What is the eVB code and when do you need it in Germany?

The eVB (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) is an electronic confirmation of your car liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht). You need it for any registration at the Zulassungsstelle: first registration, change of owner, temporary plates or export plates.

How long is an eVB code valid and what happens if you do not use it?

In most cases the eVB code is valid for around 90 days from the date of issue. If the vehicle is not registered during this period, the code expires and you need to request a new one from your insurer. This is usually free of charge, but it is important to plan your appointment at the Zulassungsstelle.

Which insurance is mandatory in Germany – Haftpflicht, Teilkasko or Vollkasko?

By law only Kfz-Haftpflicht – car liability insurance – is mandatory. Teilkasko and Vollkasko are optional add-ons that protect your own car against different types of damage.

Is it possible to save money on car insurance in Germany?

Yes. The price is influenced by your SF class, chosen deductible, region, vehicle type and add-on options. You can often reduce the premium by increasing your deductible, paying annually in advance and regularly comparing offers from different insurers via online comparison tools.

Car insurance in Germany and eVB code explained in simple terms

Types of car insurance

In Germany there are several main types of car insurance. The basic logic is simple: the more risks you want to cover, the higher the premium. However, without the mandatory liability cover you cannot register the vehicle or get plates.

📌 Liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung)

Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung is the mandatory basic cover. It pays for damage you cause to third parties (other road users) in an accident. Without this policy the car cannot be registered. Haftpflicht covers damage to another person’s vehicle, health or property – but it does not pay for damage to your own car or your own medical costs.

📌 Partial comprehensive (Teilkaskoversicherung)

Teilkaskoversicherung is an optional add-on. It covers damage to your car caused by events you usually cannot control or assign to another driver: for example hail, storm, fire, explosion, flooding, falling trees or wildlife accidents. Depending on the tariff, Teilkasko can also cover theft, break-in damage, broken windows or stolen items from the car. It does not cover wear and tear or accidents caused by your own driving mistake.

📌 Full comprehensive (Vollkaskoversicherung)

Vollkaskoversicherung is the most complete option. It includes everything that Teilkasko covers and additionally pays for repairs to your own vehicle after an at-fault accident or in case of vandalism. Full comprehensive is often recommended for new or expensive cars and for vehicles bought on finance – many banks require Vollkasko as a condition for the loan or leasing contract.

Important: you can only take out comprehensive cover (Teilkasko or Vollkasko) together with mandatory Haftpflicht. In practice there are three main combinations:

Haftpflicht only;
Haftpflicht + Teilkasko;
Haftpflicht + Vollkasko.

Every car owner chooses a package based on the value and age of the car and on their budget. For older and cheaper cars Haftpflicht may be enough, while for new or high-value cars it usually makes sense to think about comprehensive cover.

What the eVB code is and why you need it to register a car

eVB (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) is an electronic confirmation that you already have car liability insurance in place. It is mandatory for car registration in Germany. Your insurance company issues the eVB code once you have arranged at least the basic Kfz-Haftpflicht policy. The code is transmitted to a central database.

When you submit your documents at the registration office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle), you provide this code together with the vehicle paperwork and your ID. That is how you prove that the car is insured. After the eVB is used and the vehicle is registered, the insurance cover starts – either from the day of registration or from the start date defined in the contract.

The eVB code is only valid for a limited time, usually around 90 days from the moment it is issued. If you do not register the car within this time window, the code expires (“goes stale”) and you need a new one from your insurer.

It is therefore smart to plan the purchase and registration so that you request the eVB shortly before your appointment at the Zulassungsstelle. It is especially convenient if you already have a specific car in mind (see our step-by-step guide to buying a car in Germany) and know roughly when you will do the registration.

In short: without a valid eVB code you cannot get permanent, temporary or export plates. First you choose an insurance policy (Kfz-Haftpflicht), receive the eVB and only then go to the Zulassungsstelle with your documents.

Which factors influence the premium?

The price of car insurance in Germany differs from driver to driver because insurers assess risk individually. Their pricing models take dozens of factors into account:

✔️ Claim-free years (SF class). The longer you drive without at-fault claims, the lower your premium gets. Each claim-free year improves your Schadenfreiheitsklasse, while an at-fault claim can move you back to a more expensive class.
✔️ Age and driving experience. New drivers usually pay more than experienced ones. Young drivers are statistically a higher-risk group. With age and without accidents the premium tends to go down.
✔️ Region. Someone living in the centre of Berlin will typically pay more than a driver in a small town in Brandenburg. In big cities traffic is denser, there are more accidents and more theft.
✔️ Vehicle characteristics. Powerful or sporty cars are more expensive to repair – and therefore more expensive to insure. The age of the car, repair costs and brand also play a role.
✔️ Annual mileage and use. The more you drive, the higher the probability of an accident. Insurers ask for an approximate annual mileage and whether the car is used privately only or also for commuting or business.
✔️ Cover options and deductible. The more extras you add (breakdown cover, replacement car, cover for personal items, etc.), the higher the premium. A higher deductible (for example 500 € instead of 150 €) usually reduces the price because you take on more of the risk yourself.
✔️ Personal profile. Depending on the tariff, gender, family status, number of drivers or profession can also influence the price.
✔️ Discounts and promotions. Many insurers offer discounts for online contracts, for multiple vehicles in one household or for annual payment.

All these factors build up the final price. That is why you always have to fill in a questionnaire or online form for a realistic quote. Pricing models are dynamic: they change with claim statistics, weather events and overall market conditions.

In many cases it is cheaper to pay the premium annually, because insurers often give a discount for one-off payment. After your first policy year it can make sense to check again whether another provider now has a more attractive tariff – without losing your accumulated SF class.

