Car Insurance Austria 2026: Kasko & Bonus-Malus Guide

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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, please check current conditions directly with the respective provider.

Which car insurance do you need in Austria in 2026? Only third-party liability (KFZ-Haftpflicht) is mandatory. The insurance obligation is set by § 1 KHVG, and without proof of insurance you cannot register a vehicle under § 59 KFG. Partial coverage (Teilkasko) and full coverage (Vollkasko) are voluntary and depend on vehicle value, age and your risk profile. The Bonus-Malus system adjusts your premium each year based on claim-free driving.

Key Takeaways:

• Liability insurance is mandatory (§ 1 KHVG). No registration without proof of insurance (§ 59 KFG)
• Bonus-Malus: most insurers use around 18 levels. Each claim-free year lowers the premium, each claim raises it
• Minimum coverage: €7.79 million lump sum per claim, of which €6.45 million for personal injury (since October 2024)
• Teilkasko typically pays off from around 3 years, Vollkasko for new vehicles and leasing
• Cancellation: one month before the main renewal date (often 30 November for a year-end policy)
• Before signing you receive an IPID insurance product information document (EU requirement, in force in Austria since 2019)

Last updated: 25 July 2026 — Editorial: CheckEverything.at Editorial Team

Before the details: if you already want to run tariffs, the car insurance overview for Austria has the tariff calculator and the main providers at a glance. This guide explains the rest: what each building block covers, how the Bonus-Malus system works and what to watch when you switch.

The Three Types of Car Insurance

Car insurance in Austria is built around three blocks. One is mandatory, the other two are optional and chosen by you.

1. Liability Insurance (KFZ-Haftpflicht) — Mandatory

Liability insurance is required for every registered vehicle in Austria. The insurance obligation itself sits in the Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Act (KHVG § 1, RIS); the fact that you need proof of it to register is set by § 59 KFG. Without valid liability cover, you get no number plate.

Liability insurance pays when you cause damage to third parties with your vehicle: personal injury, property damage, or financial loss. It does not cover your own damage.

What's covered:

• Personal injury to third parties (medical costs, pain and suffering, loss of earnings, pension)
• Property damage to others (vehicle, wall, fence, road signs)
• Financial losses (consequential damages without direct physical damage)
• Legal defence costs against unjustified claims

Minimum coverage limits in Austria:

• Lump sum per claim: €7.79 million
• of which personal injury: €6.45 million
• Property and pure financial loss: €1.34 million

These sums were last raised in October 2024 by regulation of the Ministry of Justice and sit above the EU floor. The ÖAMTC and the Chamber of Commerce (WKO) note that the statutory minimum covers most accidents but can be tight in severe multi-victim incidents. Higher cover usually costs little extra, and the Chamber of Labour (AK) advises not to economise here: a generous liability sum matters more than the comprehensive add-ons.

2. Partial Coverage (Teilkasko) — Optional

Teilkasko covers damage caused without your involvement in an accident. It supplements liability and is the typical middle path for vehicles aged roughly three to six years.

Teilkasko benefits (standard scope):

• Theft and break-in
• Natural events (hail, storm, lightning, flooding, avalanche)
• Glass breakage (windscreen, side and rear windows)
• Wildlife collisions
• Fire and explosion
• Short-circuit damage to wiring
• Marten bite including consequential damage (check the deductible)

Some providers market "Teilkasko Plus" or similar. Read the exclusions. Marten consequential damage and gross negligence are the most common edge cases.

3. Full Coverage (Vollkasko) — Optional

Vollkasko offers the most comprehensive protection and usually makes sense (or is contractually required) for new vehicles, leasing or financed cars.

Vollkasko adds on top of Teilkasko:

• Self-caused accidents (even without third-party involvement)
• Vandalism (deliberate damage by others)
• Parking damage by unknown parties
• Hit-and-run by the other party
• Damage from gross negligence (tariff-dependent)

Recommendations are guidelines. The right choice depends on vehicle value, annual mileage and your personal risk profile.

The Bonus-Malus System in Austria

How Does It Work?

The Bonus-Malus system rewards claim-free driving with lower premiums. It applies to the liability premium; Teilkasko and Vollkasko often follow separate provider-specific schemes.

One thing to know: the system is not required by Austrian law. Most insurers use a similar model with around 18 levels (0–17); some run different scales (for example 0–18). New policyholders usually start on a middle level (often level 9), roughly the full base premium. The best level sits at about half the base premium, depending on the insurer. Your individual policy is always decisive.

