use our car insurance comparison and find the right insurance for you and your car!
Due to the considerable price differences between the cheapest and most expensive offers, car owners can save up to several hundred euros per year by comparing and changing their car insurance. And even if you already have a cheap car insurance, you can check with an insurance comparison whether the prices have fallen compared to the previous year or whether additional discounts can reduce the insurance premium.
For all motor vehicle insurance contracts concluded as of the calendar year (31.12.), the 30.11. As a cut-off date for the insurance change. A different cut-off date may be valid if your contract ends on a different date.
car insurance guide
What to look for in a car insurance policy?
The change of car insurance is used to reduce premiums or even to improve car insurance benefits. Cheaper car insurance is not always the best insurance. motorists must compare the benefits and costs of car insurance to find an individual, good and cheap car insurance policy.
What car insurance is there?
All drivers are required to have car insurance. Motor vehicle liability insurance is the basic benefit of all car insurance policies. If fully or partially comprehensive insurance is added, damage to your own vehicle is also covered financially. Partial comprehensive insurance covers z.B. Damage caused by hail or fire, i.e. damage caused by force majeure. In the case of fully comprehensive insurance, damage caused by accidents or wilful destruction is also covered. Since fully comprehensive insurance is always associated with an additional charge, it is usually worthwhile for younger and more valuable cars. You can dispense with comprehensive cover completely if major repairs to your car are no longer worthwhile.
What does the amount of car insurance depend on??
First of all, the amount of insurance varies depending on the type of car. In addition, the amount of the insurance premiums depends on the region in which the insured lives. The age, driving experience, gender or profession of the insured person can also play a role. Ultimately, however, the insurance companies also calculate differently, which means that there are significant differences between the individual insurers for the same initial situation. To find the most favorable offer, a well-structured online car insurance comparison will help you.
A well-known factor in calculating the price of car insurance is the no-claims bonus class. This represents how often a driver has already caused an accident, or how many times he or she has been involved in an accident. Involved in accidents. For drivers with many accident-free years, it is therefore important to know whether the no-claims bonus is granted to the same extent by the new insurance company. If you are a novice driver, the no-claims class does not yet play a role. However, it is always important to know how many kilometers you drive in your car each year. If you drive less, you pay less. It is also important how many people use the vehicle. If z.B. If a married couple shares the car, there are often discounts. Even if children are on board, the car insurance can become cheaper.
In addition to the driver, the car itself also plays a role. If you insure a new car, the insurance can be around ten percent cheaper, because the insurer assumes that the driver will take more care of the new vehicle and because the safety standards are state of the art. In general, there are numerous factors that can influence the amount of car insurance and possibly help you save money.
What to look for in a car insurance policy?
It makes sense and is important to have the highest possible liability coverage, because this insurance pays for the damage that occurs when other people are injured in an accident. If in an extreme case an injured z.B. If a lifelong annuity has to be paid, this can quickly result in a high loss. If the damage exceeds the insured amount, the person who caused the accident is personally liable.
7.5 million is required by law for personal injury insurance. 1.12 million for property damage and. and for property damage of 50.000 euro. Since the difference in premium is usually not very great, insurance experts advise setting the maximum amount at 100 million euros. to top up the sum insured in order to be covered for all eventualities. In addition, you should pay attention to the liability insurance in which other countries it applies and whether it also applies in the event of an accident with a rental car abroad.
In the case of partial and fully comprehensive insurance, there are no statutory requirements, so insurance companies are free to structure their contracts as they wish. The number of tariffs and special options is therefore correspondingly confusing. An important component should be the "waiver of the objection of gross negligence" because then the insurance company also has to pay in full for damage caused by carelessness, if one pays z.B. has not obeyed a stop sign or has driven through a red light.
If you want to insure a new car, the compensation for the new value is also an important factor when comparing insurance policies. The longer the car insurance pays the new price of the car in the event of theft or total loss, the better it is for the insured person.
