How To Change A Car Insurance in Germany?
November is the only time in a year when you can change your car insurance in Germany. There are several rules, exceptions, and deadlines you want to know before switching or canceling the insurance provider.
You can change car insurance in Germany at the end of the year, but the termination letter must be sent one month before – until 30 November. If you change the vehicle, you can change the insurance provider as well, as long as the old car is taken out from the vehicle register.
We have written this guide because the situation with contracts and insurance in Germany can get quite complicated. Changing car insurance isn’t something that you can do at any time and in the way you want. Hence, deadlines and rules must be considered and observed.
For example, what happens with car insurance if you switch the vehicle? And when to send the termination letter? This and more questions are answered in this article.
Changing car insurance in Germany
So you have been thinking about switching your car insurance provider or changing the vehicle in Germany?
In fact, around 50% of car owners in Germany are thinking about changing car insurance every year (statistics from the platform Check24). Indeed, the country has many insurance companies, most of which offer attractive coverages and rates, especially when you change from one provider to another.
Most people want to change their policy to save money (85%) or receive better insurance benefits (27%). So, maybe you have found a better deal or just buying a new car – the question about the cancellation of the current insurance arises.
Before picking new car insurance, check out our recommended providers, Allianz and Cosmosdirect.
Before making any changes, consider if new insurance will be worthwhile. Maybe staying with the old provider is a better idea.
Generally speaking, the process of changing car insurance is relatively straightforward when keeping in mind all deadlines. For instance, you must know the end date of your contract. The termination must happen one month before this date.
In most cases, the termination deadline is 30 November, so your insurance will be canceled by 31 December. You must cancel the insurance plan in written form via email or mail and have the new coverage taken out by the termination date.
Looking for a new provider? Allianz and CosmosDirekt are some of the reputable, affordable and reliable car insurance providers in Germany.
When can you change your car insurance in Germany?
The termination in Germany can get complicated. In many cases, cancellation is possible at the end of the current contract, which is the end of December. However, there are some exceptions to the rule.
In the case of car insurance, the policy can be canceled at the end of an insurance year with a one-month period. Most insurance coverages have a validity period of one year, so you will need to wait until the right date.
The majority of car insurance policies run until 31 December. Therefore, you must terminate coverage by 30 November. Exceptions are more flexible contracts, which could be made during the entire year (unterjährige).
In that case, a client can determine the beginning and end of the insurance year, regardless of the calendar year.
If you don’t cancel the insurance, it will automatically be extended by one year. As we mentioned, there are some exceptions to the terminations rules in Germany. Hence, you can cancel your current car insurance and switch to another one if:
- Increase in the insurance contract or price
In case of a change in terms of the contract or price, the insurance company will inform a client in written form, usually by mail. After that, you can cancel the policy with a termination period of one month from the moment of receiving a letter.
- A claimed car accident
If a client has had an accident with the car, they can also cancel the policy before the expiration date. However, you need to claim the damages to the vehicle from the company first and only after terminating the contract.
Your request will be accepted whether insurance reimburses costs or not. Nonetheless, the termination is only possible after the completion of the negotiations, when a final decision about the compensation has been made. You will have one month termination period from that final decision.
Your contract with the insurance company must state these exceptions; otherwise, you won’t be able to cancel the policy.
Change the car insurance while changing the car
Many people would ask themselves if a change of insurance is actually possible when changing a car. In Germany, when changing the car, you will need to deregister the old vehicle and register the new one in the car register.
After doing this, the car owner can easily take out a new insurance policy/provider for a new vehicle.
In case you sell the old car, the insurance will be transferred over to the new owner, and it won’t be canceled. Later, a buyer will change your name in the policy or take out another insurance. After this has happened, your old car insurance will be canceled automatically.
Also, all your accident history will be transferred from the old insurance to the new one. In any case, you should inform the old insurance provider about the car sale beforehand.
