Guides and tips
Switch car insurance
Act now – switch your car insurance before 30 November: cancel, compare, save.
Check insurance cover
Guides and tips
Act now – switch your car insurance before 30 November: cancel, compare, save.
Check insurance coverAre you a driver looking to switch your car insurance provider? If so, you should take action now: the cancellation deadline for car insurance is 30 November, so that a new policy with a different insurer can come into effect on 1 January.
By sending a cancellation letter and switching insurers, you can often avoid a premium increase. Most car insurance policies run for one year and are automatically renewed for a further twelve months if you do not cancel in time.
With our tips for a successful car insurance switch, you’ll learn what to look out for and how to cancel your car insurance without deregistering your vehicle.
If you are driving your car on the roads, you need at least third-party motor insurance. This covers damage you cause to other road users, whether it be damage to property or personal injury. Damage to your own car is not covered by third-party insurance.
To insure your own car, you need comprehensive insurance: both third-party, fire and theft cover and comprehensive cover are generally significantly more expensive than third-party liability cover alone.
The differences in price and cover between different car insurance providers are often huge.
Independent comparison websites are a good way to find out whether you could pay less with another insurer or get more cover for the same money. Before switching your car insurance, compare which providers offer good terms at a fair price. It’s best to request several quotes and then choose the one that offers the best value for money.
Compare thoroughly:
Before you decide on a new car insurance policy, you should compare different quotes. Don’t just look at the price, but also at the cover, service and customer reviews.
Assess your individual needs:
Consider which benefits are important to you personally. For example, do you need extended cover abroad or specific additional benefits?
Take your current situation into account:
Have your circumstances changed? Perhaps you’ve bought a new car or moved house. These factors can affect your insurance premium.
The best time to switch car insurance
The best time to switch your car insurance is usually towards the end of the insurance year, as most car insurance policies run on an annual basis.
It is advisable to start the switching process around a month before the end of the insurance year to allow sufficient time to compare quotes and take out a new policy.
Furthermore, 30 November serves as a useful benchmark, as many policyholders exercise their special right of termination at this time to switch their car insurance.
Notice periods to be observed when switching
insurance The deadline for cancelling car insurance in Germany is 30 November.
Policyholders must generally cancel their existing car insurance by 30 November if they wish to switch to another insurer on 1 January of the following year.
This deadline is set by law and serves as a guide for switching insurance providers in Germany.
Even if you miss your cancellation deadline, you still have a chance to switch car insurance. For example, if the insurance terms and conditions change, such as an increase in premiums or a reduction in cover. In such cases, as a policyholder, you have the right to cancel outside the regular cancellation periods.
You can also cancel your insurance if you deregister or de-register your vehicle. Naturally, your car insurance also ends when you sell your car.
Here too, you should check the exact conditions for a special right of termination in your insurance policy and, if necessary, clarify them with your insurance company.
Please check the exact notice periods and terms and conditions in your insurance policy, as these may vary depending on the insurance company.
The sum insured is the amount up to which the insurance company will cover the cost of a claim. Your policy should have a sum insured of at least €50 million – preferably €100 million. This ensures you are protected against the financial consequences of serious accidents.
With the Mallorca Policy, you’re well covered by motor vehicle liability insurance even whilst on holiday. This is because the Mallorca Policy (also known as Mallorca cover or the Mallorca clause) increases your sum insured for hire cars in other European countries to the German level. Look out for the heading ‘Insurance for the use of third-party vehicles subject to compulsory insurance’ in your policy terms and conditions.
Under this clause, the comprehensive insurance policy waives its right to raise the defence of gross negligence. This means that the insurance company will pay the full amount even if you have caused damage to your vehicle through gross negligence (e.g. by running a red light, speeding or fiddling with your mobile phone).
Please note: The insurance company will not pay out for accidents caused whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The same applies if gross negligence is the reason for the theft of your car.
Damage caused by martens gnawing on hoses and cables in your car can lead to costly repairs. If your comprehensive insurance covers not only damage to hoses, brake lines and wiring but also consequential damage, you will need to make sure this is included in your policy.
Under this clause, comprehensive insurance covers not only accidents involving wild game (e.g. roe deer or wild boar) but also accidents involving cows or horses. This extension is now standard.
