Vehicle type classes (Typklassen) for 2027 are the annually recalculated ratings of car models in German motor insurance. They show how many and how costly claims a model causes compared with other models. This guide explains how the rating arises, what the 2027 figures say and what they mean for your premium, and what they do not.
In short: The type class describes the claims risk of a vehicle model. For 2027 the GDV, the German insurance association, rates about 7.4 million drivers higher and about 5.1 million lower in liability cover, while nothing changes for almost 30 million (71 percent). The type class alone says nothing about your premium. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The type class is a feature of the vehicle, not of the person. It applies to the model, not to you as the driver.
- The GDV publishes the statistics once a year. They are based on claims records for 2023 to 2025 covering about 33,000 models.
- There are 16 classes in liability (10 to 25), 25 in fully comprehensive cover (10 to 34) and 24 in partially comprehensive cover (10 to 33).
- The new rating applies immediately to new contracts and from the next insurance year to existing contracts. For insurers the statistics are non-binding.
- Besides the type class, the regional class and annual mileage, among other things, influence the premium.
What are type classes in motor insurance?
A type class ranks a vehicle model by its claims record. The higher the class, the more and the costlier claims vehicles of that model cause on average. A lower class points statistically to a lower claims risk. The rating is done separately for the three types of cover, so a model can sit in different classes in liability, partially comprehensive (Teilkasko) and fully comprehensive (Vollkasko) cover.
In liability cover, claims that vehicles of the model cause to third parties count. In comprehensive cover, damage to the insured vehicle counts, for example from theft, wildlife, hail or storm. Fully comprehensive cover adds accidents the driver is responsible for. According to the GDV, replacement value, repair costs and spare part prices also play a role.
Who sets the type classes and how many classes are there?
The GDV publishes the type classes based on insurers’ claims records. For 2027 it evaluates the years 2023 to 2025 and covers about 33,000 car models, almost all of those registered in Germany. The statistics appear once a year. They are non-binding for insurers and serve as a reference point when premiums are calculated.
| Type of cover | Class range | Number of classes |
|---|---|---|
| Motor liability (Kfz-Haftpflicht) | 10 to 25 | 16 |
| Fully comprehensive (Vollkasko) | 10 to 34 | 25 |
| Partially comprehensive (Teilkasko) | 10 to 33 | 24 |
What changes in the type classes for 2027?
According to the GDV press release of 30 September 2026, the changes in liability cover are distributed as follows. The GDV counts affected drivers, not vehicles.
| Liability cover 2027 | Drivers |
|---|---|
| Higher type class | about 7.4 million |
| Lower type class | about 5.1 million |
| Unchanged type class | almost 30 million (71 percent) |
Added together, that makes about 12.5 million drivers with a changed liability rating (calculated). In fully and partially comprehensive cover, 67 percent of policyholders keep their previous type class. The GDV publishes which models are rated high or low in separate lists. The best way to find your own vehicle’s rating is to ask your insurer, since classes differ by type of cover.
How does the type class affect your premium?
A change in type class alone says nothing about the premium. The GDV names further factors, among them the regional class and annual mileage. Personal characteristics add to this, for new drivers for instance age and the no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse), which you may be able to have transferred. Repair costs, which according to the GDV are rising faster than inflation, also affect how premiums develop.
An example for orientation (assumption): your model moves from class 17 to class 18 in liability cover. That means vehicles of this model statistically caused more claims cost than the year before. How the step translates into euros is decided by the insurer’s tariff. It may pass the change on strongly, weakly or not at all.
| Factor | Relates to | Effect on the premium |
|---|---|---|
| Type class | Vehicle model | Statistical claims risk of the model |
| Regional class | Keeper’s place of residence | Regional claims risk |
| Annual mileage | Use | Expected intensity of use |
| No-claims class | Person and contract history | Discount or surcharge depending on claims-free years |
For new drivers and students the distinction matters: the type class concerns the car, the new-driver rating concerns you. How to build cover for a first car is described in Motor liability for new drivers: which cover makes sense. Whether students can get discounts is explained in Motor insurance with a student discount: which proof is needed.
What does the type class not tell you?
The type class is a statistic about vehicle models, not a forecast for you. It says nothing about how safely you drive, how often you use the car or where you live. Nor does it say what premium a particular insurer charges, because each insurer calculates with its own tariffs and weights the factors differently. It therefore does not follow that a model with a high class is unaffordable for you, or that a model with a low class is automatically cheap to insure.
The type class is most useful as a point of comparison when buying a car. Two vehicles of similar price can be rated differently in liability, partially comprehensive and fully comprehensive cover. Students buying a car on a tight budget should therefore check the running costs when choosing the model rather than after the purchase.
When does the new type class apply?
The new rating applies immediately to newly concluded contracts. For existing contracts it applies from the next insurance year, according to the GDV. Your contract states when your insurance year begins. If your insurer raises the premium, you may have a special right of termination. The conditions and deadlines are in the guide Motor insurance got more expensive: when you can cancel early.
Where do I find my car’s type class?
The insurer assigns the type class using the manufacturer key number (HSN) and the type key number (TSN) from the vehicle documents. Your insurance certificate or your insurer’s contract overview shows the classes assigned. When buying a vehicle it is worth asking about the type classes of different models before you decide, because they can differ markedly between otherwise similar vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Will my motor insurance become more expensive in 2027 because of the type class?
Not necessarily. The type class is only one factor. The GDV expressly points out that a type class change alone says nothing about the premium. Your insurer will tell you whether and how much your premium rises.
Does the type class depend on me as the driver?
No. It relates to the vehicle model and its claims record. Personal characteristics such as age, claims-free years or place of residence enter the premium through other factors.
Do I have to do anything if my model is rated higher?
There is no obligation. You can check whether your contract fits your use and compare offers. Note the deadlines for ordinary termination at the end of the contract and any special right of termination after a premium increase.
Does the new type class also apply to existing contracts?
Yes, but with a delay. According to the GDV, it applies to existing contracts from the next insurance year and to new contracts immediately.
How many drivers are affected in 2027?
In liability cover about 7.4 million are rated higher and about 5.1 million lower, while the class stays the same for almost 30 million (71 percent). In comprehensive cover 67 percent keep their previous type class (GDV, as of 30 September 2026).
How to proceed
- Read your insurance certificate to see which type classes are recorded for liability, partially and fully comprehensive cover.
- Note when your insurance year begins, because the new rating applies to your existing contract from then on.
- If the premium rises, compare your insurer’s notice with the factors type class, regional class and mileage.
- Check your special right of termination and the notice periods if needed, and obtain comparison offers before you decide.
Related guides
- Insurance for students: the overview (in German)
- Motor liability for new drivers: which cover makes sense
- Partially or fully comprehensive for new drivers (in German)
- Transferring a no-claims class: how new drivers get a discount
- Motor insurance got more expensive: when you can cancel early
Sources: GDV, press release on the 2027 type classes (30 September 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
