The basic rules are set out in German law and rarely change. Your policy document always states the end of your contract – that date is decisive.

The general rule

  • Contracts with a term of at least one year renew automatically for another year unless cancelled. The notice period must be between one and three months (§ 11 VVG).
  • Contracts longer than three years can be cancelled at the end of the third year and every year after that with three months’ notice (§ 11 (4) VVG).
  • Premium increase: you may cancel within one month of receiving the notice (§ 40 VVG).
  • After a claim: both sides may cancel – up to one month after the settlement negotiations (§ 92 VVG).

By line of business

  • Car: usually one month before expiry – for contracts ending 31 December that means 30 November. Special cancellation after a premium increase, after a claim and when changing the vehicle.
  • Household, liability, accident, building: usually three months before expiry.
  • Legal expenses: usually three months; you may cancel after the insurer refuses a justified claim once.
  • Life, pension, disability: cancellation is possible at the end of the current payment period (§ 168 VVG), but is almost always the most expensive option – consider premium-free continuation instead.
  • Private health insurance: three months to the end of the insurance year (§ 205 VVG); after a premium increase two months from receipt; full cover can only be cancelled with proof of follow-on insurance.
  • Statutory health insurance: twelve months’ binding period, two months’ notice to the end of a month; special right to switch when the supplementary contribution rises.

General information, not legal advice. Sources: German Insurance Contract Act (VVG), § 175 SGB V, Federal Ministry of Health, consumer advice centres – as of October 2026. Unsure which period applies to you? Get in touch.