Central Call of the Automobile Insurers: Quick assistance for identifying the opposing party's insurance after an accident
3 Apr 2025
9
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A traffic accident is always a stressful situation. It is often unclear which insurance company the other party is insured with. The Central Call of Motor Insurers offers quick and straightforward assistance here.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The central call of the motor insurers determines free of charge the motor third-party liability insurance of the opponent in Germany and many European countries.
The opposing vehicle's registration number, the date of the incident, and the country where the accident occurred are required for a request.
The central call is not a claims reporting office, but purely an information service for identifying the insurer.
Quick Facts: The Central Call of the Car Insurers at a Glance
The Central Call of Motor Insurers is an important point of contact after a traffic accident. It enables the identification of the opponent's motor liability insurance. This institution has been established for over fifty years.
Here are the key points summarised:
Legal Basis: The Central Call operates on the basis of paragraph 8a of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG).
Free Service: The inquiry at the Central Call is free of charge for the inquirer.
Availability: For accidents in Germany, the service is available 365 days a year, around the clock. For international claims, limited times apply.
Contact Options: Inquiries can be made by phone via the free number 0800 250 260 0 or online via a form.
International Coverage: The Central Call determines insurance for vehicles from the entire European Economic Area and Switzerland.
This prompt information is often crucial for the swift settlement of a claim. In the next section, you will learn more about the specific tasks and functions.
Practical Guide: How to Use Central Call Effectively
The use of Central Notification is straightforward and relies on a few, yet essential, details. For a successful query, you generally only need three pieces of information: the opposing party's registration number, the date of the damage, and the country where the accident occurred.
For accidents abroad, the home country of the opposing vehicle and possibly your email address for the online inquiry are added. Providing a phone number can expedite processing by the insurer. The Central Notification stores information on all vehicles with insurance plates, including cars, motorcycles, and even mopeds. For international claims, this is particularly helpful. The information includes the name and contact details of the opposing insurer. For foreign claims, the German claims representative is also named. Remember, the Central Notification does not handle claims but only identifies the insurer. The actual reporting of a claim abroad or domestically is done directly with the identified insurer.
Most inquiries are processed within a few minutes. If an immediate response is not possible, the inquiry will be forwarded to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, which can extend the response time to about a day. Next, we will examine the legal framework and expert tips.
Expert Knowledge: Legal Foundations and Important Notes
The central hotline for motor insurers is an institution legally authorized under Section 8a of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG). Its main task is to provide information about the opposing motor third-party liability insurance. Misuse or fraudulent acquisition of data is punishable by law. A legitimate interest must exist; this applies to accident victims or their representatives such as lawyers or workshops. The central hotline itself is not responsible for claims settlement or the enforcement of claims. It merely provides the necessary contact details of the insurance company. For details on coverage and the General Conditions for Motor Insurance, the identified insurance company is the contact point.
Our expert tip: Always record as much information as possible in the event of an accident. This includes the license plate, as well as the driver's name and address, and potential witnesses. This can greatly simplify the process, even beyond the central hotline. Digital support in motor insurance is becoming increasingly important. The central hotline is operated by GDV Dienstleistungs-GmbH, a subsidiary of the German Insurance Association (GDV). This affiliation ensures the service's data quality and reliability. Next, we will address specific situations and frequently asked questions.
Specific scenarios: foreign damages and special vehicle types
In the event of accidents abroad involving a vehicle registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, the Zentralruf provides valuable assistance. It not only identifies the foreign insurer but also the responsible claims representative in Germany. This allows handling in the language of the claimant's homeland, which is a considerable relief and often means more than fifty percent time savings. The phone number for inquiries from abroad is +49 40 300 330 300 and is available on weekdays from eight to twenty o'clock. For the identification of the insurer via the registration number, this is a central service.
The Zentralruf covers a wide range of vehicles. Information is available for all vehicles with an insurance registration number. This includes not only cars and motorcycles but also mopeds, four-wheeled light vehicles, and motorised wheelchairs. However, for moped registration numbers, data is only provided for the current traffic year. This is an important point to consider in older cases. Knowing the correct model classification of the opposing vehicle is often also relevant for your own insurance, but it is not provided by the Zentralruf. The clear structure of the Zentralruf helps to maintain an overview, even in more complex cases.