Car insurance – no-claims bonus and no-claims class
a driver’s no-claims class has a significant influence on the amount of the car insurance premium. Anyone who drives a car without an accident for a particularly long time receives a so-called no-claims bonus. This has a positive effect on the tariff. In the following, we will look into the questions of whether the no-claims class can be transferred to another driver and when it is worth paying for minor damage out of one’s own pocket. This section explains how the no-claims bonus and the no-claims class can be calculated.
The number of accident-free years determines the discount
Regardless of which provider you are insured with, the car insurer always records the number of accident-free driving years. the years are then converted into a percentage rate. This percentage is counted as a no-claims bonus on the premium for motor vehicle liability insurance and fully comprehensive insurance. The simple rule is that the longer a driver remains accident-free, the lower the insurance premium. The classification of the no-claims classes is the same for all providers. This does not apply to the no-claims bonus. To find out which is the most suitable car insurance in an individual case, you should compare different insurances with each other.
How the system works?
Since it is statistically proven that new drivers cause more accidents than "old bunnies", younger drivers start in the lowest no-claims bonus class. The no-claims bonus in this class is usually between 90 and 110 percent. Drivers move up one level with each accident-free year, up to no-claims class 15. In this case, the car is upgraded either every second or every third year. The highest no-claims class is 35. In this, a no-claims discount of up to 20 percent can still be achieved.
Significant differences between individual insurers
One could say that the no-claims class is as tied to the policyholder as the gas station prices are dependent on oil prices. In a few cases, however, it is possible to transfer the class to another person or another policyholder. New drivers in particular benefit from this option because, as already mentioned, they start in the lowest no-claims class. Some insurers also offer drivers the option of a favorable rating for their second car. In a few cases, there is even a chance that the second car will be classified in the same no-claims class as the first car. Since the offers can differ greatly from one another, you have to compare as many car insurance policies as possible with one another.
When to pay out of your own pocket?
When minor accidents occur, such as a scratch in the paint, you should carefully calculate whether it is worth paying for the damage out of your own pocket. The costs of repairing your own and someone else’s car must be calculated as accurately as possible. The costs are then set in relation to the consequential costs in the event of a no-claims bonus upgrade and the associated loss of the no-claims bonus.
Will driving become more expensive as you get older??
Motor insurance: price increases due to age surcharges
Motor insurance premiums can rise sharply with age. On average, seniors over the age of 75 pay around 50 percent more than middle-aged drivers. There is, however, no flat rate for the surcharges, because insurance companies often decide for themselves from what age onwards they calculate the so-called age surcharges. However, seniors should always review their current car insurance annually. It is also worth comparing different insurance policies to save costs.
An insurance comparison can save money
Over time, many things become more expensive. Be it the cost of electricity and heating or the rising price of gasoline. The latter ensure that driving a car becomes more and more expensive. But to ensure that driving a car does not become a luxury good, special attention should be paid to the car insurance policy. Seniors in particular will find that car insurance becomes more and more expensive as they get older. This is due to the age surcharges levied by insurers. However, since the age limit can vary greatly from one insurance company to the next, seniors should consider comparing their insurance policies and, if necessary, changing their car insurance. However, in addition to the increasing surcharges, attention should also be paid to the agreed benefits.
Existing insurance policies are often no longer up to date and should definitely be adapted to personal needs and requirements. With friday car insurance, both younger and older motorists can benefit. A change of car insurance can also have a significant impact on your wallet. In view of the increasing age surcharges, several hundred euros a year can be saved here. The same also applies to the annual mileage, as this is often no longer up to date. Older drivers in particular are using their vehicles less and less frequently than younger or middle-aged drivers. If the mileage stated in the car insurance policy is updated, costs can also be saved. In addition, seniors can reduce the insurance premium by up to 5 percent if they pay the total amount annually. An insurance comparison is worthwhile because of the above-mentioned aspects, especially for seniors.
