What happens if more kilometers are driven than specified?

 

Annual mileage is among the most important information to include in an insurance policy. If it's wrong, it can have expensive consequences.

Anyone who takes out a new car insurance, or changes the provider, knows the procedure: Pages and pages – or seemingly endless clicks on the online portal – the insurance company wants to know details about car, driver and more. Residence? Garage available? Married? Age of all drivers? Annual mileage?

Unlike some others, the last point at least sounds plausible: if you drive more, you have a higher accident risk, and therefore have to pay a higher premium. On the other hand, few-drivers can save money on liability and comprehensive insurance rates. So of course it's tempting to calculate this figure rather tightly – or even bend it down a bit.

Auto insurance: What happens if you drive more kilometers than stated?

However, this can be all the more expensive in the end. That is, if there is a crash and the insurance company notices the wrong information – for example, if an expert inspects the car. The car owner is then underinsured, and the provider can refuse or reduce the payment of the damage sum in the comprehensive insurance. If the insurer pays for the damage caused by the other party in an accident, it will reclaim at least part of the sum from the policyholder. A few hundred kilometers are usually no problem, but from the four-digit range, misstatements can have unpleasant consequences.

Auto insurance: a few hundred kilometers do not matter

An honest statement is therefore important. But should you limit your mileage to get a cheaper rate? It's usually not really worth it. Because insurance companies do not calculate exactly to the kilometer, but in ranges: 10.000, 15.000 or 20.000 kilometers per year are popular limits. Whether someone 12.000 or 14.It does not matter if you have driven more than 000 kilometers.

In addition, many car owners have long experienced a no-claims discount, so the difference between two mileage classes is practically negligible.

Auto insurance: Please report changes in mileage

Important to know: If, perhaps because of a move or a new job, the annual mileage changes, this must be declared to the insurance company. Of course, this can then become a bit more expensive – but conversely, with fewer miles, it can also be cheaper. (me)