Understanding the Advantages and Limitations of the Central Call
The greatest advantage of the central call centre for car insurers lies in promptly and freely determining the opponent's insurance. This often speeds up claim handling by several days. The 24/7 availability for domestic claims is another plus. The option for an online request also offers flexibility. For professional enquirers like lawyers or workshops, there is even a dedicated platform (Z@Online) with extended functions, allowing up to twenty requests per day per employee. The height of the premium rate of the opposing insurance doesn't matter for the information provision.
However, there are limits. The central call centre is not a reporting or settlement office for claims. It does not assist in enforcing claims. The responsibility lies with the injured party or their insurer. The depth of information is restricted to insurer data; details about the accident circumstances or the question of guilt are not assessed. In cases of hit and run without a registration number, the central call centre cannot assist. A police report is essential in these situations. The electronic insurance confirmation (eVB) serves as proof of insurance coverage for registration, not for identifying the accident opponent. These clear distinctions are important for realistic expectations of the service.
Step-by-step: The Request at the Central Call
An enquiry with the Central Call of Motor Insurers is simple and can be completed in just a few steps. This ensures that you quickly receive the information you need. To ensure a smooth process, you should keep the following points in mind:
Gather information: Have the other party’s license plate number, the date of the accident, and the country where the accident occurred ready.
Choose a contact method: Decide on a telephone enquiry (Domestic: 0800 250 260 0, International: +49 40 300 330 300) or an online enquiry via the Central Call's website.
Transmit data: Provide the collected information accurately. An email address is often required for a response when making an online enquiry.
Receive information: In most cases, you will receive information on the opposing party’s insurance and possibly the claims handler within a few minutes.
Next steps: Contact the identified insurance company to report the damage and discuss further settlement. The insurance number of the other party will be provided to you.
Our expert tip: Use the online enquiry directly at the accident scene if you have a good internet connection. This way, you have the data quickly at hand. The SF class of the other party is not relevant for the information. With this information, you are well prepared to make the most of the Central Call.
Request a personalised risk analysis now
The correct handling of an accident claim begins with identifying the opponent's insurance, for which the central call of vehicle insurers is an invaluable tool. However, your own coverage also plays a crucial role. At nextsure, we understand that every insurance situation is unique. We offer you comprehensive niche insurance and individual coverage solutions as a digital insurance portal. Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific optimization suggestions. Request your individual risk analysis now and ensure tailored protection.
More useful links
Zentralruf der Autoversicherer provides the official platform for determining the opponent's motor vehicle liability insurance after a traffic accident.
Wikipedia offers a detailed overview of Zentralruf der Autoversicherer, its functionality and significance.
The GDV Dienstleistungs-GmbH is the operating company of the Zentralruf and provides insights into their services for the German insurance industry.
The Association of German Insurers (GDV) offers comprehensive information on damage and accident topics relevant to policyholders.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides official statistics and data on traffic accidents in Germany.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) publishes extensive statistics on road traffic and vehicle stock in Germany.
The Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) provides publications and research results on crash research and road safety.
Justiz.NRW provides information from the Ministry of Justice of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia on civil law issues related to traffic accidents.
FAQ
Is the central call center of car insurers available around the clock?
Yes, for accidents in Germany, the central hotline is available by phone (0800 250 260 0) and online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For claims from abroad, limited service hours apply (weekdays 8am-8pm at +49 40 300 330 300).
Can I report my damage through the central call?
No, the German Insurance Association's Central Call is purely an information centre for determining the opposing party's insurance. Claims must be reported directly to the identified insurance company.
What happens if I provide false information or misuse the service?
The misuse of the central call or the deception to obtain data may be prosecuted. A legitimate interest is a prerequisite for the inquiry.
Does the Central Call also determine in the event of accidents involving foreign vehicles in Germany?
No, in the case of accidents in Germany with a vehicle insured abroad, the German Green Card Bureau e.V. is responsible, not the central hotline. The central hotline assists with accidents that occur abroad.
What specific information do I receive from the Zentralruf?
You will receive the name and contact details of the responsible motor liability insurer of the other party involved in the accident. In the case of foreign claims, the claims settlement representative responsible in Germany will also be specified.
For which types of vehicles can the central call service provide information?
The Central Call stores data on all vehicles with insurance registration plates, including cars, motorcycles, mopeds, quadricycles, and motorised wheelchairs.