When do drivers have to expect age surcharges??
According to the Federal statistical office, seniors are involved in traffic accidents far less frequently than is often assumed. Motor insurers, on the other hand, see things differently and therefore levy age surcharges for older drivers. Insurance companies justify these surcharges on the grounds of the increased safety risk posed by older road users. Here it is particularly advisable to make an insurance comparison. From the age of 68, most insurers charge an age surcharge, as this is based on the recommendation of the German Insurance Association. This recommendation is based on the fact that older drivers often cause more expensive claims.
Furthermore, many accidents are not properly reported to the police and therefore cannot be included in the statistics. It is also assumed that people over the age of 80 are responsible for more than half of the costs arising from accident damage. Although the recommendation states that an age surcharge should be levied on persons over the age of 68, the statistical frequency of damage claims says otherwise. This means that drivers over the age of 75 are more likely to cause damage than people over the age of 68. Another reason for the age surcharges are the driving bans, which are often imposed with increasing age. This component is also included in the recommendation and statistics.
However, senior citizens often have the advantage of a very good no-claims class, provided of course that they have driven accident-free for many years. A high and therefore excellent no-claims class ensures that the insurance premium is inexpensive. Due to the relatively low premium, many older drivers do not even notice that the former basic premium slowly increases with age. Only a comparison of the basic premium and the no-claims bonus makes it clear how much the age surcharge has to be taken into account. Compared to middle-aged drivers, seniors have to pay around 50 percent more for their car insurance. An insurance comparison should therefore be considered in any case.
Which car insurance is cheap?
A good price comparison is usually difficult with the large number of car insurance policies available. Also because cheap car insurance always depends on what you expect from car insurance. Therefore, it is essential that the insurance calculator guides you step by step with many hints to the right car insurance for you. Because your information is important in order to find the cheapest car insurance for you in the price comparison of car insurances. the more specific your requirements, the more criteria you can use to compare car insurance prices.
How to change your car insurance?
As a matter of principle, you should always cancel a motor vehicle insurance policy in writing. In the best case, the written notice of cancellation should even be sent to the insurer by registered mail with advice of receipt, as the insured person can then prove at any time that the notice of cancellation was received in due time. If the cancellation should be delivered personally to the insurance company, then it is important that the receipt of the cancellation letter is confirmed in writing. If the cancellation is sent by fax, the confirmation of receipt should be kept as proof that the cancellation was received on time.
You should cancel the old car insurance only when the new contract is in place. While insurance companies are not allowed to refuse a customer liability insurance, they are allowed to refuse a comprehensive insurance. To avoid suddenly being left without car insurance, you should look for a new contract before terminating it. However, it is important to avoid overlapping terms of the car policies, as this will only lead to unnecessary costs.
When can you change your car insurance?
For all consumers who are considering terminating their vehicle insurance policy, the 30-day cancellation period usually applies.11. As a cut-off date, because most car policies are valid for the respective calendar year. In rare cases, however, there are also deviating regulations in some contracts. The cancellation of a car insurance policy is also only possible within certain deadlines. Before formulating the notice of termination, it is therefore advisable to take a look at the terms and conditions of the old car insurance policy.
In addition to the ordinary right of cancellation, insured persons also have an extraordinary right of cancellation. This applies z.B. If the policyholder deregisters his vehicle during the term of the contract and registers a new vehicle. In the case of such a change of vehicle, the insured can terminate the insurance contract without observing any deadlines. In this case, the insured person retains the no-claims class and it is transferred to the new vehicle.
In addition to the ordinary and extraordinary right of termination, there is also the special right of termination, which is used, for example, if the insurance company increases the premiums. The basic amount is used as a guide. This is because the premium may increase even though the premium payable remains the same or even decreases due to a better no-claims bonus class. The special right of termination also applies in the event of a premium increase resulting from a claim settled by the insurance company. In this case, both the policyholder and the insurance company can cancel the contract.