These models are also adjusted over time. For example, after a period of extreme weather or other large-scale events, claim statistics may change and the market adapts to the new risk situation.

Why neighbours often pay different prices

If your neighbour pays less for car insurance, it is usually not because of “good luck” or “favouritism”. In most cases it is due to different risk parameters in the insurer’s model.

A few typical examples:

👓 Different region. Imagine two drivers with similar cars and similar experience: one lives in central Berlin, the other in a small Brandenburg town. In the city there is more traffic, more inexperienced drivers and a higher risk of theft. Statistics show more claims – and that is why premiums in big cities are higher.
👓 Different deductible and options. One driver chooses a deductible of 300 €, the other 150 €. With all other parameters equal, the policy with the lower deductible will be more expensive. The same applies if one driver adds more extras to the policy.
👓 Different claim history. If your neighbour has not had a claim for many years, their SF class may be very favourable. If you recently had a claim or have only just started driving in Germany, your premium will probably be higher.
👓 Different insurers and campaigns. Not all insurers assess risk in exactly the same way. One company may be especially competitive for your profile at the moment (for example due to a marketing campaign or a focus on certain customer groups), while another uses a different discount system.

Therefore you should always compare “like with like”: the same deductible, similar cover, same vehicle age and similar conditions. Only then do you see the real price differences – and not just differences in the contract details.

In other words: car insurance is not about luck, it is about calculation. The more information the insurer has, the more precisely they can price the risk. Even if two drivers look very similar from the outside, small differences in their profile or environment can lead to noticeably different premiums.

How to compare offers online

Many people do not enjoy shopping for insurance. The usual pattern is to walk into the first insurance office, answer a long list of questions and then sign whatever is offered. After a friendly face-to-face explanation it feels uncomfortable to say “thank you” and leave to compare prices elsewhere. As a result, a lot of people end up with the first policy they are shown – without checking alternatives.

From a financial point of view it is smarter to collect several offers and compare them. Visiting broker after broker in person takes time. It is much easier to use an online comparison tool.

In practice it works like this:

you fill in one form with data about your car, your driving history, where you live and which options you want;
the comparison tool requests offers from several insurers at once;
you see the tariffs and conditions side by side and choose the best fit for your situation;
if you like one of the offers, you can usually arrange the policy online and receive your eVB code for registration.

This is particularly useful if you are planning to buy a car soon and want to have a realistic idea of the annual insurance cost in advance.

Tips to reduce your premium

Even though many pricing factors are outside your direct control, there are several practical ways to keep your insurance costs under control:

❗ Increase your deductible. A higher deductible (for example 300 € or 500 € instead of 150 €) reduces the insurer’s risk and can noticeably lower your annual premium. Keep in mind that in case of an at-fault claim you will have to pay this amount yourself.
❗ Pay annually. Paying the full amount once per year is often rewarded with a small discount compared to monthly or quarterly payments.
❗ Drive claim-free. Every at-fault claim moves your SF class in the wrong direction, while each claim-free year improves it. Careful driving is the best “cashback” for your future premiums.
❗ Security equipment. Depending on the insurer, alarm systems, immobilisers or GPS trackers can lead to discounts – especially for expensive cars and in higher-risk regions.
❗ Driver training. Additional driver safety training (Fahrsicherheitstraining) or special programmes for senior drivers can sometimes be a plus in the risk assessment.
❗ Household or family policies. If there are several cars in one household, insuring them with the same company or under a joint programme can be cheaper.
❗ Regular comparison. Do not stay with the same insurer forever by default. Every one to two years it makes sense to check whether another company is now offering better conditions for your profile.

By keeping an eye on these details you can save money without sacrificing essential cover – regardless of whether you choose Haftpflicht only or combine it with Teilkasko or Vollkasko.

Important / Disclaimer

We are not insurance agents or brokers and we do not sell insurance policies. This article is for general information only and is intended to give you a basic overview. Although we aim to keep the information up to date, mistakes or inaccuracies are possible. Before making decisions about car insurance, please check all details directly with insurance companies or independent professional advisers.

We do not accept any liability for consequences that arise from using this information. Any insurance contracts are concluded directly between you and the insurer or intermediary, at your own risk. Affiliate links (*) lead to external services for whose content we are not responsible.

FAQ – questions about the eVB code and car insurance in Germany

Do I need an eVB code for temporary (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) and export plates?

Yes. To obtain temporary or export plates you also need a valid eVB code proving that the appropriate insurance cover is in place. Insurers usually offer special short-term tariffs for these plates with a limited duration.

Can I arrange insurance and get an eVB code before I have bought the car?

In most cases the eVB is issued for a specific vehicle or at least for a defined vehicle type and purpose of use. In practice it is often easiest to first find a car (see our article “How to buy a car in Germany – step-by-step guide”) and then arrange insurance and the eVB for this particular registration.

Can I switch insurers and keep my SF class?

Yes. When you change insurers your Schadenfreiheitsklasse (SF class) can be transferred. The new insurer will request confirmation from your previous company, so changing providers does not normally erase your claim-free history.

What is the practical difference between Haftpflicht, Teilkasko and Vollkasko?

Haftpflicht protects others – it pays for damage you cause to third parties. Teilkasko and Vollkasko protect you: Teilkasko covers external events such as storm, theft, broken glass or wildlife accidents, while Vollkasko additionally covers damage to your own car after at-fault accidents and vandalism. For new or expensive cars Vollkasko is often required when the vehicle is financed or leased.

Car insurance in Germany in simple words – and what the eVB code is