The basic rule:

• Entry: new policyholders usually start at around 100% of the base premium
• Claim-free year: the level drops one position (cheaper)
• Claim filed: the level rises noticeably (in many tariffs by three positions)
• Transferability: the level is tied to your person and moves when you switch providers

The ARBÖ and the ÖAMTC confirm that your Bonus-Malus level carries over when you switch insurers. Request a claim-free confirmation (Schadenfreiheitsbescheinigung) from your previous insurer to speed up the switch.

Exact percentages and the number of levels vary by insurer and tariff. Your individual policy is always decisive.

Car Insurance Costs by Province

Premiums vary noticeably by region. Vienna and parts of Lower Austria tend to have higher tariffs than Carinthia, Burgenland or rural Styria, thanks to denser traffic and higher theft and parking damage rates.

According to analyses by the Chamber of Labour (AK), drivers in urban areas often pay significantly more than those in rural regions. How big the gap is depends on insurer, vehicle and Bonus-Malus status. Use a current calculator for your specific profile rather than relying on generic averages.

Useful to know:

• Postcode is one of the strongest tariff factors
• A garage parking space often gives a 5–15% discount
• After moving from a city to a rural area, a fresh quote is worth it

The IPID Insurance Product Information Document

Since the EU Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD, Directive 2016/97) took effect in Austria, in force since 2019, insurers must give you a standardised Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) before you sign. It lists benefits, coverage, deductibles and exclusions in a uniform format.

For you, that's a real advantage. You can lay offers side by side without working through differently structured policy wordings. We recommend obtaining this document from at least two providers and going through it point by point, especially deductibles and exclusions. Tariffs that look similar on paper can behave very differently in a claim.

Wechselkennzeichen: One Plate for Several Vehicles

If you own two or three vehicles but only ever drive one at a time, an interchangeable plate (Wechselkennzeichen) can save money. It lets you register up to three vehicles of the same vehicle class under a single plate. Only one vehicle may be in use at any time, and the plate moves between them.

The saving is in the running costs: you pay the motor-related insurance tax (motorbezogene Versicherungssteuer) and the liability premium in full only for the vehicle with the highest premium. The others cost less. Details on registration and the requirements are on oesterreich.gv.at; registration runs through the licensing office (Zulassungsstelle). It often makes sense for a classic car, a convertible as a second car, or a motorbike alongside the car if they share a class.

Car Insurance for Young Drivers

Young drivers pay higher premiums in Austria. Statistics from the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV) show drivers under 25 are disproportionately involved in accidents. Insurers price this risk into the premium.

What young drivers should consider:

• A single claim pushes you up several levels from the entry point
• Young-driver surcharges typically apply until age 25
• Lower-powered vehicles keep the premium realistic
• Some insurers grant discounts for driver safety training (e.g. ÖAMTC training)
• The L17 accompanied-driving programme often improves the tariff

One often-missed lever: many insurers allow you to take over a good Bonus-Malus level from a relative, for example a parent, if their vehicle was recently deregistered. Ask the insurer directly, because for a young driver this can make the biggest difference.

Don't economise on liability. A serious personal injury can cost hundreds of thousands of euros. On older vehicles you can reconsider Teilkasko if you can carry the risk yourself.

Factors That Affect Your Premium

Insurers calculate premiums from around 30 variables. The most important:

Vehicle-Related Factors

• Engine power (kW/PS): more power usually means a higher premium
• Type class (Typklasse): assigned per Versicherungsverband Österreich (VVO) statistics
• Vehicle age: older vehicles are cheaper for comprehensive cover
• Replacement value: decisive for Vollkasko premiums

Personal Factors

• Age: drivers under 25 and over 75 often pay more
• Place of residence / postcode: a strong tariff factor
• Occupation: some professions receive special conditions
• Bonus-Malus level: the biggest single lever on your liability premium

Usage Factors

• Annual mileage: low-mileage drivers pay less
• Parking location: garage cheaper than street
• Type of use: private or commercial

After an Accident: Step by Step

A clear process avoids disputes with your insurer later.

1. Secure the scene: hazard lights, high-vis vest, warning triangle
2. Care for the injured, call 112 for personal injury
3. Police: mandatory for personal injury, recommended if fault is unclear
4. Document: photos of the scene, both vehicles, surroundings
5. Exchange details: name, address, plate, insurer, policy number
6. European Accident Report completed and signed by both parties
7. Report the claim: the statute requires notification "without undue delay" (unverzüglich, § 33 VersVG). Many standard conditions state one week, so follow the shorter deadline in your policy.
8. For Kasko claims: consider whether self-settlement is cheaper than a Bonus-Malus downgrade

How to Save on Car Insurance

1. Check Providers Regularly

An annual tariff check can save several hundred euros. Long-standing customers often pay more than new ones, because loyalty rarely pays off in car insurance.