Which data must be provided when comparing the prices of car insurance policies??
Most of the entries required to compare the prices of car insurance are self-explanatory or are explained directly in the car insurance comparison. For example, the important vehicle code numbers such as HSN or TSN can be found on the vehicle registration document. All information provided is subject to data protection and is transmitted via an encrypted connection. The insurer will only be informed once you have made your final choice.
Differences between car insurance and car tax
Like car insurance, car tax is of course an essential part of driving a vehicle. This means that the resulting costs must be firmly factored into the financial expenditure for vehicle maintenance. However, there are fundamental differences in the basis of calculation between tax and insurance. The decisive factors in vehicle insurance do not include the quantity of pollutants emitted, the vehicle type on the other hand, they are very important. In addition, the different regional classes of considerable importance for the level of insurance premiums – all the more so as they have been subject to some significant changes this year.
However, of the total of 413 registration districts, "only" 108 are affected, of which in turn only 41 districts change to a more expensive regional class. For 67 registration districts, the changes even mean an improvement in the regional class in terms of insurance costs. In contrast to taxes, which do not make any regional distinctions, it is possible to save on premiums for car insurance by moving to a more favorable registration district.
There are no other changes as a result. Thanks to the nationwide license plate transfer, which has been in effect since January 2015, vehicle owners can even decide whether they want to register a new or the previous license plate combination after the change of district. On its consumer portal, the German Insurance Association reveals where comparatively low regional classes can be found.
An excursion into the world of vehicle taxation
In 2018, changes in the calculation of vehicle tax will come into force, which means that it could become more expensive for some vehicle owners in the future. Since September 2017, the WLTP test cycle has been used as the basis for the EU’s standard consumption figures, which in some cases are significantly higher than the previous average values. All the more reason to take a closer look at vehicle tax – also in order to find possible savings.
The effects of the sixth act amending the motor vehicle tax law
More realistic test procedures for emission values, that is the goal that the federal government has set itself with the introduction of the "worldwide harmonized light-duty vehicles test procedure" (WLTP) tracked. The new test procedure replaces the previously valid "new european driving cycle" (NEDC) and is based on globally applicable standards.
Legal background and content of the law
The foundations for these changes were laid back in 2017, when the European regulations that will then also apply to German legislation were promulgated. Initially affected are new vehicles – passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. When approving new vehicle types, therefore, there are already Since 1. The CO2 values determined by WLTP have been binding since September 2017, in addition, however, the NEDC values are recorded in the vehicle documents.
With the 1. September 2018, the WLTP values will apply to first-time registrations. For vehicle manufacturers, for example, this means that they are obliged to carry out new tests on vehicle models that they still want to produce and sell. The main aim of the sixth law amending the Motor Vehicle Tax Act was to introduce a uniform cut-off date throughout the country (namely 1. September 2018), from which the new test procedure and the values thus determined will be included in taxation.
In this way, inconsistencies due to inconsistent tax assessments could be prevented. As a general rule, the changes will only affect vehicles registered after 1 January 2018. September 2018 will be approved. For all other vehicles registered before this date, the changes do not apply.
Comparison of NEDC and WLTP
Conversely, the change in the law means that the NEDC for determining engine displacement and CO2 emissions will be phased out as of June 30, 2010. August 2018. However, the values according to the "new european driving cycle" are not obsolete as a result, as they continue to apply to all discontinued series and to stock vehicles that have an exemption permit under traffic law.
Overall, the main changes in the inspection are the following duration (will be increased to 30 minutes), which in the process distance traveled (increased by more than half to 23.25 km) as well as the average and maximum speed. The requirements of the WLTP test cycle are higher overall, so for small cars in particular, different measurement results are expected than those provided by the NEDC so far.
