Car insurance

The 3 levels of car insurance (Germany):

1. Third-party liability (MANDATORY!):

• Pays for damage you cause to others
• You're not allowed to drive without liability insurance
• Cost: €200–800/year (depending on car, region, no-claims class)

2. Partial comprehensive (Teilkasko):

• Theft, glass breakage, collisions with wild animals, hail, flooding, fire
• Cost: +€50–200/year on top of liability
• Worthwhile for cars worth approx. €5,000 or more

3. Fully comprehensive (Vollkasko):

• Everything partial comprehensive covers PLUS accident damage you caused yourself and vandalism
• Cost: +€100–500/year on top of partial comprehensive
• Worthwhile for new cars and young used cars (up to approx. 4 years)

Saving tip: compare and switch every year in October/November. Deadline: 30 November. Savings: often €200–500/year.