Driving Offences in Germany That Can Increase Your Vehicle Insurance Premium

Germany is known for its world-class autobahns, rigorous driving standards, and a generally law-abiding motoring population. But what many policyholders fail to realize is that even minor driving offences can lead to noticeable increases in vehicle insurance premiums. As a licensed insurance broker with 10 years of experience in Germany and a previous 3-year stint in Switzerland, I’ve worked with countless drivers who only discovered the consequences of their driving behaviour when their renewal premiums skyrocketed.

In this article, we will explore the most common driving offences in Germany that can raise your vehicle insurance premium. We’ll also explain how insurers assess risk, how your driving record interacts with your policy, and what you can do to lower your risk profile. If you’re looking to understand the real impact of traffic violations on your wallet, this is the guide you need.

How Driving Offences Affect Insurance in Germany

Before diving into specific offences, it’s important to understand how insurance companies in Germany assess risk. Vehicle insurers assign a risk category or “Schadenfreiheitsklasse” (SF class) to every driver. This SF class determines your premium and is influenced by how many years you’ve driven without causing a claimable accident. But it also takes into account serious violations recorded in the German driving penalty register (Verkehrszentralregister) maintained by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA).

When you commit a traffic offence, particularly one that involves danger to others or property damage, your SF class can drop. Consequently, your car insurance provider sees you as a higher risk and may raise your premium accordingly. In 2024, statistics from GDV (Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft) revealed that drivers with at least one traffic offence paid on average 22% more in premiums.

Driving Offences in Germany That Can Raise Your Vehicle Insurance Premium

Let’s break down the most frequent traffic violations in Germany and their potential insurance implications. Remember, not all offences are treated equally. Some might only slightly influence your premium, while others can lead to policy cancellation or refusal of coverage.

1. Speeding (Geschwindigkeitsüberschreitung)

Speeding remains one of the top causes of accidents in Germany. Although some sections of the autobahn are free of limits, speed limits apply in urban areas, construction zones, and during poor weather. If you’re caught driving significantly over the limit—especially more than 21 km/h over—you’ll receive points in Flensburg and may face higher insurance costs.

Repeat offenders are often reclassified by insurers into a higher risk bracket, especially if speed was a factor in a past claim.

2. Driving Under the Influence (Alkohol am Steuer)

Germany has strict blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits. For new drivers and commercial drivers, the limit is 0.0%. For experienced drivers, it’s 0.5‰. Getting caught over the limit can result in hefty fines, license suspension, and criminal charges. More importantly, it can increase your insurance premiums by over 40%, or in some cases, void your coverage entirely.

Insurers consider DUI one of the most serious violations due to its high correlation with fatal accidents.

3. Using a Mobile Phone While Driving (Handy am Steuer)

Although seemingly minor, using a mobile phone while driving is increasingly seen as a major risk factor. In 2023, distracted driving caused over 13,000 accidents in Germany. Fines start at €100, but the real penalty can be seen in your insurance premium.

Several insurers now treat mobile phone usage violations as indicators of careless driving, which raises your risk profile.

4. Running a Red Light (Rotlichtverstoß)

Disregarding traffic lights is a serious offence. If the light was red for longer than one second, it is treated as a major violation. Offenders often receive points in Flensburg, and it’s not uncommon to see a 15-20% increase in premiums.

Worse still, if this behaviour causes an accident, insurers might reduce the compensation or refuse to renew your policy.

5. Driving Without Valid Insurance (Fahren ohne Versicherungsschutz)

Driving without insurance is illegal in Germany. If you are caught, not only do you face legal charges and vehicle impoundment, but your chances of getting affordable insurance in the future drop significantly.

Insurance companies share data, and once you are marked as high risk, expect much higher premiums or outright rejections.

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6. Illegal Overtaking or Tailgating (Drängeln und rechts überholen)

Tailgating on the autobahn is common but illegal, as is overtaking on the right. Both are taken very seriously. The KBA assigns points for these offences, and some insurers classify these drivers as aggressive, automatically raising premiums by as much as 25%.

7. Hit and Run (Unfallflucht)

Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it is a criminal offence in Germany. Even if no one is hurt, the act itself is enough to void your insurance claim and lead to criminal charges.

Insurance companies are rarely forgiving with this kind of behaviour. You may be dropped from coverage completely or see a premium hike of up to 50% if reinsured.

8. Reckless or Dangerous Driving (Gefährdung des Straßenverkehrs)

This includes behaviours like racing on public roads, weaving through traffic, or ignoring road conditions. These offences almost always lead to increased insurance premiums and possibly suspension of your driving license.

The average premium increase in 2024 for such drivers was €380 per year, according to Allianz’s internal underwriting data.

How Long Do Offences Stay on Your Record in Germany?

Most traffic offences remain on your record at the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt for between 2 and 10 years, depending on severity. Insurance companies may look back over a 5-year period when assessing your risk category. So even if you’ve changed insurers, your past mistakes might still affect your premium.

Can You Lower Your Premium After a Driving Offence?

Fortunately, all is not lost. While driving offences do impact your insurance, there are steps you can take to restore your record and lower your premiums:

• Take Defensive Driving Courses: Some insurers offer premium discounts to drivers who complete recognized safety courses.
• Avoid Repeat Offences: Insurers reward consistent, safe driving. Just one clean year post-offence can start to reduce your premium.
• Switch to Telematics Policies: Usage-based insurance allows insurers to track how safely you drive. If you’re genuinely safe, your premium could drop significantly even after a previous offence.

What Is the Government Doing to Help?

Germany’s federal transport authorities have increased public awareness campaigns and digitized driving offence records for transparency. The Verkehrszentralregister (VZR) allows authorities and insurers to work with updated records, making it easier to identify high-risk drivers.

Additionally, the introduction of telematics and the push for AI in risk modelling is helping insurers reward safe behaviour more accurately.

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Conclusion: Safe Driving Pays Off

Driving offences in Germany do more than just cost you a fine; they can significantly increase your vehicle insurance premium. From speeding and mobile phone use to more serious violations like DUI or hit-and-run incidents, every offence sends a signal to your insurer about your level of risk.

As a licensed insurance broker with a decade of experience in Germany and a background in Switzerland, I always advise clients to treat traffic laws as more than legal obligations—they’re financially wise decisions. Not only will you stay safer on the roads, but you’ll also save hundreds of euros annually.

If you’re unsure how your driving record is affecting your premium or need help switching to a more forgiving insurer, feel free to reach out. Remember: staying informed is just as important as staying insured.

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