Effects on vehicle tax rates
Vehicle owners and manufacturers must therefore be prepared for the fact that higher emission values will be determined by the WLTP than previously with the NEDC. However, the results may vary, so it is also conceivable that the CO2 values will remain the same or be lower. How exactly the new test results will affect tax assessment is still speculative at present (as of june 2018) and will remain so for the time being: the federal ministry of Finance will review the developments over a period of twelve months, only then can definite statements be made.
Notice: there is a so called "gunstigerprufung" for all vehicles which are registered in the period between the 5. November 2008 and the 30. the vehicle received its first registration on June 2009. For these, the tax rates are determined according to both test methods, but only the more favorable one has to be paid.
The principles of motor vehicle taxation
That the keeping of a vehicle is connected with the associated tax liability is a correct, though very concise, statement of the principles by which the vehicle tax operates. In fact, there are several taxable items that can lead to tax liability. Things get complicated when it comes to the tax rates for the individual vehicle types.
Tax object and tax liability
The subject of the tax is defined as those cases and legal transactions that result in the payment of vehicle tax. A distinction is made between four taxable items:
The holding of domestic vehicles for the purpose of driving on public roads
There is also a definition of the term "vehicle", because "vehicle" is basically a very broad term. The Motor Vehicle Tax Act defines these as motor vehicles and motor vehicle trailers.
With "domestic" is referred to on the registration procedure – in this case the german. Incidentally, it is completely irrelevant for the tax liability whether a vehicle that is kept is also actually used. If it is registered, the taxes are due.
However, the tax obligation cannot be circumvented by simply registering the vehicle abroad. In principle, there is the option of using the registration procedure of another country. However, as long as they are kept in germany, these vehicles are also subject to vehicle tax.
- Permanent stays in the german inland and
- This circumstance was already known when the vehicle was imported.
From this point on, a domestic registration is also required by law, otherwise it is illegal to use public roads with the vehicle.
- If a domestic vehicle with a seasonal license plate is used outside the noted period of time.
- If a red license plate or a short-term license plate is used, even though no test drive or transfer drive is carried out with it.
In any case, the unlawful use of a vehicle is also subject to tax.
The allocation of classic car license plates and red license plates for recurring use
Within the motor vehicle tax objects there are two special cases. Because unlike usual, the tax does not apply to keeping the vehicle. Instead, the tax is levied on the allocation of the special license plates, for which a flat-rate tax is payable – a separate tax rate is not calculated for each vehicle. The allocation is linked to certain conditions, for example in the case of classic car license plates.
Beginning and end of the tax liability
The main points have already been made: for domestic vehicles, the tax liability begins immediately after they have been registered for road use. It is valid for at least one month, but in principle for as long as the vehicle is registered. In the case of foreign vehicles, on the other hand, the tax obligation comes into force as soon as they are located in the country.
Incidentally, vehicle tax must also be paid if conversely a vehicle is to be transferred abroad and it is put into service for this purpose. In this case it is similar to the oldtimer and red license plates. The tax liability begins with the allocation of a corresponding license plate and exists as long as the license plate is used. The minimum period is one month, as is also the case for vintage license plates, red license plates and seasonal license plates. The only exception is the latter, as they only have a limited period of use.
For unlawfully used vehicles the obligation to pay vehicle tax applies for as long as the vehicle in question is used. Here too, however, the minimum period of tax liability is one month, and the tax paid for this period is not refundable – not even if the domestic registration is made up for within this one-month period.
In principle, the obligation to pay motor vehicle tax ends as soon as the deregistration of the vehicle at the registration office has been made. The following special rules apply:
- Who has his vehicle only out of service sets, must nevertheless have this confirmed by the registration authority. Necessary for this is a corresponding entry in the registration certificate part I, furthermore, the registration number stamped only after this period the tax obligation ends.
- In the case of a sale of a (domestic) vehicle the date of the registration marks the end of the tax obligation.
- A theft neither an interruption nor a termination of the vehicle tax liability is provided for. It is also not sufficient to simply report the theft to the main customs office or a police station. In addition, the responsible registration authority must be informed and the registration certificate Part I must be returned. As long as the tax liability continues.
