Skyrocketing costs of car insurance for numerous motorists

In the heart of Germany, the state of Hesse is seeing some significant changes in motor vehicle liability insurance premiums. Here's a breakdown of the latest developments.

Firstly, it's worth noting that the cities of Cassel, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Wetzlar, Heppenheim, Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Rheingau-Taunus, and Waldeck-Frankenberg are all part of Hesse.

Two districts within Hesse—Offenbach and Berlin—stand out from the rest, as nearly 40 percent of claims in these areas are above the national average. Intriguingly, these are the only districts in the entire state where insurance premiums are set to decrease.

The city of Offenbach, in particular, holds a dubious distinction. It has the worst claims record nationwide for motor vehicle liability insurance, closely followed by Berlin. Despite this, the cost of insurance in Offenbach will remain unchanged.

However, this isn't the case for the majority of drivers in Hesse. Approximately one in four will move to a less favorable regional class for liability insurance, which could mean higher premiums for many.

On a positive note, the Schwalm-Eder district and the Vogelsberg district are expected to see a decrease in premiums from 2026, due to fewer accidents. The districts of Insurance Reclassification, overseen by the Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV), aim to adjust premiums based on local claims data.

These changes reflect a broader trend in insurance across Germany, as the industry continues to adapt to regional differences in risk and claims. As always, drivers are encouraged to shop around for the best deals and to maintain safe driving habits to keep their premiums as low as possible.