ERGO
ERGO is a motor third-party liability insurance for the DE market with online purchase and limited assistance availability.
Direct payment
ERGO pays valid third-party claims directly to the claimant in cash; it defends unfounded claims at its own cost on behalf of the policyholder (Regulierungsvollmacht). Claims against the insured person are settled or defended by ERGO in the policyholder's name.
Geographic scope
DE
Geografische Grenzen Europas sowie außereuropäische Gebiete des EU-Geltungsbereichs; für nicht-europäische Länder nur mit Grüner Versicherungskarte; Kfz-Umweltschadenhaftpflicht gilt außerhalb Deutschlands nur im EWR
Unique selling points
- Lump-sum MTPL limit of EUR 100 million per loss event, with up to EUR 15 million per injured person – well above the German statutory minimum of EUR 7.5 million for personal injury.
- Mallorca clause (Mietfahrzeug im Ausland) included as standard in both Smart and Best tariffs, extending MTPL cover to rented motorcycles and cars used abroad at German coverage levels.
- Kfz-Umweltschadenhaftpflicht (environmental liability) is automatically included when MTPL exceeds the statutory minimum, covering public-law remediation claims up to EUR 5 million per event and EUR 10 million per year.
- Online issuance with immediate eVB number: ERGO provides the electronic insurance confirmation number (eVB) instantly upon online contract conclusion, enabling immediate vehicle registration.
- No-claims history transfer from a relative's or employer's vehicle is possible (Übernahme des Schadensverlaufs), allowing favourable SF-class entry for new policyholders.
Coverage limits
Bodily injury liability (up to 15 million EUR per person)
Covered
ERGO pays compensation for bodily injury and death caused to third parties by use of the insured vehicle. The lump-sum coverage limit is 100 million EUR per loss event; per injured person the sub-limit is 15 million EUR. Multiple temporally connected losses with the same cause count as one loss event.
SourceProperty damage liability (lump sum 100 million EUR)
Covered
ERGO covers property damage and pure financial losses caused to third parties by use of the insured vehicle. The combined lump-sum limit for all damage categories (bodily injury, property damage, financial loss) is 100 million EUR per loss event. If the agreed sums are insufficient, the policyholder must cover the excess personally.
SourceLegal defence within MTPL (Regulierungsvollmacht)
Covered
ERGO defends unfounded third-party claims against the policyholder at its own expense as part of the Regulierungsvollmacht within the MTPL. A separate standalone Kfz-Rechtsschutz insurance is not part of this product but can be added as an independent policy.
SourceGreen card / International Motor Insurance Certificate
Covered
ERGO confirms MTPL cover for non-European countries listed on the International Green Card. Countries crossed out on the card are excluded. For EU/EEA countries within the geographic scope of Europe, cover applies automatically under the policy. If a higher statutory minimum is required abroad, ERGO provides that higher level of cover.
SourceRoadside assistance / Kfz-Schutzbrief
Optional
The Kfz-Schutzbrief (roadside assistance) can be added as an optional module to the MTPL policy. It covers breakdown assistance, towing (up to the nearest suitable repair workshop), vehicle recovery, transportation costs for passengers, accommodation, and illness/death assistance during travel. Coverage applies throughout Europe (aligned with the MTPL territorial scope). On-site breakdown assistance is capped at EUR 150 for the vehicle-based Kfz-Schutzbrief product; towing is also capped at EUR 250 (vehicle-bound version) or EUR 500 (if ERGO organises the service). Not included by default — must be selected at inception.
SourceDriver accident cover
Excluded
Driver personal accident cover is not included in the MTPL product. The MTPL covers bodily injury to third parties only; it does not cover personal injury to the driver who caused the accident. An optional driver accident add-on (Fahrerschutz) is not listed as part of this specific AKB Smart/Best product, though it may be available as a separate policy.
SourcePassenger accident liability (third-party bodily injury)
Covered
Bodily injury to passengers caused by the use of the insured vehicle is covered under the MTPL as third-party bodily injury. Passengers who are not the authorised user/owner are covered as third parties. Passengers' property damage or financial loss claims against the policyholder or owner by an insured person riding as a passenger are excluded under section C.2.
