TV phone campaign
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Car insurance: what to consider when changing
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Drivers can still rethink their car insurance until the end of November. During the TV telephone campaign, three experts gave tips on this.
Photo: dpa-tmn / Robert Günther
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Trier (red) During the TV phone campaign on the subject of vehicle insurance, the readers were very interested in the advice of the experts. Here is a selection of the questions that the callers asked the experts and their answers:
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What deadlines do I have to meet when changing insurance?
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Otmar Wagner, Insurance expert from HUK-Coburg: For most customers, a change can take place on January 1st, whereby the cancellation must be received by the insurer by November 30th. In some cases, however, insurers also have an expiry date during the year. The notice period of one month must be observed.
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Is a basic tariff an inexpensive alternative?
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Otmar Wagner: With such tariffs, certain services, e.g. B. Marten bite, collision damage with animals or the duration of the replacement value compensation in the case of total losses, not or less extensively insured. Often cases of gross negligence are also excluded from liability.
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Do I need special vehicle insurance for an electric car?
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Otmar Wagner: No. Motor vehicle liability insurance is compulsory for every motor vehicle, regardless of the type of drive. In addition, the vehicle owner decides whether to choose partial or fully comprehensive insurance. Make sure to what extent the vehicle battery is also insured.
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Are vehicle batteries not automatically included in the insurance?
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Dirk Neufang, Motor vehicle appraisers: There are differences among insurers in terms of the amount of compensation in the event of damage. Not every company reimburses at replacement value. Also note that the battery is usually only rented. The settlement of the damage is then carried out between the insurance company and the car manufacturer.
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What are typical insurance damage to the battery?
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Dirk Neufang: Since there are still too few electric vehicles available, it is not yet possible to speak of typical damage. For example, overvoltage on the battery and vehicle electrics or fire or complete failure are conceivable damage that could occur.
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I was rated 70 percent by my new insurance company, even though I had 65 percent and no accident before. Is it okay?
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Christin Kremer, Expert from the Federal Association of German Insurance Merchants: When changing insurers, the premium rate is not passed on to the new insurer, but the no-claims classes, i.e. the number of years that have been driven without any claims and any losses incurred. The contribution rates of the individual insurers are not uniform.
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What does discount protection mean?
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Christin Kremer: Many insurance companies offer so-called discount protection for a surcharge. In the event of a claim, you will remain in the same no-claims class as the year before. However, this usually only applies within the framework of the existing contract and usually does not apply when switching to another provider.
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Can I avoid upgrading by switching insurance?
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Christin Kremer: In the event of a change, the new insurance company is always notified. Unless you pay the damage yourself.
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Is it possible to register my car with my parents?
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Christin Kremer: If your parents are in a cheaper no-claims class, it’s usually worth it. The classification of the damage-free class depends on whether the vehicle is registered as the first vehicle or the second vehicle. The damage-free time can later be offset against your own contract under certain conditions.
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Is the previous fully comprehensive insurance worthwhile for my old car?
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Dirk Neufang: Please ask your insurer for advice on which tariff is best for you. Possibly. fully comprehensive is even cheaper than partially comprehensive.
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Do I need a damage report after an accident?
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Otmar Wagner: As the injured party, you have the right to hire an expert of your choice for damages of EUR 1,000 or more. This is advisable in order to calculate the repair costs neutrally or, if necessary, to estimate the depreciation or residual value. The opposing insurance company assumes the costs.
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Christin Kremer: Data about driving behavior can be recorded with telematics. Those who drive more cautiously have a lower probability of damage and can save on insurance premiums if necessary. Some systems measure factors such as speed, time, acceleration and braking behavior, others also record routes.
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Are modifications to the vehicle electronics necessary for this?
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Christin Kremer: The sensor is glued to the windshield. In order to be able to use the telematics sensor, a connection with the smartphone via cellular network or WiFi is necessary.
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