Insurance in Germany?

NathanR · 03-27-2010, 05:09 PM

Good news, I'm moving to Germany and I'm taking my 911 with me.

Does anyone out there have any recommendations on insurance? I would like to have a stated value policy like I have here in the states, if possible.

I called Geico Friday and, although they write policies in Germany, their initial reaction was they could only offer liability coverage because of the age of my car. They recommended I get an appraisal done, which is now in the works.

Cheers,
Nathan

kundensport · 03-27-2010, 05:44 PM

how old is your car?
they (ze germans) offer insurance for vintage cars ,...i believe they have to be 25 years and older. you could then apply for a so called H-Kennzeichen. that would you give a big break in costs. if your car is not a early car, you would have to get it apraised for the value. that can be tricky since some of them do not know what they are doing. i would contact a porsche dealer to get that done for you. they deal with these requests all the time.

shahram · 03-28-2010, 12:36 AM

I recommand OCC.
http://www.occ.eu/
They offer full coverage also for older cars and vintage cars.

Hesse James · 03-28-2010, 01:48 AM

Hello Nathan,

welcome zo Germany!
As for insurance: if your car is older than 20 years, some insurance companies offer youngtimer insurances, based on the value of your car.
As for 30+ cars you can get a H-Numberplate (which says "Historic") - this is more or less regarding the tax you have to pay. If younger you pay Tax on the ccm³ of your engine and depending on the emission values of your car. When you have the H-Plate it is a fixed 191,00€ per year and you are also allowed to enter emission zones in the cities, which might be prohibited for a non catalyst car without emission control plate "green" or "yellow". A little complicated but if you have more details I can give you specific information. You will have to change some parts on your car to get a german licnse plate, and for the historic H-plate the car must meet the original specs (more or less) - but no 3.6 IROC Engine flared modified 72 car will archieve the Historic plate. As for conversion you will need H4 Headlights, rear tail lenses in orange, remove side lights and at lest km/h marks on your miles speedo.
If you need more help, I can provide you more information and cheap sources for the conversion parts (our german Pelican) over here.
As an example: for my 74 911 that came from the states I pay 150€ for full insurance coverage and 192€ for taxes a year. But this is based on the age and value of the car. You need to bring a certificate from authorized certifier to get "Oldtimer" Insurance. So your american appraisal is worthless - you need to get a new one done over here...

best regards

Heiko

shahram · 03-28-2010, 01:55 AM

Heiko, is the H-Plate not restricted for rides to historical events or shows? I heard you cant take the car just for a fun ride with the H-registration.

Would you please post the link to your German "pelican"?

geoz · 03-28-2010, 04:15 AM

Good luck getting your car registered. Hope it's not modified.

twistoffat · 03-28-2010, 04:48 AM

Welcome Nathan. As people have said Insurance and Tax will depend on the age of the car. 25 years is Youngtimer status and 30 as mentioned gets you a H- plate with low tax and insurance. As Goez mentioned though the first step will be getting it registered. You will need at least to convert your headlights to the Euro norm. If the car has any conversions done to it make sure you have all the paperwork for it. Its not impossible to get an altered car through the so called TuV(technical inspection) but it can be problematic. Where in Germany are you going to be based?

HunterVonWurst · 03-28-2010, 08:38 AM

As his signature indicates, he drives an 87 Carrera Coupe. His vehicle is 22 ~ 23 years old.

jury · 03-28-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoz

Good luck getting your car registered. Hope it's not modified.

Tell me about it, Its a right pain!!! The T.U.V guy didn't like my Nardi steering wheel or the K&N air filters on my carbs

but fingers crossed I get my 'H' plate tomorrow...

Where in Germany are you moving?

Hesse James · 03-28-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shahram

Heiko, is the H-Plate not restricted for rides to historical events or shows? I heard you cant take the car just for a fun ride with the H-registration.

Would you please post the link to your German "pelican"?