SourceKey conditions
territorial_scope
Cover applies within the geographical boundaries of Europe and in non-European territories belonging to the European Union. For non-European countries, cover is confirmed only via the International Green Card. In EU/EEA countries, the Kfz-Umweltschadenhaftpflicht applies only where the EU Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) applies. If a higher mandatory level of cover is required abroad, ERGO provides that higher level.
green_card_rules
ERGO issues an International Green Card (Internationale Grüne Versicherungskarte) confirming MTPL cover for the non-European countries listed on the card. Countries crossed out on the card are excluded. The card is required as proof of cover when travelling in countries that are not members of the European Green Card system. Within the geographic boundaries of Europe, cover applies automatically under the policy without presentation of the Green Card.
driver_restrictions
The MTPL cover applies to the policyholder and all additionally insured persons (mitversicherte Personen) including the vehicle owner, holder, driver of the insured vehicle, certain co-drivers in an employment relationship, the employer if the vehicle is used for official purposes with the policyholder's consent, and holders/owners/drivers of insured trailers or towed vehicles. Only authorised persons may use the vehicle (those using it with the knowledge and will of the entitled person). The driver must hold the required driving licence. The policyholder, holder and owner must not knowingly allow an unauthorised person to use the vehicle. Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics is an obligation breach that may result in reduction of up to EUR 5,000 of the insurer's recourse against the policyholder.
claim_notification_deadline
The policyholder must notify ERGO immediately (unverzüglich) of any loss event that may lead to a claim. For extrajudicial claims asserted against the policyholder, notification must occur within one week of the claim being made. Court proceedings (e.g. lawsuit, payment order) must be reported without delay. For property damage likely not exceeding EUR 500, the policyholder may settle directly; if unsuccessful, ERGO must be informed without delay. In case of theft, fire or animal collision, the police must be informed immediately and ERGO notified.
bonus_malus_rules
Premiums for MTPL and comprehensive (Vollkasko) are calculated on the basis of uninterrupted claim-free years (Schadenfreiheitsklassen, SF-Klassen). For motorcycles/scooters the scale runs from class M (new/claim-affected, 155% base rate in MTPL) through 0, SF 1/2, SF 1 to SF 20+ (24% in MTPL). Each claim-free calendar year advances the contract one class in the progression table. If a claim is recorded, the contract is downgraded according to the regression tables (Rückstufungstabellen). For motorcycles, one claim from SF 1–7 in MTPL typically results in regression to SF 1/2. For the Smart tariff, the regression is steeper than for the Best tariff. Voluntary repayment of a settled claim prevents downgrading in MTPL. An optional Rabattschutz (available in Best tariff only) protects the SF class after one claim per calendar year.
Where to buy
Documents
ERGO Allgemeine Bedingungen für die Kfz-Versicherung (AKB, Stand: 14.9.2019) – Pkw und Krafträder Smart/Best
terms_and_conditions
ERGO AKB Kfz-Versicherung Stand 14.9.2019 (Maklerportal-Version, 1.2020)
terms_and_conditions
ERGO Allgemeine Bedingungen für die Kfz-Versicherung – Motorradversicherung (ergo.com)
terms_and_conditions
Policy specifics
Animal bite consequential damage coverage
Coverage for damages to vehicle parts resulting from animal bites (e.g., marten damage to cables and electrical systems)
Short circuit consequential damage
Coverage for damages to vehicle components caused by electrical short circuits in the vehicle's wiring
Replacement vehicle coverage
Provision of replacement vehicle during repair period after insured damage within Germany
New price compensation
Reimbursement of new vehicle purchase price in case of total loss within specified period after first registration
Workshop network binding
Optional premium workshop selection for damage repair with defined service standards
Mallorca clause (rental vehicle abroad)
The MTPL product (section C.1 of the AKB for Smart/Best) includes a Mallorca clause (Mallorca-Police) for rental vehicles used abroad. ERGO covers use of rented Pkw, motorcycles or light motorcycles on a trip abroad. The maximum limit per loss event equals that of the German policy; any locally existing MTPL cover is deducted. Only drivers listed in the German policy are covered. The holder's statutory liability for the rental vehicle is excluded.
Environmental liability protection (Kfz-Umweltschadenhaftpflicht)
The Kfz-Umweltschadenhaftpflicht is a legally separate, standalone contract covering public-law remediation claims under the German Environmental Damage Act (USchadG) caused by the vehicle. The limit is EUR 5 million per loss event, with a maximum of EUR 10 million per insurance year. It is included automatically when MTPL cover above the statutory minimum is agreed, and terminates automatically if the MTPL is cancelled or reduced to the minimum.
Deductible selection
Policyholder can select deductible amounts for comprehensive and collision coverage
Tariff variants (Smart and Best)
Two main tariff levels with different coverage scope and optional module availability
Environmental liability protection
Coverage for environmental damage claims arising from vehicle accidents (e.g., fuel spillage)
Mallorca clause
Extended coverage for rental vehicles abroad when local insurance limits are insufficient
No wear and tear deduction
Waiver of depreciation deduction for replacement parts and paint work in damage settlement