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Switching car insurance in Germany: deadline 30 November 2026

Most German car-insurance contracts run for the calendar year and can be cancelled with one month's notice – so your cancellation must reach your insurer by Monday, 30 November 2026 for the new policy to start on 1 January 2027. Prices for the same car often differ a lot between insurers, so comparing once a year is worth it.

1. Check your renewal letter

In autumn insurers send the premium for next year. Note the new price, your no-claims class (SF-Klasse), type class and regional class.

2. Compare offers with identical cover

Compare like for like: liability limits, partial or comprehensive cover (Teilkasko/Vollkasko), deductible, workshop binding and extras such as GAP cover or a protection letter.

3. Take out the new policy first

Sign the new contract before cancelling – the new insurer issues your eVB number and can usually handle the cancellation for you.

4. Cancel in time – it must arrive by 30 November

What counts is receipt by the insurer, not the postmark. Send it by email or online form and keep the confirmation.

5. Your no-claims class moves with you

The new insurer requests your claims history from the old one; you keep your SF-Klasse.

6. Missed the date? Use special cancellation rights

If your insurer raises the premium without changing cover, you may cancel within one month of the notice (§ 40 VVG). After a claim has been settled, both sides can cancel within one month (§ 111 VVG). When you sell the car, the policy passes to the buyer (§ 95 VVG); the buyer and the insurer may cancel within one month, and the policy ends automatically once the buyer insures the car with their own insurer. Report the sale to your insurer with date and time of handover.

7. Contract not tied to the calendar year?

Some policies renew on a different date (the main due date in your policy). Then the one-month notice applies before that date – our deadline calculator works it out for you.

Tip: paying annually is usually cheaper than monthly, and a smaller deductible or no workshop binding raises the premium – choose consciously.

Calculate your cancellation deadline →

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General information, not legal advice.

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