Motor vehicle insurance: expensive shock for 720,000 Hesse drivers in 2026!

Motor vehicle insurance: expensive shock for 720,000 Hesse drivers in 2026!

An increase in motor vehicle insurance premiums is imminent in Hesse, which could also have a significant impact on drivers in neighboring regions. In a total of eight registration districts, including five cities and three rural districts, many drivers are upgraded in an unpleasant way. The new classifications for liability insurance are based on the current claims history and affect around 720,000 vehicle owners. The affected cities are Kassel, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Wetzlar and Heppenheim (Bergstrasse), while the districts of Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Rheingau-Taunus and Waldeck-Frankenberg are the main players, it is reported hessenschau.de.

But what exactly is the cause of this increase? It is mainly the increased claims history in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse that is forcing insurers to settle more expensive claims. Particularly striking is the Offenbach region, which ranks with the highest regional class 12 and has the worst damage record in the country. Here, almost 40 percent of the damage is above average, which could make driving very expensive for residents.

Changes to the regional classes

By 2026, the regional class classification for the 413 registration districts in Germany will change drastically. In Hesse, many drivers will be affected by a less favorable regional class, while in places like Schwalm-Eder and Vogelsbergkreis cheaper premiums await the vehicles. A far-reaching change is imminent, and it can be expected that around one in four drivers will be placed in a less advantageous regional class.

The regional classes are not only crucial for liability insurance, but also affect partial and fully comprehensive insurance. These new classifications will also apply in 2026, which means that drivers should take a close look at whether they are still well positioned under their current contract. The experts at ADAC recommend that you consider changing your vehicle insurance in order to benefit from cheaper premiums.

Motor vehicle insurance at a glance

Motor vehicle insurance is one of the largest areas of property and casualty insurance in Germany. In addition to the legally required liability insurance, it also includes partial and fully comprehensive insurance, which offers additional protection. In 2023, there were a total of 94 companies active in motor vehicle liability insurance in Germany, with Allianz holding the largest share, with around 10 percent of the 70.4 million contracts.

• Durchschnittliche Jahresprämie Kfz-Haftpflicht: etwa 256 Euro
• Durchschnittliche Jahresprämie Teilkasko: etwa 82 Euro
• Durchschnittliche Jahresprämie Vollkasko: ca. 333 Euro

Drivers are well advised to find out about their insurance options and to closely monitor the upcoming changes in regional classes. Even if customers stay in the more expensive regions, it may be worthwhile to regularly consider changing providers for liability insurance or comprehensive insurance in order to keep costs under control. The market for motor vehicle insurance is changing, and profitable decisions are more in demand than ever, warns Statista.