Austrian Civil Servants' Insurance (ÖBV), Mutual Insurance Association
ÖBV
ÖBV is a motor third-party liability insurance for the Austria market with no online purchase and limited assistance availability.
Direct payment
The ÖBV motor liability policy (underwritten via Wiener Städtische Versicherung AG / ÖBV Selekt) is a third-party liability product: the IPID states it covers justified damage/compensation claims of third parties against the vehicle owner/driver for bodily injury, property damage and financial loss, plus defense against unjustified claims, up to the agreed sum insured. Under the Austrian KHVG (§26 'direktes Klagerecht'), the injured third party has a direct legal right to claim against the insurer, so the insurer settles compensation directly with the injured party/claimant (and, in practice, often directly with the repair garage via a cost-coverage confirmation) rather than reimbursing the policyholder after the policyholder has paid the third party. The policyholder is only reimbursed in the exceptional case where they have already compensated the injured party out of pocket.
Geographic scope
Europe in the geographical sense; contractual extension possible
Coverage extends to Austria, all EU/EEA member states and the other signatory states of the Multilateral Guarantee Agreement between national insurance bureaus (e.g. Switzerland/Liechtenstein, Norway, UK, Andorra, Serbia)
Unique selling points
- Premium variant offers a EUR 30 million combined liability sum insured, well above Austria's statutory minimum of EUR 7.6 million.
- Free Kfz-Rechtsbeistand-Assistance covers legal representation costs up to EUR 3,000 in criminal proceedings and EUR 7,500 in civil proceedings at no extra premium.
- The optional 'Bonusretter' keeps a customer's no-claims bonus level unchanged after a claim for vehicles starting at bonus level 0-3.
- Extended breakdown assistance with additional benefits is included in the Premium variant at no extra cost.
- Two-wheeler owners pay no premium for the period their licence plate is deposited over winter.
Coverage limits
Bodily Injury Liability
€10,000,000 – €30,000,000
Single combined sum insured covers personal injury, property damage and pure financial loss per claim. Two selectable variants: Premium with EUR 30,000,000 sum insured, or Basis with EUR 10,000,000 sum insured.
Property Damage Liability
€10,000,000 – €30,000,000
Property damage is covered under the same combined sum insured as bodily injury and pure financial loss (EUR 10,000,000 Basis or EUR 30,000,000 Premium variant); it is not a separate limit.
Legal Defence
€7,500
Defence against unjustified third-party claims (including criminal proceedings conducted on the insurer's instruction) is included within the insured sum. In addition, a free Kfz-Rechtsbeistand-Assistance service covers legal representation costs up to EUR 3,000 in criminal proceedings and up to EUR 7,500 in civil proceedings for damages.
Green Card / International Motor Insurance Card
Covered
In states for which a Green Card is issued or for which its presentation is waived under the multilateral guarantee agreement, cover extends at least to the scope required for foreign-registered vehicles in that state, or to the contractually agreed scope if higher.
Roadside Breakdown Assistance
Conditional
Only in Premium (EUR 30 Mio.)
Extended breakdown assistance with additional benefits is included only for customers who select the Premium variant (EUR 30,000,000 sum insured); it is not included in the Basis variant (EUR 10,000,000).
Driver Personal Accident Cover
Excluded
The driver's own damage/injury claims are explicitly excluded from the MTPL cover ('Schadenersatzansprüche des Lenkers').
Passenger Accident Cover
Excluded
Accident benefits for the vehicle's own occupants are not part of the MTPL product; a separate Kfz-Insassenunfallversicherung is offered as an additional, separately purchasable product.
Key conditions
Territorial scope
Cover applies to Europe in the geographical sense and at least to all states that signed the 30 May 2002 multilateral agreement between the national insurance bureaus of the EEA member states and other associated states (list includes all EU states plus Switzerland/Liechtenstein, Norway, UK, Andorra, Serbia, Montenegro, etc.).
Green card rules
For countries where a Green Card is issued or its presentation waived by the multilateral agreement, cover applies at least to the level required for foreign-registered vehicles in that country, and ends when the underlying policy ends even if the Green Card shows a later validity date.
Driver restrictions
Cover is excluded or reduced if the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs, drove without a valid licence, exceeded the agreed maximum number of passengers, used a vehicle other than the one currently displaying the swap licence plates, or otherwise breached agreed conditions of use.
Claim notification deadline
The insured must notify the insurer of the claim, any claim raised by a third party, and the initiation of related administrative or court proceedings within one week of becoming aware of them; immediate notification to the nearest police station is required in case of personal injury.
Bonus-malus rules
Premium can be rated according to the insured's claims history (Bonus-Malus). The insured must be informed about the system before contracting and can request a certificate of claims history at any time to transfer the bonus level when switching insurer. An optional 'Bonusretter' feature lets customers starting at bonus level 0-3 keep their bonus level after a claim.
Policy specifics
Breakdown Assistance
Extended breakdown assistance service included, with different levels depending on insurance sum chosen
SourceWinter Season Premium Waiver
No premiums charged during winter months when registration plate is deposited
SourceBonus Protection (Bonusretter)
Optional bonus/no-claims class protection allowing customer to maintain discount after a claim
SourceSubsidiary Driver Liability Protection
Subsidiary driver liability protection is included as a highlight of the Premium variant (EUR 30,000,000 sum insured), alongside breakdown assistance with additional cover.
SourcePreliminary Coverage / Temporary Protection
Insurance protection begins with issuance of insurance certificate, before policy document received
SourceBonus-Malus Premium Rating System
Austrian unified system with 19 levels (0-18) affecting premium based on claims history
SourceClaims Notification Deadline
Insured must notify insurer of damage, claims and legal proceedings within one week
SourceMulti-Vehicle Household Discount
Special discount for multiple vehicles insured in same household
SourcePremium Payment Timing
First premium must be paid within 2 weeks of policy issuance; annual, half-yearly, quarterly or monthly payment options
Source