from your insurer confirmed in writing. Compare offers from different insurers, as terms and benefits can vary greatly. Liability insurance for children is an important component of family planning. If you are uncertain, professional advice, such as that offered by nextsure, can be very helpful in finding the right solution for your family.
Checklist for parents:
Check existing policy (age limits, definition of initial education).
Inform insurer of changes (apprenticeship, moving out, marriage).
Get important assurances confirmed in writing.
Compare offers.
Seek professional advice if needed.
By taking these steps, you can avoid coverage gaps and ensure that the question "How long are children co-insured in the liability policy?" is clearly answered for your family.
Conclusion: Early planning and clear communication are crucial
More useful links
The press release by Destatis (Federal Statistical Office) contains statistical information that might be relevant for families or children.
This PDF document from Destatis provides detailed data on traffic accidents involving children.
The DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance) provides information about insurance coverage for children in daycare centres.
An article by Test.de (Stiftung Warentest) explains what benefits the statutory accident insurance provides in the event of accidents involving children.
The Wikipedia article offers a comprehensive explanation of legal capacity in Germany, an important legal aspect in the context of liability.
FAQ
How long are children covered by liability insurance if they do a voluntary social year?
Children participating in a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), a Federal Voluntary Service, or a similar service year are generally still covered under their parents' family liability insurance, provided this occurs before or between educational phases. It is advisable to verify this with the insurer.
My child is starting a dual study program. Are they still insured?
A dual study program is often considered as initial training, allowing the child to remain co-insured. However, since there is already a training contract with remuneration in place, you should clarify the exact conditions with your insurance to be sure.
What applies to a semester abroad for my child?
During temporary stays abroad as part of a first degree, such as a semester abroad, coverage under the family liability insurance generally remains in effect worldwide. It is advisable to check the exact conditions and any time limitations in the contract.
Does my child need their own liability insurance when they get married?
Yes, marriage ends the co-insurance under the parental liability insurance, regardless of the child's age or education status. The newlywed couple will then need their own liability coverage.
Up to what age are children still covered, even if they are still studying?
Most insurers tie the co-insurance primarily to the completion of the first professional training and not to a fixed maximum age. As long as the child is continuously in initial training and unmarried, coverage can remain intact. However, a few tariffs may have age limits (e.g., 25 or 27 years), so it's important to check the policy.
What if my child takes a break after completing their bachelor's degree before starting their master's?
Shorter waiting times between completing your Bachelor's degree and directly proceeding to a Master's degree are usually unproblematic, and insurance coverage remains intact. However, if there are extended breaks or if you take up employment during this time, coverage may lapse. Be sure to discuss this with your insurer.
