Car insurance 2026: These drivers will suddenly pay much more
Car insurance in Germany is expected to become more expensive for many drivers in 2026. The main reason is the annual reclassification of regional categories by the German Insurance Association (GDV). Among the 413 registration areas in the country, 99 areas will see changes in their classification, which directly affects how much drivers pay. Depending on the area, this could mean higher or lower premiums.
Regional categories are one of the most important factors affecting car insurance costs. They apply to third-party insurance, partial insurance, and comprehensive insurance. The idea is simple: areas with a higher number of claims and accidents are classified into higher categories, leading to more expensive premiums. However, even if your area's rating improves, this does not always guarantee lower costs. Other factors are also taken into account, such as the age of the car, the driver's claims history, and the category of the car itself.
For third-party insurance, there are 12 levels, with level one representing the lowest number of claims and level 12 the highest. Cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg remain at the highest levels, making them among the most expensive places for car insurance. In 2026, Berlin's rating will remain at the maximum level 12. Meanwhile, rural areas like the Elbe-Elster region in Brandenburg stay at level one, keeping costs low.
Comprehensive insurance includes nine levels, while partial insurance has sixteen levels. These cover damages to your car, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and animal collision accidents. Areas that frequently experience such incidents are classified at higher levels, leading to higher premiums. For city dwellers, this generally means higher bills, while rural areas benefit from much cheaper premiums.
In addition to regional categories, the categories for individual car models will also be recalculated in 2026. This depends on the number of times a specific car model has been involved in accidents or caused damage. As a result, drivers with clean records may face increased costs if their car model is classified as statistically more dangerous.
Drivers who receive an unfavorable rating are advised to act quickly. The deadline for changing insurance companies is November 30, and cancellation requests must reach the old company before that date. By comparing your area's rating and your car model for 2026, you can decide whether switching to another company is worthwhile and avoid unnecessary additional costs.