Switching car insurance in Germany by 30 November: deadline and steps
Every autumn, German car insurers send out the premium notice for the coming year. If you want a better deal, one date matters more than any other: 30 November. For most policies, your cancellation must reach the current insurer by then so the contract ends on 31 December and your new cover starts on 1 January. In 2026, 30 November falls on a Monday.
This guide explains who the deadline applies to, the order in which to do things and what options remain if you miss it.
Car Insurance — Request a Quote
Compare before the deadline: Enter your German postcode (PLZ) and check quotes for a 1 January start – free and non-binding. Have your latest premium notice ready; it shows your SF class and current premium.
Why 30 November?
Most German car insurance contracts run for one year and renew automatically unless someone cancels. Under the model conditions published by the German Insurance Association (GDV), known as the AKB, ordinary notice must arrive at least one month before the end of the insurance year. For most policies the insurance year is the calendar year, which makes 30 November the cut-off.
What counts is when the notice reaches the insurer, not when you posted it. A letter that arrives on 1 December is usually too late for the change of year.
Does the deadline apply to your policy?
Not every contract follows the calendar year. Some insurers use a different insurance year, for example starting on the date the car was registered. In that case the one-month notice applies before that individual end date. Check your policy schedule (Versicherungsschein) or premium notice:
- Renewal date (Hauptfälligkeit) of 1 January: the 30 November deadline usually applies.
- Different renewal date: if the insurance year ends on 30 April, for example, notice must arrive by 31 March.
- Policies taken out mid-year: these often run to the end of the calendar year first – your contract terms decide.
Step by step: switching for 1 January
- Check your premium notice: Insurers often send it in October or November. Note your SF class (separate for liability and fully comprehensive cover), premium, excess and add-ons.
- Compare like for like: Keep car, annual mileage, named drivers and cover identical at first, then change one factor at a time. Our guide to car insurance costs in Germany explains the main price factors.
- Take out the new policy – and wait for acceptance: Insurers may decline applications for Teilkasko and Vollkasko. Only cancel the old policy once the new insurer has confirmed acceptance, so there is no gap in cover.
- Cancel on time: Some insurers offer a cancellation service and send the notice for you. Otherwise you cancel yourself – see our cancellation letter template.
- Keep proof: Use a method that lets you prove the notice arrived, and keep the insurer's confirmation.
- Take your SF class with you: The new insurer normally requests your claims history from the previous one. Details: transferring your SF class.
You do not need to deregister the car. The new insurer reports the policy to the registration authority electronically.
Autumn timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| October to early November | Check the premium notice, note your SF class, compare quotes |
| By mid-November | Apply for the new policy and wait for acceptance |
| By late November | Send notice so that it arrives by 30 November |
| December | Check the cancellation confirmation and new policy schedule |
| 1 January | New cover starts, old policy ends |
Missed the deadline?
You may still have options after 30 November. If the insurer raises your premium without improving cover, you usually have a special cancellation right and can cancel within one month of receiving the notice. Cancelling is also possible after a claim has been settled. See special cancellation rights in German car insurance. Without such a reason, the next regular renewal date usually applies.
Is switching worth it?
Not automatically. Besides the price, compare the claim downgrade table, liability limit, excess, approved-repairer clauses and benefits such as a waiver of the gross negligence defence. Ways to cut the premium are listed in how to lower your German car insurance premium. General switching advice: switch car insurance in Germany.
Frequently asked questions about the 30 November deadline
Does the notice have to arrive by 30 November?
Yes. What matters is receipt by the insurer. If you post a letter, allow enough time and use a method that proves delivery.
Does 30 November apply to every car insurance policy?
No. It applies to policies whose insurance year ends on 31 December. With a different insurance year, the notice period ends one month before that date.
Do I have to deregister my car to switch?
No. The car stays registered and the new insurer notifies the registration authority.
Should I cancel first or take out the new policy first?
Take out the new policy first and wait for acceptance, then cancel. This avoids a gap in cover.
What if I miss the deadline?
The contract usually renews for another year. You can then only switch with a special cancellation right, for example after a premium increase or a claim.
Next step
Check your premium notice and compare quotes with the same details well before 30 November. Compare car insurance quotes by PLZ
Note: General information without guarantee; not legal or insurance advice. Your policy schedule and your insurer's terms (AKB) always take precedence. Last updated: October 2026.