SF class after an accident in Germany: how the downgrade works and when to pay the claim yourself
An accident often costs you twice: first the damage, then a higher premium for years. If your motor liability (Haftpflicht) or fully comprehensive cover (Vollkasko) pays for a claim, your SF class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse, the German no-claims class) is downgraded at the next turn of the year – the German term is Rückstufung. How far you drop depends on your insurer's downgrade table. For smaller claims you can often avoid the downgrade by paying the amount back yourself. This guide explains how it works, which cases don't count and how to do the maths.
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How the downgrade works
- Only liability and Vollkasko: these two types of cover have SF classes, and each is tracked separately. An accident you cause where both policies pay usually means two downgrades. Teilkasko (partial cover) has no SF class and no downgrade.
- On 1 January: your insurer re-rates the policy every 1 January based on the previous calendar year. What counts is the day the claim was reported, not the day of the accident (model terms AKB I.3).
- Number, not size: the table depends on how many claims you had in the calendar year, not how expensive they were. A small parking scrape can trigger the same downgrade as a costly rear-end collision.
- Every insurer has its own table: the model terms published by the German insurers' association (GDV) leave the values blank. Each insurer sets its own figures.
Example: downgrade after one claim
The table below is an extract from the published car downgrade table of one direct insurer (Verti). Other insurers downgrade differently, so treat the figures as a guide only.
| Before | After 1 claim: liability | After 1 claim: Vollkasko | After 2 claims: liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF 25 | SF 13 | SF 16 | SF 3 |
| SF 20 | SF 10 | SF 12 | SF 2 |
| SF 15 | SF 7 | SF 9 | SF 1 |
| SF 10 | SF 4 | SF 5 | SF ½ |
| SF 5 | SF 1 | SF 1 | 0 |
| SF 3 | SF ½ | SF ½ | M |
| SF 1 | SF ½ | 0 | M |
| SF ½ | 0 | 0 | M |
What this means: in this example, a driver in SF 10 who reports a liability claim drops to SF 4. Since you normally climb only one class per claim-free year, it then takes six claim-free years to get back to SF 10. What that costs in euros depends on the premium rates in your tariff: SF class table with typical rates.
When a reported claim does not lead to a downgrade
The model terms (AKB I.4.1.2) list cases in which the year still counts as claim-free, including:
- The other side pays everything back: the party at fault or their liability insurer fully reimburses your insurer – for example if you first used your Vollkasko and it later turns out the other driver was solely to blame.
- A Teilkasko event paid by Vollkasko: if your Vollkasko pays for something covered by Teilkasko (such as broken glass, storm or a collision with game animals), there is no downgrade.
- A reserve released without payment: if the insurer only set aside a reserve and releases it within the next three calendar years without paying, the year counts as claim-free.
- Expert and legal costs alone are not counted as a payment.
Paying the claim yourself (buy-back)
You can avoid a downgrade in motor liability by voluntarily reimbursing your insurer for what it paid. Under the model terms (AKB I.5):
- After settling the claim, the insurer tells you the amount it paid if it was not more than 500 euros. For larger amounts, ask for the figure yourself.
- If you repay the amount within six months of that notice, the policy is treated as claim-free.
- If the insurer has to pay more later, the amount you need to repay does not increase.
Whether a buy-back is also possible for larger amounts or in Vollkasko depends on your insurer's terms. Some terms also let you settle small property damage directly with the other party up to a set amount (AKB E.1.2.2). You generally still have to report the accident to your insurer within one week – a later buy-back remains possible.
Is a buy-back worth it? How to calculate
- Ask for the amount: how much has the insurer paid?
- Find your new SF class: which class would you drop to according to the table?
- Work out the extra premium per year: premium with the new class minus premium without the downgrade, for every year until you would have reached your old class again. Many insurers will calculate this for you on request.
- Compare: if the total extra premium is higher than the amount to repay, buying back usually makes sense. Keep in mind that switching insurer does not remove the downgrade – the new insurer takes over your actual claims record.
For Vollkasko claims, your deductible also comes into play. For small damage to your own car it is often cheaper to pay the repair entirely yourself and not claim at all.
Discount protection and switching after an accident
Discount protection (Rabattschutz) is a tariff option: one claim per year does not lead to a downgrade with your current insurer. If you switch later, however, the new insurer will usually rate your record as if the protection had never existed. After a settled claim, both you and your insurer also have a special right to cancel: special cancellation right. What to do right after the crash: car accident in Germany – what to do.
Frequently asked questions about the SF class after an accident
How far will my SF class drop after an accident?
It depends on your current class and your insurer's table. In one published table, for example, liability drops from SF 10 to SF 4 after one claim.
When does the downgrade take effect?
On 1 January of the following year. The year in which the claim was reported counts; the new class applies from your first premium due date in the new year.
Will a Teilkasko claim downgrade me?
No. Teilkasko has no SF class. Even if your Vollkasko pays for a typical Teilkasko event, the model terms do not provide for a downgrade.
What if the accident was not my fault?
Then the other driver's liability insurer pays for your damage and your SF class stays the same. If fault is shared, your liability insurer pays a share and you will be downgraded.
How long do I have to buy back a claim?
Under the model terms, six months from the insurer's notice that the claim has been settled and how much was paid.
Next step
After a downgrade, comparing quotes with your new SF class is especially worthwhile. Compare car insurance by PLZ
Note: General information without guarantee; not legal or insurance advice. Downgrade tables, buy-back limits and discount protection differ between insurers, and the terms (AKB) of your policy always take precedence. Last updated: October 2026.