Car Insurance Austria 2025: Complete Guide to KFZ-Versicherung

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Important Notice: This guide is for general information purposes only and does not constitute individual advice. Prices, conditions, and offers may change at any time. Before purchasing insurance, we recommend checking current conditions directly with the respective provider.

Car Insurance in Austria: Key Information

Car insurance is one of the most important insurances for vehicle owners in Austria. While liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht) is legally required, you can additionally protect your vehicle with comprehensive coverage (Kasko).

The Three Types of Car Insurance

1. Liability Insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht) - Mandatory

Liability insurance is legally required for every registered vehicle in Austria. It protects you from financial consequences when you cause damage to third parties with your vehicle.

What is covered:

• Personal injury to third parties
• Property damage to others
• Financial losses
• Legal defense costs

Minimum coverage limits in Austria:

• Personal injury: at least 7.6 million euros
• Property damage: at least 1.5 million euros

2. Partial Coverage (Teilkasko) - Optional

Partial comprehensive insurance is recommended for vehicles approximately 3 to 6 years old. It covers damages not caused by accidents.

Teilkasko benefits:

• Theft and break-in
• Natural events (hail, storm, lightning, flooding)
• Glass breakage (windshield, side windows)
• Animal collision (wildlife damage)
• Fire and explosion
• Short-circuit damage to wiring
• Marten bite damage

3. Full Coverage (Vollkasko) - Optional

Full comprehensive insurance offers the most comprehensive protection and is particularly recommended for new vehicles (0-3 years old).

Vollkasko additionally covers:

• All Teilkasko benefits
• Self-caused accidents
• Vandalism
• Parking damage by unknown parties
• Hit-and-run by the other party

Insurance Type	Recommended For	Coverage
Liability	All vehicles (Required)	Damage to third parties
Teilkasko	Vehicles 3-6 years	+ Theft, nature, glass, wildlife
Vollkasko	New vehicles 0-3 years	+ Self-caused, vandalism

Recommendations are guidelines. The optimal choice depends on individual factors.

The Bonus-Malus System in Austria

How Does the System Work?

The Austrian Bonus-Malus system comprises 19 levels (0 to 18). The lower your level, the cheaper your premium.

Important rules:

• Starting level: New policyholders typically start at level 9
• Claim-free year: Each year without a claim reduces the level by 1
• When filing a claim: The level increases by 3 levels
• Transferability: The level transfers when switching providers

Level	Percentage	Description
0	~50%	Best level - lowest premium
9	100%	Starting level - base premium
18	~200%	Highest level - highest premium

Exact percentages may vary by insurer.

Factors That Affect Your Premium

Insurance premiums are influenced by approximately 30 different factors. Here are the most important ones:

Vehicle-Related Factors

• Engine power (kW/PS): More powerful vehicles are more expensive to insure
• Vehicle age: Older vehicles have cheaper comprehensive premiums
• Type class: Some models statistically have more claims

Personal Factors

• Driver's age: Young drivers (under 25) pay higher premiums
• Place of residence: Urban areas often more expensive than rural
• Occupation: Some professions receive special conditions
• Driving experience: More experience can mean lower rates

Usage-Related Factors

• Annual mileage: Fewer km = cheaper premium
• Parking location: Garage cheaper than street parking
• Type of use: Private or commercial

How to Save on Car Insurance

1. Compare Providers

Comparing different providers can bring significant savings. Price differences for the same coverage can amount to several hundred euros per year.

2. Choose the Right Coverage

• For older vehicles (6+ years), Teilkasko or just liability may be sufficient
• Check whether the Vollkasko premium is still proportionate to the vehicle value

3. Increase Deductible

A higher deductible lowers the annual premium. Consider how much you can afford to pay out of pocket in case of a claim.

4. Use Discounts

Many insurers offer discounts for:

• Garage parking
• Low mileage (under 10,000 km/year)
• Certain occupational groups
• Driver safety training

5. Review Additional Benefits

Not all additional benefits are useful for everyone. Consider whether you really need roadside assistance or passenger insurance.

Switching Car Insurance: How It Works

Observe Cancellation Deadlines

• Standard cancellation period: 1 month before contract end
• Contract end: Usually at year-end (December 31)
• Cancellation letter: At the latest by November 30 (receipt by insurer)

Special Cancellation Rights

You can cancel extraordinarily in case of:

• Premium increase without improved benefits
• After a claim
• When changing vehicles

Switching Process

1. Review current policy: Cancellation period and contract end
2. Compare offers: Through comparison portals
3. Sign new contract: Online or with an advisor
4. Cancellation: The new insurer usually handles this
5. Registration office: Automatically informed

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance

Do I have to inform my insurance about every accident?

For liability claims (damage to third parties), you must always inform your insurance. For comprehensive claims, you can decide whether to report the damage or pay it yourself - consider the impact on your Bonus-Malus level.

What happens to my insurance when changing vehicles?

When changing vehicles, you can transfer your insurance to the new vehicle or cancel the old contract and take out a new one. Your Bonus-Malus level is retained.

Can I have car insurance for multiple vehicles?

Yes, many insurers offer multi-vehicle discounts. The exact conditions vary by provider.

How does roadside assistance work?

Roadside assistance (Schutzbrief) offers breakdown help and assistance services such as towing, rental car, or overnight accommodation costs. It's available as an add-on option.

Conclusion

Choosing the right car insurance depends on many individual factors. Regular comparison of providers can bring significant savings. Pay attention not only to price but also to benefits and conditions.

Use comparison portals like durchblicker.at to get an overview of current offers and find the insurance that suits your situation.

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute insurance advice. All information on prices, conditions, and benefits is non-binding and may change at any time. For binding information, please contact the respective insurers directly. CheckEverything.at assumes no liability for the currency, accuracy, and completeness of the information.