Documents you need to change car insurance in Germany
What documents do you need to change the car insurance? The following documents are required either for the termination of the old policy or signing for a new one:
- Driver’s license and information about your driving experience
- Vehicle registration certificate for information about the manufacturer and model of the car
- The last statement of the current insurance
- Car mileage
- The contract number of the current car insurance
Reasons for changing car insurance in Germany
There are various reasons you might consider changing car insurance:
- Discount of other providers
- Lower rate
- Change of the driver
- Change of the place of residency
- Expiration of the contract
- Change of the vehicle
- Change in the coverage and benefits
- Customer service
- Increase in the current rate
- Having a car accident
A change of car insurance can potentially save you a lot of money. You can always find cheaper insurance for your vehicle after you learn more about the rates, your car, and your driving style.
Insurance companies are engaged in a real price war, especially during the changing season (November), during which you can find the best rates ever. Check out the best provider in terms of value for money – Allianz.
Deadlines for car insurance change
To change your car insurance, you must keep the deadlines in mind.
- Change car insurance at the end of the insurance year
For the ordinary termination of car insurance, the deadline for most insurers is 30 November if something else isn’t stated in your contract. You must send a termination notice by this date. - Change car insurance in the middle of the year
With more flexible contacts, other periods might apply, but they usually differ to the calendar year. However, the same termination period of one month applies.
Don’t cancel until you have signed the new contract with another firm. Your vehicle must always be covered by the insurance.
Change car insurance in Germany: step-by-step process
If you are still determined to change car insurance in Germany, just follow these 4 steps:
Step 1: Check the notice period
Depending on the contract, the termination rules can vary. Generally, car insurance in Germany can be changed/canceled at the end of the insurance year, which is usually a calendar year. However, your insurance might have different policies, so check this out.
Step 2: Compare rates and policies of other providers
Before signing new insurance, make a throughout research and comparison. This way, you don’t have to change a provider again any time soon. Consider which coverage it should have and what is the yearly price.
The comparison platforms, like Tarifcheck, allow you to see all available providers, their coverages, and rates. Moreover, you can calculate the most affordable or optimal for your situation offer.
The best time for the selection of the new car insurance is November. Many insurance companies will offer low rates since many people cancel policies during that time.
Step 3: Make a new insurance contract
Now you have selected the best company and the best deal for the car, it’s time to sign a new contract. The eVB number (electronic insurance confirmation) will be sent to you within 24 hours after the conclusion of the agreement.
Upon receiving this confirmation, you can terminate the current contract. Your new insurance company will automatically inform the competent vehicle registration office about the insurance change.
However, you should only sign new insurance only if you follow all deadlines and regulations of the cancelation from your old provider. Otherwise, they might refuse the termination request, and you end up with two car insurances!
Step 4: Terminate old insurance
At this moment, you already have a new policy, so your car is secure. Hence, cancellation of old insurance must be made within the notice period (1 month). The termination happens in written form, by email, or mail.
Your damage-free discount (Schadenfreiheitsrabatt) and accident history will automatically be transferred from the old to the new insurance.
Best car insurance in Germany
Allianz and CosmosDirekt are some of the reputable, affordable and reliable car insurance providers in Germany.
1. CosmosDirekt
Changing insurance with CosmosDirekt
In case you want to stay flexible and find a provider who allows extraordinary insurance change, CosmosDirekt got some options for you! You can change insurance easily:
- Customers of CosmosDirekt have a special right of termination (extraordinary termination) if your policy price has increased or there was a change in terms of the contract. It also applies if your contribution has increased after you have changed the vehicle type.
In that case, you can cancel the insurance plan with the one-month termination deadline.
2. Allianz
Compare car insurances
Before signing for new insurance, do your research and comparison. This way, you don’t have to change a provider again any time soon. Consider which coverage it should have and what is the yearly price.
Tarifcheck is the platform where you can see and compare all available providers, their coverages, and rates.
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