Partial or comprehensive casco, which one fits your car?
In short
As a rule of thumb, comprehensive casco mainly pays off for new and leased cars.
Partial casco pays damage to your car that you do not cause yourself, such as hail, theft or stone martens. Comprehensive casco also pays when you cause an accident yourself.
GuideTo the answer in a few questions
Which car insurance fits?
Liability is compulsory. Whether you also need partial or comprehensive casco depends mainly on the car.
All answers at a glance
Is your car leased? Yes
Comprehensive casco. With leasing, the contract usually requires comprehensive casco. The car belongs to the leasing company, which wants its value secured.
How old is your car? Up to 4 years
Comprehensive casco usually pays off. With a new car the value is high. An accident that is your fault would cost you a lot.
How old is your car? 5 to 7 years
Partial casco is often enough. The value falls. Partial casco covers hail, theft, glass and stone martens. You then pay a collision that is your fault yourself.
How old is your car? Older than 7 years
Liability is often enough. With an older car the value is usually low. Think about whether you could bear a total loss yourself. If not, keep partial casco.
Rule of thumb according to the TCS. What matters is which damage you could bear yourself. Not advice.
Want to know more?
What does each insurance cover?
| Damage | Liability | Partial casco | Comprehensive casco |
|---|---|---|---|
| You damage another car | Yes | ||
| You injure a person | Yes | ||
| Hail, storm, flood | Yes | Yes | |
| Theft, fire, glass breakage | Yes | Yes | |
| Stone martens and animals | Yes | Yes | |
| You drive into a wall yourself | Yes |
Comprehensive casco always includes the benefits of partial casco as well.
How do you decide?
Ask yourself one question. Could you pay for a total loss yourself? If yes, partial casco or even just liability is often enough. If no, you need comprehensive casco.
After the hail of 28 August 2026, more than 100,000 vehicles were affected. Anyone who only had liability bears this damage themselves. Partial casco is therefore often worth considering even for older cars.
What many people get wrong
- “Liability covers my car.” Wrong. It only covers damage to others.
- “Comprehensive casco means everything is paid.” There are excesses, and with gross negligence, such as alcohol, the insurer may reduce payment.
- “A partial casco claim raises the premium.” As a rule not. A malus usually follows only after liability and collision claims.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to have casco?
No, only liability is compulsory. For a leased car, however, the leasing contract usually requires comprehensive casco.
What is a current value extension?
For the first years many insurers offer compensation above the current value. In a total loss you then receive more than the current market value.
When should I switch from comprehensive to partial casco?
When you could bear a total loss that is your fault yourself. As a rule of thumb the TCS gives an age of about five to seven years.
What comes next?
Your path · I am on the move Step 3 of 8
Your next step How do bonus and malus work in car insurance?Sources and date 2 October 2026
This page explains in general terms and does not replace personal advice. Law and your policy are what counts.