Wiener Städtische
Wiener Städtische is a motor third-party liability insurance for the Austria market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
This is a compulsory motor third-party liability (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) product, so 'direct payment' relates to the injured third party rather than a treating provider. The IPID states the insurer covers justified compensation claims for personal injury, property damage and resulting financial loss, and also covers the cost of defending against unjustified claims - i.e. the insurer itself settles valid claims arising from the risk. The AVB (Art. 9) confirm that the insurer handles the injured party's compensation claims directly and treats self-settlement by the policyholder as an exception requiring the insurer's consent. This reflects the statutory direct claim right under Austrian law (§ 26 KHVG 1994), under which the injured third party may assert their claim directly against the insurer, who is jointly and severally liable with the insured. There is no reimburse-the-policyholder mechanism described for third-party claims; the insurer pays the injured party (or defends against the claim) directly.
Geographic scope
Austria
Europe in the geographical sense, and in any case the territory of all states that signed the Multilateral Agreement between the national insurance bureaus of the EEA member states and other associated states of 30 May 2002 (Green Card states).
Unique selling points
- Liability cover starts at EUR 10 million with no extra premium, well above Austria's statutory minimum sum.
- 24-hour roadside assistance is automatically included once the EUR 30 million Premium sum is chosen.
- The 'Bonusretter' feature protects your bonus level (stages 0-3) after an at-fault accident for around 10% extra premium.
- Household partners and children benefit from the policyholder's low bonus level under the family advantage.
- Premiums are reduced for low-CO2, electric and hybrid vehicles under a dedicated Electric/Hybrid vehicle package.
Coverage limits
Bodily Injury Liability
Covered
Covered within a single combined lump-sum insurance amount (Pauschalversicherungssumme) that jointly covers personal injury, property damage and pure financial loss per claim. Basic tier: EUR 10 million (smallest sum offered, no extra premium above the statutory minimum). Premium tier: EUR 30 million.
Property Damage Liability
Covered
Covered within the same combined lump-sum insurance amount as bodily injury and pure financial loss. Basic tier: EUR 10 million. Premium tier: EUR 30 million.
Defence Against Unjustified Claims
Covered
The policy covers the satisfaction of justified and the defence of unjustified third-party claims, within the agreed insurance sum; related legal costs are charged against that sum. This is distinct from the separately branded, optional Kfz-Rechtsschutz (motor legal protection) product offered up to EUR 200,000, which is not part of this MTPL policy.
Green Card / International Insurance Card
Covered
In states for which a Green Card is issued, or where its presentation is waived under the Multilateral Agreement, cover extends at least to the scope prescribed for foreign-registered vehicles in that state, or the scope agreed in the contract if higher. No separate monetary limit is stated.
Roadside Assistance (Pannenhilfe)
Conditional
Roadside assistance is selectable as an add-on under the Basic tier (EUR 10 million sum). It is automatically included with no extra premium once the Premium tier (EUR 30 million sum) is chosen. Liability cover for driving rented motor vehicles abroad is included as a fixed benefit in both tiers.
Driver Accident Insurance
Optional
Driver accident insurance ('Airbag' cover) is offered as an optional extra alongside the motor liability policy; no specific sum insured is published and it must be requested separately.
Passenger Accident Insurance
Optional
A dedicated passenger accident insurance is offered as an optional extra with no published fixed sum. Note that bodily injury claims of passengers as injured third parties (e.g. co-drivers) are already covered under the base liability sum described above.
Key conditions
Territorial scope
Cover extends to Europe in the geographical sense, and in any case to the territory of all states party to the 2002 Multilateral Agreement between national insurance bureaus (Green Card system); cover during waterborne transport of the vehicle is not interrupted if loading points are within the territorial scope.
Green card rules
In states where a Green Card is issued, or its presentation is waived under the Multilateral Agreement, cover applies at least to the scope prescribed in that state for foreign-registered vehicles, or the contractually agreed scope if broader. Cover ends with the end of the insurance contract even if the Green Card shows a later validity date.
Driver restrictions
Cover requires that the driver be legally authorised to drive (valid licence), not impaired by alcohol or drugs, and that the maximum permitted number of passengers not be exceeded; breach of these obligations can lead to full or partial exemption of the insurer from payment.
Claim notification deadline
The insurer must be notified of the insured event, any claim raised by an injured third party, or the initiation of related administrative or court proceedings within one week of becoming aware of it.
Bonus-malus rules
Premium is based on claims history under a bonus-malus system ranking each vehicle, by holder, on a scale from stage 0 to stage 17. Every claim-free year moves the stage one step toward 0 (bonus); a claim the insurer must cover moves it one step toward 17 (malus). The current stage is transferred when switching vehicle or insurer, verified via a central register of the Austrian insurance association.
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Bonus-Malus System
19-level Austrian bonus-malus system for motor third-party liability insurance with claim-free years reducing premium and claims increasing premium
Minimum Coverage Sum
Legally required minimum motor third-party liability coverage of EUR 7.6 million combined for personal injury and property damage
Third-Party Direct Claim
Damaged third parties are entitled to directly claim compensation from the motor third-party liability insurer
Liability Cover for Rented Vehicles Abroad
Driver liability cover for rented motor vehicles used abroad is included as a fixed benefit in both the Basic and Premium tiers of the product.
Co-insured Persons
Coverage extends to vehicle owner, keeper, and persons using the vehicle with keeper's consent or being transported in it
Preliminary Coverage
Preliminary motor third-party liability coverage begins with vehicle registration confirmation and continues until policy is received
Loss Limitation for Misconduct
Insurer's performance limitation for breach of obligation is capped at EUR 11,000 per claim and maximum EUR 22,000 per policy year