All data provided to the registration office in the course of deregistration is forwarded to the customs administration. This in turn is responsible for the deregistration notice, which is normally sent to the vehicle owner within two weeks of deregistration. Since the vehicle tax is always paid in advance for the entire year, the main customs office transfers the most likely remaining credit back to the owner within three weeks.
tax rate
The tax amount is calculated according to the different types of vehicles, each of which is assigned its own tax rate. In the case of motorcycles, for example, the amount is based on the tax rate per 25 cubic centimeters of engine capacity or part thereof. The calculation of the tax amount for passenger cars is more extensive.
This is not least due to the change to a taxation that places greater emphasis on CO2 emissions. This applies to all passenger cars that are registered after 1. were registered for the first time on July 2009. Accordingly, the following are decisive:
- The type of drive (petrol, diesel or Wankel engine)
- The engine capacity (in cc)
- The CO2 value (can be entered on the registration certificate, Part I, in field V) is the basis for calculating the tax.7 can be taken)
All in all, the tax consists of basic amount for the cubic capacity and a CO2-dependent amount together. Depending on the date of first registration, between 120 g/km (first registration up to 31. December 2011) and 95 g/km (first registration from 1. January 2014) tax-free. By the way, the changeover to the new WLTP test procedure will not change the amounts; any increases in the annual tax will result solely from the deviations from the previous measurement results.
However, the basis of taxation can vary depending on the type of vehicle:
- For light vehicles (these are quads, buggies, trikes and the like), the tax rate is assessed according to criteria similar to those used for passenger cars, i.e. pollutant emissions, engine capacity and type of drive are also taken into account in the taxation. The final amount of the tax rate is determined by the compliance or the. Non-compliance with mandatory limit values as prescribed by EU Directive 97/24/EC
- motorhomes are primarily taxed according to their weight, but different pollutant classes are also taken into account in the tax rate.
When it comes to the annual tax for motor homes, commercial vehicles and electric vehicles, it is important to note how the so-called graduated tax rates work. This means that the higher the total weight, the higher the tax rate per 200 kilograms of total weight or part thereof.
Example calculation for a motor home
the principle can be illustrated by an example: a vehicle has a permissible total weight of 2.900 kilograms (the tax amounts correspond to pollution class 2). According to the graduated tax rate, the tax rate for the weight category up to 2.000 kilograms, that is:
- 6,42 euro x 10 (10 x 200 kilograms = 2.000 kilograms)
For the weight that exceeds the 2.000 kilograms, the tax rate of the weight class of 2.000 to 3.000 kilograms due, i.e:
- 6,88 euro x 3 (5 x 200 kilograms = 1.000 kilograms)
The same procedure is used for heavier vehicles, although the maximum amounts vary depending on the pollutant class. For the emission class 2 used as a basis in the example, the upper limit would be 556.00 euros, even if the vehicle weighed more than twelve tons. In order to find out the general amount of vehicle tax before a possible vehicle purchase, the Federal Ministry of Finance provides a vehicle tax calculator.
Payment and due date of the vehicle tax
The vehicle tax is due according to the date of registration of the vehicle – the tax liability begins with the registration. The registration date is therefore always the due date, as the tax is paid in advance for a whole year. The calendar year is irrelevant for the payment period.
Owners of several vehicles, which were all registered at different times, can nevertheless pay the same tax uniform due date apply. All that is needed from the owner’s side is an informal letter of application to the main customs office. There, the payment periods are aligned (i.e. the outstanding tax up to the desired due date is calculated).
Vehicles with seasonal license plates are exempt from this possibility. The reason lies in the limited period of operation.
Responsibilities for vehicle tax
the registration of a vehicle is accompanied by its automatic taxation. Hardly any vehicle owner thinks about the responsibilities and the legal basis for this.
Who is responsible for the administration of the car tax?
