Car Insurance in Germany for Foreigners

Every German-registered car must have liability insurance, and most insurers want a German address. Through CarTurf you are insured with AXA as part of the registration, wherever you live.

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Short answer

Liability insurance (Haftpflicht) is compulsory for every car registered in Germany, and the registration office needs an electronic insurance confirmation (eVB number) before it issues plates. As a foreigner without a German address, you will usually be declined by standard insurers.

Through CarTurf, the car is registered via our German partner and insured with AXA. Insurance is coupled with the registration; there is no stand-alone temporary insurance. Customers contract with CarTurf Global FZCO (Dubai). Our German partner CarTurf UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is the registered Halter.

The three levels of cover

  • Liability only (Haftpflicht): covers damage you cause to others, third-party property and injury. Your own car is not covered. This is the legal minimum.
  • Partial cover (Teilkasko): adds fire and theft protection to liability. Collision damage to your own car is still not included.
  • Full cover (Vollkasko): adds collision damage to your own car, including when someone hits you and drives off. Recommended for newer or higher-value cars.

What it costs through CarTurf

CoverAnnual premiumCovers
Liability only (Haftpflicht) €850–€1,450 Damage to others
Partial cover (Teilkasko) €1,150–€1,800 (€150 deductible) Liability + fire and theft
Full cover (Vollkasko) €1,600–€3,350 (€300 deductible) Liability + fire, theft and damage to your own car

Typical annual premiums for cars up to €50,000, as published on our Pricing page: based on more than 350 real AXA car quotes, drivers 23+, SF class 3, cover valid abroad, deductibles €300 (Vollkasko) / €150 (Teilkasko). Motorhomes: Haftpflicht ~€700–€800, Teilkasko ~€1,000–€1,200, Vollkasko ~€1,750–€2,900 per year.

Drivers, no-claims and payment

  • Drivers: default cover is for drivers aged 23 and over. Drivers aged 18–22 (minimum 18) can be covered at a higher premium.
  • No-claims discount: a no-claims history from a foreign insurer does not automatically carry over to CarTurf insurance. It can be transferred only in certain cases, so ask us whether yours qualifies. A no-claims class from a previous German policy does carry over.
  • Payment: paying annually is usually cheaper than paying quarterly or semi-annually.
  • Storage periods: you can drop to partial cover while the car is stored. See car storage.

Assistance abroad: AXA Schutzbrief and ADAC

AXA's Schutzbrief im Ausland (assistance abroad) is included. If you want ADAC cover as well, it can be added for €149/year.

Where you are covered: the Green Card

CarTurf's AXA Green Card. Default cover is 38 European countries: all 27 EU states (Cyprus: government-controlled areas only), Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, the UK, Andorra, Moldova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia (government-controlled areas only). In Cyprus and Serbia cover applies only to areas under government control. Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia are not covered by default. They can be added on request with your exact travel dates: Turkey for €75 per month (cover only up to the Bosphorus), Morocco and Tunisia for up to 3 months with mobil komfort or mobil kompakt cover. See where you can drive with German plates.

US military or USAA customer?

If you are covered by USAA S.A. in Europe, you can bring that insurance to a CarTurf registration. See insurance for non-residents and US military.

Insured in Germany without a German address

Registration and AXA insurance together, in 1–5 business days once the documents are in.

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FAQ

Car insurance in Germany FAQ

Usually not on their own without a German address. Through CarTurf, the car is registered via our German partner and insured with AXA as part of the registration.

Through CarTurf, for cars up to €50,000: liability €850–€1,450, partial cover €1,150–€1,800 and full cover €1,600–€3,350 a year, based on more than 350 real AXA car quotes (drivers 23+, SF class 3, cover abroad, €300 VK / €150 TK deductibles). Motorhomes: about €700–€800 / €1,000–€1,200 / €1,750–€2,900.

Not automatically. A no-claims discount from a foreign insurer does not automatically carry over to CarTurf insurance; it can be transferred only in certain cases, so ask us whether yours qualifies. One from a previous German policy does carry over.

Yes. Default cover is for drivers aged 23+. Drivers aged 18–22 can be covered at a higher premium; the minimum age is 18.

AXA’s Schutzbrief for assistance abroad is included. ADAC cover can be added for €149/year.

By default 38 European countries, including the EU, UK, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Andorra, the Western Balkans and Moldova. Turkey (€75 per month, cover only up to the Bosphorus), Morocco and Tunisia (up to 3 months) can be added on request with your exact travel dates.