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Full casco and partial casco car insurance: which do I need?
Partial and full casco car insurance are only worthwhile to a certain point. Comparis explains when each type of insurance makes sense.
14.11.2023
iStock/sabthai
1. Partial casco vs. full casco: what are the differences?
The difference between full and partial casco lies in how damage is caused to your vehicle. Partial casco insurance covers damage caused by a third party.
Full casco insurance consists of partial casco and collision casco. The latter covers damage to the car that you caused yourself. This means that full casco insurance covers most types of damage that can occur to your car.
| Cover | Partial casco insurance | Full casco insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Damage caused by rodents and martens | ✓ | ✓ |
| Glass breakage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Theft | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fire | ✓ | ✓ |
| Damage due to natural hazards | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collisions with wild animals | ✓ | ✓ |
| Acts of vandalism | ✓ (scratching excluded) | ✓ |
| Damage to your own vehicle due to collision | × | ✓ |
Overview of insurance models
The following interactive graphic shows the differences between liability, partial casco and full casco insurance.
You can also take out optional add-ons to your casco insurance policies. These can include no-claims bonus protection or replacement value supplement. Read our car insurance overview to see what other add-ons are available.
Good to know: unlike casco insurance, liability insurance is obligatory. You must take out this insurance even if you have a very old car.
Comparing pays off
Do you know what kind of car insurance you want to take out? Compare multiple providers directly on Comparis to find the right deal for you.
2. When is partial casco worth it? When do I need full casco insurance?
Both insurance options have their pros and cons. Before you decide, think about what you need and how you use your car.
Full casco insurance is expensive. It’s usually only worthwhile if your car is new or very expensive to replace. This is because a new car loses value quickly, especially in the first few years. If you lease a car, however, full casco is usually obligatory, meaning you have no choice here.
Comparis tip
If you don’t have enough saved to pay for any damages caused by a collision or to replace your car if you had to, you should take out full casco insurance regardless of your vehicle’s age.
Should I switch from full to partial casco?
Partial casco insurance costs less than full casco, but doesn’t give you comprehensive cover. Generally speaking, if your car is four or more years old, partial casco is enough. If you drive a particularly expensive car, you can wait a little longer before switching.
Compare premiums to determine your potential savings. Your needs and the way you drive are important to keep in mind, however.
Comparis tip
Would you like to change from full casco to partial casco? Switching with policies with your current insurer is usually easy. Just notify the insurance company that you want to change. They will then generally provide you with a new quote.
Up to what age is partial casco insurance a good idea for a car?
It doesn’t always make sense to take out partial casco insurance for an old car. Generally speaking, partial casco insurance is worthwhile up to and including its seventh year. Whether or not you should keep partial casco cover depends on how you use your car, where you park it, what it’s worth, and what sense of security you need.
Comparis tip
If you don’t have enough saved to pay for collision damage or replace your car if you had to, you might want to consider switching from partial casco to full casco insurance.
3. Contract term length for full and partial casco insurance
When you buy a car, many insurance companies restart the term length for your insurance contract. For example: did you take out a three-year contract two years ago? If so, you will be tied to the contract for another three years if you buy a new car. Request the right to cancel your amended policy annually.
Compare the offers from different car insurance companies. You may get a better deal from another company.
More rights thanks to revised Insurance Policies Act
At the beginning of 2022, adjustments were made to the Insurance Policies Act. The latest revision gives more rights to policyholders. For example, five-year contracts are no longer permitted. The most important changes can be found in our article on amendments to the Insurance Policies Act (only available in German).
This article was first published on 24.02.2016
