Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen (VRK) - group comprising VRK Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit im Raum der Kirchen, VRK Sachversicherung AG, VRK Krankenversicherung AG and VRK Lebensversicherung AG
VRK
VRK is a motor third-party liability insurance for the Germany market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
If a third party's claim against the policyholder is valid, VRK pays the claim directly on the policyholder's behalf up to the agreed sums insured; unfounded or excessive claims are defended by VRK at its own cost.
Geographic scope
Germany (nationwide)
Cover applies within the geographic borders of Europe and non-European territories belonging to the EU; with an International Insurance (Green) Card, cover extends to the non-European countries listed on it unless crossed out.
Unique selling points
- VRK's motor liability cover offers up to EUR 100 million in combined liability coverage, including up to EUR 15 million per injured person, well above Germany's statutory minimums.
- The Mallorca-Police extending liability cover to rented cars abroad is included free of charge in the Classic tariff, a benefit many competitors charge extra for.
- For every new motor policy, VRK funds the renaturation of 1 m² of German moorland through a EUR 1.67 donation to Naturefund, reflecting its ethical, sustainability-driven investment approach.
- Schutzbrief customers benefit from a breakdown assistance hotline that is reachable around the clock, every day of the year.
Coverage limits
Bodily Injury Liability
€15,000,000
VRK's motor liability insurance covers bodily injury claims up to EUR 15 million per injured person, within an overall combined limit of up to EUR 100 million for personal, property and pure financial damage, as agreed in the policy schedule. The same agreed sums insured apply in both the Basis and Classic tariffs.
Property Damage / Financial Loss Liability
€100,000,000
Property damage and pure financial loss caused to third parties are covered up to the combined sum insured of up to EUR 100 million agreed in the policy schedule, as described on VRK's product page and in AKB A.1.3. The same agreed sums insured apply in both the Basis and Classic tariffs.
Defence Against Unfounded Claims
Covered
If claims made against the policyholder are unfounded or excessive, VRK defends against them at its own expense as part of the motor liability cover (AKB A.1.1).
International Insurance (Green) Card
Covered
The International Insurance Card, where issued, serves only as proof of cover in motor liability insurance. Abroad, at minimum the compulsory cover of the visited country applies, or the better VRK cover if it is higher; if the card lists further non-European countries not crossed out, cover extends there too (AKB A.1.4).
Schutzbrief (Roadside Assistance / Protection Letter)
Optional
The Schutzbrief is a separately contracted, paid add-on (AKB describes it as its own legally independent contract) providing on-the-spot breakdown/accident help, towing, rental car, continuation/return travel, overnight stays and other assistance benefits, with individual caps per service (e.g. up to EUR 200 for roadside recovery, up to EUR 80/day for up to 7 days for a rental car). It is not automatically included in motor liability cover.
Fahrerschutz (Driver Accident Protection)
Optional
Fahrerschutz is a separately contracted rider (its own legally independent contract per the AKB) that compensates the driver's own accident-related personal injury as if VRK were liable under motor liability rules, including loss of earnings, pain and suffering, care costs and, for hospitalisation, an additional hospital daily allowance of EUR 20/day for up to 4 weeks (AKB A.4).
Fahrerschutz Extension to Passengers
Optional
Where Fahrerschutz is agreed (a separate, paid rider), the same accident-related personal injury protection also covers all other occupants and the vehicle's registered keeper, not only the driver, and includes the hospital daily allowance of EUR 20/day for up to 4 weeks (AKB A.4.2, A.4.1.2).
Key conditions
Territorial scope
Liability cover applies within the geographic borders of Europe and non-European territories belonging to the EU; if an International Insurance (Green) Card has been issued, cover also extends to the non-European countries listed on it unless crossed out.
Green card rules
The International Insurance Card serves only as proof of cover in motor liability insurance; abroad, at minimum the compulsory cover of the visited country applies, or the better VRK cover if it is higher.
Driver restrictions
The vehicle may only be used by a driver authorised by the person entitled to dispose of it and holding the legally required driving licence; the policyholder, keeper or owner must not knowingly allow the vehicle to be driven by an unauthorised driver, one without the required licence, or one unfit to drive safely due to alcohol or other intoxicants.
Claim notification deadline
Any claim event must be reported within one week (verbal or phone notification suffices); theft of the vehicle or co-insured items must be reported in text form (e.g. letter or email).
Bonus-malus rules
Premiums in motor liability (and comprehensive cover) can depend on the No-Claims (SF) class, determined by contract duration and claim-free years. The contract is re-rated once per insurance year: one class better after a claim-free year, or downgraded per the SF tables after a claims-affected year; an optional Rabattschutz can keep one claim per calendar year from triggering a downgrade.
Where to buy
Documents
General Terms and Conditions for Motor Insurance (AKB) with Customer Information
Terms & conditions
Policy specifics
Protection Letter / Roadside Assistance
Optional roadside assistance and emergency service coverage
SourceCyber Attack and Autonomous Vehicle Coverage
Coverage for damage caused by cyberattacks, sensor failures, or autonomous driving system malfunctions
SourceEnvironmental Damage Coverage
Motor liability insurance automatically includes Kfz-Umweltschadenversicherung, covering the policyholder's statutory liability for environmental damage under the German Environmental Damage Act caused by an accident, breakdown or sudden operational malfunction, up to EUR 5 million per claim and EUR 10 million total per insurance year (AKB A.1.7, A.6.4).
SourceCoverage Limit for Personal Injury per Person
Maximum of 15 million euros per injured person in a single claim event
SourceDuty to Minimize Damage
Policyholder must take reasonable steps to minimize loss and cooperate in claim investigation
SourceClaims-Free Bonus System
Premium reduction for claim-free years; premium increase upon claim occurrence
Source