In order to operate a vehicle legally in Germany, it must have third-party, or liability, insurance that will cover any damage to another car or person no matter who is driving. In addition, you can get Teilkaskoversicherung, which will protect your car against such things as fire, storm or theft – but check your policy thoroughly for what it will reimburse. It may even pay for damage caused by marders, which are a member of the weasel family that like to chew on auto wiring. They thrive in urban Berlin and you may occasionally see one if you’re out late at night. If you want your car covered in an accident, even if you cause it yourself, you’ll need Vollkaskoversicherung.

Insurance rates are based on the type of coverage, the value of your car and a complex formula that figures your age, marital status and accident-free years. You can also build in an excess to further lower your premiums. Expect to pay about €600 a year for Teilkaskoversicherung on a mid-sized car that’s a couple of years old. Insurers that do business only online tend to be the cheapest because they have low administration costs. Also know whether you’re covered before heading across the border to Poland or the Czech Republic – high theft rates there have made insurers wary of offering coverage. If you buy a new car or finance your vehicle, you may be required to take out Vollkaskoversicherung to replace the car should you cause an accident. Most used-car owners don’t bother with Vollkaskoversicherung, however, since the cost of the insurance usually exceeds the cost of the car within a few years.