Hello,

my preferred seller here is Febö:
FEBÖ
but also a good source is Sportwagen Eckert:
Sportwagen ECKERT
and Mittelmotor
Mittelmotor GmbH - Porsche Ersatzteile fuer 911, 914, 356, 928, 924, 944, 968, Boxster

And once you own the H-Plate you are free to use your car as you like it - but some insurances require a maximum of 10-15K km per year and a second car for daily usage. But no restrictions where and when to drive. There also is a so called red plate or 07 Plate, designed for collectors and sellers who can drive several cars (aged 25+) with one plate - but this is only for short technical test drives or driving on historic events and meetings. But you do not need the TÜV for those cars. But don't let them get you in front of the super market...

best regards

Heiko

and yes, sometimes I should read what the signature says :-)

bavaria911 · bavaria911's Garage

Nathan,
If you or a relative ever served in the military, you can apply for USAA car insurance.
They have serviced military members for years and the best company for US citizens overseas. You will be covered if you drive over the German border to France, Aust, Switz, Italy... Last year they openned up to allow distant relatives to jion.
Vr,
Bavaria911

Wavey · 03-28-2010, 11:52 AM

You know, it would be easier and cheaper for you to leave it in Boise, and pay to fly me there once a month to give it a little drive. Probably harder on the car though

NathanR · 03-31-2010, 01:39 AM

Thanks for the excellent info everyone (except Wavey). I'm going to be living in or near Kaiserslautern. I will put up another post asking if anyone knows a good shop there.

I just got back from driving my 911 to Seattle to deliver to the shippers, so I wasn't able to answer your questions directly. The drive was fine except getting caught in several downpours so heavy the windshield wipers couldn't keep up and hydroplaning was a real concern.

Luckily my car is completely stock, except I've already installed H4s. I had my local p-car shop take a look to see if they could see any issues a few weeks ago. I'm hoping the inspection will be relatively painless.

Wavey was #1 on the list of a dozen or so volunteers to keep my car "exercised" while I was away, but he's out of luck now!

So, since my car is only 22 years old, it doesn't qualify for any special plates or insurance??

Cheers,
Nathan

twistoffat · 03-31-2010, 01:51 AM

Nathan, make sure you bring details of your previous Insurer with you and possibly a statement from them that you are accident free for the last few years. As an unknown entity to German Insurers they will start you at 120% and depending on age and where you live that could put a 911 3.2 at nearly 1300 Euros a year with an extra 400 Euro for Tax. With the old records they should be able to allow for that and for example if you have driven say 10 years without a claim then you will be dropped to say 50% and pay around 600 Euro a year.

Dave27S · 03-31-2010, 06:09 AM

Interesting timing on this thread as i could also be moving to near Dusseldorf in the next few months. Im only moving from ireland so i can drive it over. i wont be taking the porsche till i get setup and have figured everythign out so i'd be interested to see how you get on. Mine is 1976 but its not standard......

Rikao4 · 06:50 AM

K-town is what the Ami's call it..
I grew up in Erfenbach which is now part of Kaiserslautern..
great area..

joining ADAC is a must !
you will at some point be stranded somewhere..
these guys are amazing...

Rika

kristan · kristan's Garage

Another way of saving on insurance and tax is to get a seasonal license plate. It shows the months of the year (to - from) when it is valid. And, if you are not planning on driving your car in German winter, this is an alternative.

Hesse James · 04-01-2010, 01:04 AM

Nathan,

as of your at leasst 20 years old car you can apply for a youngtimer insurance. This will require a second "daily driver" and a Kilometer restriction. But maybe it is more hassle as to get a "normal" quote for insurance and take a "season" plate from April to November f.e.
I know Kaiserslautern, because I grew up 30 Kilometers away, and still my family lives there and my sister is working on Ramstein Air Base. You will have the autobahn right before your door. As I live now in the Rhein Main Area, which is about 100km away I only know reputable shops around here. But those guys may be worth a little drive. If you are interested, you can contact me anytime.

best regards

Heiko

NathanR · 04-08-2010, 05:31 PM

Sadly, neither my driving record nor my claims record is spotless. And I plan to drive my 911 all year.

I've heard some amazing stories about ADAC, I'll definitely look into that.

Heiko I may still ask your recommendations for shops, even if they are in Frankfurt. Ironically, I lived in the Rhein Main area when I was a kid!

If I understand you all correctly, "Youngtimers" insurance means a collectors car that is less than 25 years old, for which you would accept a kilometer limit? I went to the OCC website, but my German is not adequate to decipher it. (Translation, I don't speak or read it yet). This is basically what I have now and would like to duplicate if possible.

Thanks for the encouragement!
Nathan