In principle, the responsibility for vehicle tax – correctly expressed: the revenue and administrative sovereignty over it – lies with the federal government. This is regulated by the Basic Law. Since July 2014, however, the associated tasks are no longer the responsibility of the tax authorities of the federal states, but of the customs administration.
In practice, this means that the individual main customs offices are responsible for collecting the vehicle tax, and are therefore the right people to contact if you have questions about specific cases. Alternatively, vehicle owners can contact the central information office for vehicle tax, which is maintained by the customs administration.
Which legal regulations apply to vehicle tax?
Articles 106 and 108 of the Basic Law initially only regulate the responsibilities for the vehicle tax. The tax itself is in turn determined by
- The motor vehicle tax act (kraftstg) as well as
- The motor vehicle tax implementation ordinance (kraftstdv)
Regulated. In addition to this Vehicle registration ordinance (FZV) and the road traffic licensing regulations (stvzo) to be considered. All the principles of vehicle taxation, as described in more detail below, are laid down in law here.
Tax concessions, tax exemptions and savings opportunities
However, in some cases, the vehicle tax laws provide for tax exemptions or at least tax concessions. These can depend on the type of vehicle, its intended use or the vehicle owner.
How to apply for a possible tax benefit?
If the conditions to benefit from a tax incentive are met, vehicle owners can apply for it either directly at the time of registration or later (if the conditions have to be met first). The necessary application forms and supporting documents must be submitted to the relevant main customs office.
Vehicle-specific factors that are relevant for a possible tax concession are examined by the registration authority. If the conditions for such a tax concession are no longer met on a permanent basis, the responsible main customs office must be informed immediately. Otherwise, in the worst case scenario, you could be charged with tax evasion.
Use-related tax breaks
As the name implies, these are concessions that are available on the basis of a special use. In fact, the concession can even go so far as to exempt the vehicle in question from vehicle tax altogether. This applies, for example, to
- Vehicles that are registered for local authorities (i.e. local authorities such as municipalities and counties) and are used exclusively for road construction purposes.
- Vehicles for use in street cleaning.
- Vehicles for exclusive use in firefighting, disaster control, civil air defense, accidents, rescue services or for transporting sick people.
In principle, however, it must always be clear that the vehicles in question are really only being used for a tax-exempt purpose. Vehicles registered for severely disabled persons are also exempt from tax under certain conditions. Otherwise, depending on the conditions met, at least a 50 percent reduction in vehicle tax is possible.
Vehicle-related tax breaks
In addition to a use-related tax concession, it is also possible to claim a reduced vehicle tax for certain types of vehicles. Vehicles that are eligible for such a benefit include, but are not limited to
- Electric vehicles (and only purely electric vehicles – hybrid drives no longer meet the requirements for a tax concession),
- motorized ambulances,
- Forklift trucks and self-propelled machines as well as
- Special trailers for transporting sports equipment and animals (provided they are kept for sporting purposes, e.g. jumping horses). However, these trailers must then be intended exclusively for this use.
Further measures to reduce vehicle taxes
The most obvious way to avoid paying too much in vehicle tax is, of course, to apply for a tax credit look at the pollutant emissions of the desired vehicle. After all, CO2 emissions will most likely have a not inconsiderable impact on tax rates as a result of the new test procedure.
Those wishing to benefit from tax breaks for electric vehicles can also upgrade, for example from hybrid to purely electric propulsion. Gasoline-powered vehicles, especially older models, can also be used for road cleaning by the subsequent installation of a cold run regulator achieve better emission values and thus slip into a more favorable pollutant class. However, the registration authorities will only accept this conversion if it has been carried out by a specialist company and documented with a corresponding certificate.
A final option is for all vehicle owners for whom the annual deduction is too high and who have therefore agreed to pay the vehicle tax in installments: for these, a surcharge of three to six percent is payable. Doesn’t sound like much, but over the years it can be noticeable.
