Switching car insurance: what you should know by 30 November

Every autumn the same question comes up: is my car insurance still right for me? Here you can read when you can cancel, what matters when you switch and what you should check beforehand.

Uygar Vural, SIGNAL IDUNA insurance in Cologne · Updated: 13 October 2026

The key date: 30 November

For most car insurance policies, the insurance year ends on 31 December. The notice period (Kündigungsfrist) is one month. Your cancellation must therefore reach the insurer by 30 November at the latest. The new policy then applies from 1 January.

You can see whether this applies to you in your policy document (Versicherungsschein). If it shows a different expiry date, your cancellation must reach the insurer at least one month before that date.

When you can also switch outside this deadline

• Your insurer increases the premium without improving the cover. You can then usually cancel within one month of being notified. This does not apply if the premium only rises because you were downgraded after a claim of your own or because you drive more kilometres.
• After a claim, both sides have the right to cancel. This right applies for one month after the insurer has paid or refused to pay.
• You buy a different car. For the new vehicle, you can choose your insurer freely and take your no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) with you.

Do not just look at the premium

A low premium is of little use if something is missing when you make a claim. So always look at the cover as well. Important points include, for example:

• How high is the cover limit for third-party liability (Haftpflicht)?
• Is damage caused by martens biting through cables covered, including consequential damage?
• How long does new-for-old compensation (Neuwertentschädigung) apply to a new car?
• Does the insurer waive reductions for gross negligence, for example when someone drives through a red light?
• Is there breakdown and recovery cover (Schutzbrief), including towing?

Your no-claims discount moves with you

Your no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) belongs to you, not to the insurer. When you switch, the new insurer requests your class from the old one. So you do not start from scratch.

First secure the new offer. Then cancel the old policy in good time, by letter or email. The new policy must apply from 1 January so that your car is insured without a gap.

How we go about it together

Send me your current policy document by email or as a photo via WhatsApp. I look at the cover and the premium and calculate a SIGNAL IDUNA quote for you. Then I tell you honestly whether switching is worthwhile for you. If it is, I also help you with the cancellation.

This article gives a general overview. Exactly what is covered is set out in the terms and conditions of the plan. I am a tied insurance agent (gebundener Versicherungsvertreter) and exclusively arrange products of the SIGNAL IDUNA Group.