With a breakdown cover policy, you’ll receive assistance in the event of a breakdown. Depending on the terms of your policy, the provider will cover costs such as the following if you’re unable to use your car following an accident:
If you wish to protect yourself against such eventualities, you can choose between a motor insurance policy from a car insurer or an automobile club.
If you’re buying a new car, there’s no need for roadside assistance or a motoring club membership. As a rule, the manufacturer’s mobility guarantee will cover you.
Before you cancel your old car insurance policy, you should first make sure your new policy is all sorted; otherwise, you could find yourself without cover.
Unlike with third-party motor insurance, comprehensive insurers may refuse to insure a new customer. This can happen if a check of the customer’s details reveals that costly claims have been made in recent years.
Before signing a new car insurance policy, you should study the small print carefully and compare not only the price but also the benefits and terms and conditions in detail. When choosing car insurance, you should generally ensure that the new policy includes cover of 100 million euros.
As a policyholder, you have no influence over the type and regional classes, which are determined by the vehicle model and place of residence. In the case of third-party liability insurance, claims made in previous years determine the classification of the car.
To switch your car insurance, you will usually need the following documents:
Please contact your new insurance company in advance to ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready for a smooth transition to your new car insurance policy.
Yes, you can cancel your car insurance without deregistering the vehicle.
Cancelling your insurance and deregistering the vehicle are two separate processes. Please note, however, that once you have cancelled your insurance, you must either take out a new policy or deregister the vehicle to ensure that it is no longer driven on public roads.
You can suspend your car insurance if your vehicle is temporarily out of service, e.g. if it is being repaired, you are abroad, or it is not being used for other reasons.
In such cases, ask your car insurance provider whether suspension is possible. Please note, however, that the vehicle must not be driven on public roads during this period.
Yes, it is possible to change the policyholder on a motor insurance policy. This may be necessary, for example, if the vehicle changes hands.
In such cases, the new vehicle owner must have the car insurance transferred into their name. This process usually involves notifying the insurance company and submitting the relevant documents confirming the change of ownership.
Car insurance is not usually cancelled automatically when the vehicle is sold. It is the seller’s responsibility to cancel the insurance or to transfer the policy to the new owner.
It is important that the seller informs the insurance company of the sale to ensure that they are no longer insured for the vehicle.
To cancel your car insurance, you should generally send a written notice of cancellation to your insurance company.
You should include
.
Please note the notice period specified in your insurance policy. Send the notice of cancellation by registered post to ensure you have proof of receipt.
Please note that selling your vehicle does not automatically terminate your insurance; you must therefore cancel the policy yourself.
Yes, in many cases it is possible to cancel your car insurance by email. However, it is important to check the exact cancellation procedures in your insurance policy, as some insurance companies may have specific requirements regarding the method of cancellation. Make sure your cancellation notice contains all the necessary information and that you request confirmation of receipt to ensure it is valid.
No, you cannot usually cancel your car insurance at any time.
Cancellation is usually possible at the end of the contract term. However, the exact notice periods and procedures may vary depending on the insurance company and the contract.
In some cases, car insurance can also be cancelled outside the standard notice period if certain circumstances arise, such as changing vehicles or moving to a different region. Check the exact terms and conditions in your insurance policy or contact your insurer directly to clarify the specific cancellation options.
Yes, it is possible to switch car insurance providers mid-year, particularly if certain circumstances change, such as changing vehicles, moving to a different region, or a premium increase by the insurance company.
In such cases, you have the right to switch your car insurance outside the standard notice period. Check the exact terms and conditions in your insurance policy or contact your insurer directly to clarify the specific options for switching.
Use comparison websites or contact an insurance broker to compare different quotes and find the option that suits you best.
A safe driving style and a claim-free record can have a positive impact on your insurance premium.
Consider whether partial or comprehensive cover is necessary, or whether third-party cover is sufficient, depending on your vehicle’s needs.
Check for discounts. Some insurers offer discounts for frequent drivers, vehicles parked in garages, or taking out additional insurance policies with the same provider.
Ask different insurance companies about special offers or special terms to get the best price.
To ensure you are fully covered in the event of a claim, you should check what cover your car insurance provides. This will help you avoid gaps in cover and financial risks.
