The type class reform of the GDV changes the vehicle insurance landscape. Millions of drivers pay more – others benefit from better classifications.
Munich-Even before the official introduction of the new type classes of the overall association of the German Insurance Industry (GDV) on January 1, 2026 for existing contracts, there are significant effects on the vehicle insurance market. Many insurance companies are already using the GDV new ratings released at the beginning of September 2025 to new contracts and during the current change season.
The upcoming changes are significant: According to ADAC, around 10.4 million drivers receive a new type class in motor vehicle liability insurance. This affects more insured persons than in the previous year. Around 5.9 million vehicles are classified higher, which will lead to higher insurance premiums, while 4.5 million drivers could benefit from cheaper classifications. So who are the winners and who the losers?
These auto models benefit from the new types of car insurance
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The new types of car insurance offer some models considerable advantages. Although the statistics for type class statistics published by the GDV are not binding for insurers, it can now be used for new contracts and existing contracts for the main due date. This regulation creates an interesting market dynamics: While existing customers often have to wait until the turn of the year, new customers can already benefit from cheaper classifications or have to pay higher contributions for poorly rated vehicles.
According to the comparison portal Verivox, drivers of newer models such as the Lynk & Co 01 benefit the most in fully comprehensive insurance with a saving of 1029 euros (minus 39 percent) and the Mercedes GLC 220d with 707 euros less (minus 30 percent). Older models such as the Mitsubishi Colt and the VW Polo V (2010 to 2014) are also cheaper, with savings of 221 euros or 201 euros. In liability insurance, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 220D saves an additional 107 euros.
For the following vehicle models, insured persons will have to pay the most in the future
On the other hand, drivers will soon have to pay more models. Drivers of the Renault Austral are particularly affected with up to 211 euros in additional costs and the Hyundai Kona with 184 euros at the partial coverage. Renault Austral drivers also pay 131 euros more for liability insurance. The electrical smart #1 is also about 100 euros more expensive. The increases in these models are between 20 and 24 percent.
The strongest changes often affect newer vehicle models, as fewer historical damage to the damage initially templates. The GDV initially oriented itself towards damage expectations and now adapts them based on the actual experiences.
The new GDV classes do not affect all drivers
Many drivers are not affected by the new type classes. Every year, a neutral expert analyzes the damage statistics of around 33,000 vehicle models in Germany, as the GDV reports. This comprehensive evaluation of the damage balance from 2022 to 2024 forms the basis for the annual redesign of the type classes.
Although these are not binding for insurers, these can be applied to both new policies immediately and for existing contracts for the next key date – usually January 1, 2026. The type class remains unchanged for around 32 million car insured, which corresponds to 75 percent of all drivers. Large changes are rare, according to the GDV.
The evaluation system follows a transparent principle: a vehicle type with less damage and lower compensation performance is classified in a cheaper type class, while the opposite results in a deteriorated balance. In the case of comprehensive insurance, regional peculiarities such as theft rates, storm damage and game accidents as well as the vehicle value are also included in the evaluation. The new regional classes also play an important role in car insurance. (Sources: GDV, ADAC, Verivox) (bk/fh)