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With a few exceptions, trailer insurance is a must for all car trailers - regardless of whether it is a three-way tipper or box trailer, braked or unbraked. But what insurance options are there, what costs are involved and what should be considered when insuring a trailer? We have summarised some interesting facts about trailer insurance for you:

Why does a trailer need its own motor vehicle insurance?

In Germany, trailer insurance has been a legal requirement since 2002. This means that motor vehicle liability insurance for the towing vehicle alone is no longer sufficient. But why did this legal change come about in the first place? The reason is that it often proved difficult to settle claims in the event of serious accidents involving trailers and damage caused by a stationary trailer. The independent trailer insurance is intended to ensure that the owner of the trailer is liable for damage to third parties and not the owner of the towing vehicle

Incidentally, the insurance obligation also applies to trailers with green registration plates. The green number plate only affects the vehicle taxes, but not the trailer insurance. More on the subject of "green number plate for trailers" can be found here.

 

What types of trailer insurance are there? 

Types of trailer insurance

 

  • Motor vehicle liability insurance: Compulsory insurance required by law 
  • Partial accidental damage insurance: Additional insurance in case of damage to or loss of a trailer 
  • Comprehensive insurance: All-round cover in the event of vandalism and self-inflicted accidents  

Third-party insurance is legally required for the use of your car trailer in road traffic. In addition, you can also take out partial or fully comprehensive insurance. Partial casco covers you against theft, fire, glass breakage or natural forces, for example. Fully comprehensive insurance also covers the costs of damage to your trailer caused by yourself. This insurance cover is therefore particularly recommended for new and high-priced trailers. 

Overview of trailer insurance benefits

Insurance coverage

Liability

Partial cover

Fully comprehensive insurance 

Property damage and financial loss

Up to € 100 million 

- 

- 

Personal injury

Up to €15 million*

- 

- 

Glass breakage damage

x 

 

 

Theft

x 

 

 

Fire and explosion

x 

 

 

Forces of nature

x 

 

 

Collision with animals

x 

 

 

Cable short circuit (incl. consequential damage to the trailer*)

x 

 

 

Game damage / marten bites (incl. consequential damage to the trailer*) 

x 

 

 

(Self-inflicted) accident damage

x 

x 

 

Willful damage by strangers / vandalism

x 

x 

 

Damage due to tyre burst

x 

x 

 

Damage due to trailer transport on ship

x 

x 

 

*Sum/benefit may vary depending on insurance provider. 

 

How much does trailer insurance cost?


The cost of trailer insurance is much lower compared to car insurance. Thus, the risk of damage to the trailer itself is considered much lower. Third-party insurance is usually available for as little as €12 to €50 per year. You can take out additional partial cover insurance from €75 and fully comprehensive insurance from €100 per year.

The amount of the premium for trailer insurance is calculated based on several factors, including the type of trailer (truck or car) and the new price of the trailer. The higher the new price of your trailer, the higher the premium for partial or fully comprehensive insurance will be. Furthermore, a distinction is made between commercial and private use. The costs for insuring a trailer can be calculated quite easily with an insurance calculator based on these characteristics.

In addition to the cost of insuring your trailer, there is also the motor vehicle tax contribution, for example, this is around €29 per year for a 750 kg trailer and €52 for a 1,300 kg trailer. You can read how the motor vehicle tax is calculated here.

 

Special features at a glance: What should I bear in mind for trailer insurance?  

  1. No no-claims bonus classes 

Unlike car insurance, trailer insurance does not have a no-claims bonus. This means that the insurance premium is always calculated at 100% and consequently the premium does not increase in the event of a claim.

      2. The same insurance provider for towing vehicle and trailer  

Although trailer insurance is a separate insurance, many insurance companies require that the towing vehicle is insured with the same insurance company as the trailer.  

     3. Insurance offer may vary 

Comprehensive insurance is not offered by all insurance companies for trailers - the same applies to trailers with a green licence plate.  

You can read about the other criteria you should look for in trailer insurance and when concluding a contract here.

 

Are there also trailers that do not need to be insured?

Since some trailers are not subject to registration, they do not need trailer insurance for this reason. These trailers must have a licence plate, but they are not subject to compulsory insurance and tax.

The following trailers are exempt from compulsory insurance: 

  • Trailers for sporting purposes, e.g. boat or horse trailers. 
  • Trailers for agriculture and forestry 


These trailers, if coupled to the towing vehicle, are insured with it. 

Even if these trailers are not subject to compulsory insurance, it is still advisable in most cases to take out liability insurance. This is because there is a risk even if the trailer is not covered by the insurance of the towing vehicle, e.g. if a trailer parked on a slope becomes unattached and causes damage.

We summarise: If you own a car trailer that is subject to registration, you must insure it with third-party liability insurance. The costs depend on the scope of insurance (third party, partial and fully comprehensive) as well as the type of trailer and use and the replacement value of the trailer.