Smile Insurance Agency & IT Solutions GmbH
Smile
Smile is a motor casco insurance for the Austria market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
The reviewed sources do not specify whether repair costs are paid directly to the garage or reimbursed to the policyholder; in any case, Helvetia's consent is required before repair work begins.
Geographic scope
Europe (geographical scope, contractually extendable)
Cover applies in Europe in the geographical sense; the scope can be contractually extended.
Unique selling points
- Voted Austria's best car insurance ('Beste KFZ-Versicherung') by the Austrian Society for Consumer Studies (ÖGVS) in 2025, ahead of 16 other insurers.
- Unlike most competitors' annual contracts, smile.car customers can cancel monthly instead of being locked into a full policy year.
- Parking-damage and vandalism cover for passenger cars/station wagons is already included free of charge in the entry-level Teilkasko, a benefit many competitors charge extra for.
- The optional 'Mind the GAP' clause pays the shortfall between the vehicle's replacement value and the outstanding leasing residual value in case of total loss or theft.
- An optional upgrade lets customers insure gross-negligence damage for the full sum insured, removing the payout reduction insurers normally apply.
Coverage limits
Own damage / collision cover
Conditional
Only in Vollkasko
Covers damage to the insured vehicle caused by a self-inflicted collision or accident. Only included in the Vollkasko (fully comprehensive) tier; Teilkasko excludes self-caused collision damage. Settled as repair costs, or the vehicle's current value less any salvage value if repair costs plus salvage exceed current value (total loss), or current value if the vehicle is stolen/robbed and not recovered.
Total loss settlement
Covered
If estimated repair costs plus the vehicle's residual/salvage value exceed its current value, Helvetia pays the current value less the residual value; if the vehicle is stolen or robbed and not recovered, the current value is paid. Applies across covered Teilkasko and Vollkasko perils.
Partial damage / repair cost cover
Covered
Partial damage (e.g. from fire, glass breakage, natural hazards, theft attempts, or - in Vollkasko - collision) is reimbursed at repair cost, within the agreed sum insured/limits.
Theft, robbery and unauthorized use
Covered
Covers theft, robbery and unauthorized use of the vehicle; included in both Teilkasko and Vollkasko. If the vehicle is stolen/robbed and not recovered, the current value is paid.
Glass breakage
Covered
Covers breakage of front, side and rear windows as well as small glass parts, for passenger cars and station wagons (PKW/Kombi); included in both Teilkasko and Vollkasko.
Natural hazards, fire and animal collision
Covered
Covers damage from lightning strike, rockfall, landslide, avalanches (incl. roof avalanches), snow pressure, hail, flood/inundation, storm, as well as fire, explosion, and collision with animals (incl. bites to cables/hoses and cable-scorch damage); included in both Teilkasko and Vollkasko. Earthquake and nuclear damage are explicitly excluded.
Parking damage and vandalism
Covered
Parking-damage and vandalism cover for passenger cars/station wagons is included already in Teilkasko; Vollkasko additionally covers damage caused by unidentified/unknown vehicles.
Roadside assistance
No limit stated
Not part of the Kasko product itself; roadside assistance is offered as a separate product (Allgemeine Bedingungen für die Kfz-Assistance - 488964/2506, marketed as 'Smile Assist').
Replacement vehicle
No limit stated
Not mentioned in the Kasko IPID or the special conditions reviewed; no replacement-vehicle benefit is described as part of this Kasko product.
Driver/occupant accident cover
No limit stated
Not part of the Kasko product; occupant accident cover is sold as a separate product (Allgemeine Bedingungen für die Kfz-Insassenunfallversicherung - 414955/2506).
Key conditions
Driver age and experience limit
No minimum driver age or experience requirement is stated in the reviewed Kasko documents.
Repair network requirements
There is no requirement to use a specific repair-shop network, but the policyholder must obtain Helvetia's consent before repair work begins.
Territorial scope
Cover applies in Europe in the geographical sense; the scope can be contractually extended.
Anti-theft requirements
No specific anti-theft device or security requirement is stated in the reviewed documents.
Claim notification deadline
Claims, and the initiation of administrative or court proceedings, must be reported to Helvetia within one week of becoming aware of them. In the event of theft, robbery, unauthorized use, fire, explosion or wildlife-related damage (and, where insured, damage from unknown vehicles or vandalism), the nearest police station must be notified immediately.
Deductible rules
The claim payment is reduced by the agreed deductible (Selbstbehalt); if the insured vehicle value was declared too low, the payout is reduced proportionally (underinsurance).
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Gross negligence waiver
Optional upgrade that provides coverage for damages caused by gross negligence, which would normally result in reduced or denied benefits
SourceLeasing gap coverage (GAP)
Optional upgrade (Mind the GAP) that covers the difference between the replacement value and leasing residual value in case of total loss or theft
SourceReduced deductible arrangement
Not established from the insurer's documents
Kasko coverage includes a reduced deductible (specifically noted as 'eingeschränkter Selbstbehalt' - limited/restricted deductible)
SourceThird-party source, not the insurer's documentParking damage and vandalism coverage included
Not established from the insurer's documents
Parking damage and vandalism coverage is included free of charge in all Kasko policies
SourceThird-party source, not the insurer's documentIndirect lightning strike coverage for electric vehicles
Not established from the insurer's documents
Electric and hybrid vehicles with battery are covered against indirect lightning strikes without extra charge
SourceThird-party source, not the insurer's documentMonthly cancellation right
Policyholders have the right to cancel their insurance contract on a monthly basis, rather than being locked into annual contracts
SourceFlexible coverage tier selection
Customers can choose between liability only, partial comprehensive, or full comprehensive coverage, with optional upgrades available
SourceOnline claims reporting and management
Policyholders can report and manage claims entirely online through the website and mobile app
SourceNo long-term contract binding
Unlike traditional insurers, Smile does not require long-term contract commitments
Source