2. Choose the Right Coverage

• For vehicles older than six years, liability-only or Teilkasko is often enough
• Regularly check the Vollkasko premium against current vehicle value
• If replacement value is below ~€5,000, Vollkasko usually no longer pays off

3. Increase the Deductible

A higher deductible lowers the annual premium. As a rule of thumb, €300 or €500 is a sensible compromise, as long as you can cover it in a claim.

4. Use Discounts

Common discount sources:

• Garage parking
• Low mileage (under 10,000 km/year)
• Occupational discounts
• Driver safety training (ÖAMTC, ARBÖ)
• Workshop network binding

5. Review Additional Benefits

Roadside assistance, passenger insurance, foreign-claim protection: not everyone needs each one. ÖAMTC or ARBÖ members often already have breakdown help covered; a separate Schutzbrief would then be redundant.

Switching Car Insurance: How It Works

Cancellation Deadlines

• Standard notice: one month before the main renewal date
• Renewal date: usually 31 December
• Notice must reach insurer: by 30 November at the latest

For multi-year contracts you have an extra right as a consumer: you can cancel at the end of the third year, and annually after that, with one month's notice (§ 8 VersVG).

Special Cancellation Rights

You can cancel out of cycle in case of:

• Premium increase without improved benefits
• After a claim has been settled
• Vehicle change or sale
• Tariff change by the insurer without your consent

Switching Process (5 steps)

1. Review current policy: note renewal date and notice period
2. Get quotes: through calculators and direct insurer contact
3. Sign new contract: before cancelling the old one
4. Send cancellation: in writing, registered mail recommended
5. Request claim-free confirmation from the previous insurer

Related Topics

If you want to run tariffs directly or own a specific vehicle type:

• Car Insurance Austria — Overview & Tariff Calculator (tariff overview)
• Car Insurance Austria 2026 — the key criteria
• NoVA Calculator Austria 2026/2027 — car registration tax
• Electric Vehicle Insurance Austria 2026
• Motorcycle Insurance Austria — Guide
• Personal Liability Insurance Austria
• Legal Protection Insurance Austria
• Travel Insurance Austria
• Alloy Wheels for Your Car — Buying Guide Austria

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance

What does car insurance cost in Austria?

The premium depends on the vehicle, place of residence, age, annual mileage and your Bonus-Malus level. Even the postcode makes a noticeable difference. Blanket figures mislead, so work out your specific tariff with a current calculator for your profile.

What coverage limit should my liability insurance have?

The statutory minimum is €7.79 million lump sum, of which €6.45 million for personal injury. That covers most accidents, but a severe personal injury can get tight. Higher cover usually costs little extra, so the Chamber of Labour advises not to economise here.

What is a Wechselkennzeichen?

An interchangeable plate lets you register up to three vehicles of the same class under one plate and drive them in turn, with only one in use at a time. You pay tax and liability in full only for the most expensive vehicle. Details are on oesterreich.gv.at; you register at the licensing office.

Do I have to inform my insurance about every accident?

For liability claims you must always notify your insurer. The statute requires notification without undue delay (unverzüglich, § 33 VersVG); many conditions state one week. For Kasko claims you can decide whether to file or pay yourself. Consider the effect on your Bonus-Malus level.

Can I keep my Bonus-Malus level when switching providers?

Yes. The level is tied to your person and moves with you. The new insurer takes over your rating. Request a claim-free confirmation from your previous insurer to speed things up.

What is the IPID document?

The Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) sums up a tariff's benefits, deductibles and exclusions in a uniform format. Insurers must hand it out before you sign, a requirement since 2019. Get it from two providers and compare point by point.

What happens to my insurance when changing vehicles?

You can transfer the policy to the new vehicle or sign a new one. Your Bonus-Malus level is retained in either case, as it is tied to your person, not the vehicle.

When does gross negligence apply and what does it mean for Kasko?

Gross negligence covers cases such as drink-driving, clearly excessive speed or deliberate disregard of traffic rules. Many Vollkasko tariffs exclude such damage or reduce the payout. A few premium tariffs waive this objection.

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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.