Partial or comprehensive coverage—which insurance is the better choice for your car? Many drivers are unsure about which coverage makes sense. While partial coverage applies to theft, glass breakage, and collisions with wildlife, among other things, comprehensive coverage also covers damage caused by the driver themselves and vandalism. We’ll highlight the key differences in coverage, costs, and situations where each is applicable, and explain when each type of collision insurance is worth it.
To protect their own vehicle from damage in addition to mandatory liability insurance , drivers in this country can purchase collision insurance. There are generally two types: partial coverage and comprehensive coverage.
At the latest when buying a vehicle or switching insurance providers, many vehicle owners ask themselves what the differences are between the two policies and which coverage is worth it in their individual case. Below, you’ll learn what each type of comprehensive insurance covers, how much the prices differ, and what other factors play a role in your choice.
This is what partial comprehensive coverage covers
Partial comprehensive coverage protects vehicle owners against damage to the car caused by external factors. These include:
- Fire, explosion, and short circuits
- Theft and robbery
- Glass breakage caused by stone chips
- Damage caused by martens
- Weather-related damage from storms, hail, and flooding
- Accidents involving wildlife
Depending on the insurance plan, additional coverage may also be included, such as protection against consequential damages.
What additional coverage does comprehensive insurance offer?
Comprehensive coverage includes all the benefits of partial coverage. Unlike a partial policy, however, it also covers damage, even if you caused it yourself. Typical benefits covered by comprehensive insurance include:
- Accidents caused by the insured, up to a total loss
- Vandalism
- Hit-and-run by third parties
What role does auto liability insurance play?
While comprehensive and partial coverage differ in the scope of coverage for your own car, neither covers damage to others . That is what the legally required auto liability insurance is for. It is a prerequisite for registering a vehicle and covers, among other things:
- All personal injuries incurred, such as compensation for pain and suffering
- Property damage to third-party vehicles
- Financial losses and economic damages
What additional benefits are available depending on the plan
The scope of coverage and the costs covered may vary depending on the insurance plan. Certain insurance plans, for example, may include extended coverage options. It is therefore worth comparing different insurance providers and their benefits.
Partial or Comprehensive Coverage: How Much Do They Cost?
Why Comprehensive Coverage Is Usually More Expensive
Compared to partial coverage, comprehensive coverage offers a broader scope of benefits and is therefore often the more expensive option. This is shown by current data from the German Insurance Association (GDV). According to this data, the average annual premiums for comprehensive coverage in 2024 were 369 euros, while those for partial coverage were 88 euros.
However, there are also cases where comprehensive coverage can be cheaper. This is because, unlike with limited coverage, so-called no-claims classes play a role here.
Here’s how it works: For every accident-free year, drivers receive a higher discount on their insurance premium. So if you’ve been driving accident-free for many years, comprehensive coverage can be cheaper in the best-case scenario. However, if you’re involved in an accident resulting in damage, you may be downgraded, which in turn can increase your premium.
These factors influence the price
The final price of partial or comprehensive coverage depends on various factors. These include, for example, the age and number of insured drivers. Other factors that influence the price include:
- Place of residence of the policyholder (regional class)
- Vehicle model (type class)
- Annual mileage
- Age and number of insured drivers
- No-claims class for comprehensive coverage
- Parking location of the vehicle, such as a garage or on the street
- Use of the car, for example, private or business
- Payment method, such as monthly or annually
Deductible: How It Affects Costs
The deductible also plays an important role. This refers to the portion of the claim costs that the insured person must cover themselves after an accident. The higher you set the deductible, the lower your insurance premium may be.
As a general rule: The higher the deductible, the lower your insurance premium usually is. The reason is that, as the policyholder, you bear a larger portion of the financial risk yourself. For partial coverage, typical deductibles are often 150 or 300 euros, while for comprehensive coverage, amounts between 300 and 1,000 euros are common.
A low deductible—or no deductible at all—leads to higher ongoing premiums. This can make sense if you want to keep your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible in the event of a claim, for example, with a new or high-value vehicle.
It is therefore crucial to weigh your options carefully. A high deductible can be worthwhile if you can easily cover minor damages yourself and, in return, want to lower your insurance premium. However, if you expect to file claims more frequently or prefer financial planning security, a lower deductible may be the better choice.
When Is Comprehensive Auto Insurance Worth It?
Which type of comprehensive auto insurance makes sense always depends on the specific vehicle and your personal insurance coverage needs. However, there are factors that can help you make a decision. These include, for example, the age and residual value of the vehicle.
When Comprehensive Auto Insurance Is Worth It
Comprehensive insurance makes the most sense for higher-end vehicles and new cars . The reason for this is the vehicle’s typically high value. With comprehensive coverage, the vehicle is insured not only against external factors but also against damage caused by the driver’s own fault, which means that expensive damage to your own car can be covered.
This more comprehensive coverage can also be worthwhile for frequent drivers or vehicles used by multiple drivers. If the vehicle is financed or leased, comprehensive insurance also makes sense to protect against potential repair costs. In many cases, it is even mandatory.
When Partial Coverage Is Worth It
Once the vehicle reaches a certain age, switching to partial coverage may make sense. A period of five years or more is often cited as a guideline. Although the car still has a significant residual value at this age, the vehicle owner may be better able to cover potential damages out of pocket. A vehicle age of about five years or more is frequently cited as a rough guideline. However, it’s not just the age that matters—the key question is whether comprehensive coverage is still worth it given the residual value and the insurance premiums.
For particularly old cars that no longer have a high residual value, even the legally required automobile liability insurance may be sufficient.
These questions will help you make a decision
Whether partial or comprehensive coverage is the better choice for you generally depends on your individual situation as well as the value and age of your vehicle.
The following questions can help you assess this:
- How old is your vehicle, and what is its current residual value?
- How much would you lose financially in the event of an accident you caused or a total loss?
- How important is it to you to have the most comprehensive coverage possible for your vehicle, especially in the event of damage you cause yourself?
- What annual budget do you want to set aside for auto insurance?
- Is your vehicle financed or leased, and are there any contractual requirements regarding insurance (comprehensive coverage is often mandatory)?
- What is the general risk of damage—for example, depending on driving experience, driving environment (city/countryside), and frequency of use?
Canceling and Switching Comprehensive Insurance: Here’s How
If you want to switch your comprehensive insurance, there are a few important points to consider beforehand.
Compare suitable offers: Use comparison websites to find trustworthy providers and plans that fit your needs.
Check cancellation details: If you want to switch your existing policy, you should first check how long your current policy has left to run. This is because, without a specific reason for cancellation, you can generally only cancel at the end of the policy term.
Observe the cancellation period: Car insurance contracts typically run until the end of the year. A one-month cancellation period generally applies, which you should keep in mind. If you miss this deadline, the contract is usually automatically renewed.
Formally cancel the policy: If both the conditions and the deadline are met, you can actively cancel the policy with the insurer. You can do this, for example, by email or by mail using an appropriate cancellation template that already has all the important details pre-filled.
Practical Template
At a Glance
Partial coverage and comprehensive coverage are two types of optional auto insurance that can be purchased in addition to mandatory liability insurance. While partial coverage protects against damage to the vehicle such as fire, theft, broken glass, or damage caused by martens, comprehensive coverage also provides protection in the event of accidents caused by the insured, vandalism, and hit-and-run incidents involving third parties.
Comprehensive coverage is generally more expensive than partial coverage. However, premiums can be reduced by maintaining a high no-claims class and choosing an appropriate deductible. Which type of coverage makes sense in each individual case depends, among other things, on the age and residual value of the vehicle.
