German car insurance premiums to rise by up to 20 percent

Car insurance premiums could rise by up to 20 percent in Germany, according to a press release by the German Automobile Association.

ADAC announces German car insurance premium rises

The German Automobile Association (ADAC) has announced new car insurance premium rates for 2026. Every year, the German Insurance Association (GDV) conducts a risk assessment of accident likelihood in 413 registration districts in Germany.

ADAC then uses the GDV’s risk assessment to adjust premium costs. In registration districts where drivers are more likely to be involved in a collision or accident, premiums are raised. 

This year, the ADAC designated a new classification to 99 of Germany’s 413 registration districts. If your car is registered in one of these districts, then your car insurance premium is likely to change. 

These changes apply to both liability (Haftpflicht), comprehensive (Kasko) car insurance and partial damages insurance (Teilkasko-Schäden), which includes coverage for theft, fires, broken windows or other such damages.

Anyone who faces increased premiums can also look for a better deal with a different car insurer. But take note, drivers who want to switch must submit their cancellation form to their current insurer by November 30, 2025.

Where will German car insurance premiums rise in 2026?

Generally speaking, drivers in large cities are considered to be at the highest risk of being involved in an accident, so they pay the highest premiums in Germany.

For liability insurance, regions are classified on a scale from 1 to 12, the higher the risk, the higher the ranking. For comprehensive insurance, regions are classified from 1 to 9 and for partial damages insurance, from 1 to 16.

In Berlin, only drivers with partial damage insurance will see their classification raised by one point to 12. In Munich and Hamburg, only those with liability insurance will see the classification change, down by one point to 10.

Classifications will stay the same across all insurance types for drivers in Cologne and Düsseldorf. Classifications for comprehensive insurance and partial damage insurance in Stuttgart will both rise by 1 point, to 6 and 4, respectively.

To see a full list of the new classifications, head to the ADAC website.