This happens when the kilometer limit is exceeded?

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Lerato Khumalo

Pay attention to the mileage

More kilometers than registered: What this means for the vehicle insurance


12.08.2025 – 4:43 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.

Annual mileage: If there are significantly more kilometers than stated, the punishment is high. (Source: Imago/Daniel Kubirski/Imago)

A spontaneous vacation and it happened. The mileage of the vehicle insurance is exceeded. What should you do now?

When taking out vehicle insurance, the expected annual mileage must be specified. This is a decisive factor for calculating the insurance contribution. Because the higher the mileage, the higher the risk of accidents. What happens when the annual mileage is exceeded and there is even an accident? An overview.

Basically, it is not a problem if the annual mileage is exceeded as long as there is an exceedance of around ten to 15 percent. If there are significantly more kilometers than stated, insured persons must pay a penalty payment in the amount of a complete annual fee. Again and again such cases end up in court.

Insurance coverage is not at risk of liability if the actual mileage does not match the contractually agreed. The insurance is liable in the event of damage. However, the insurance claims can occur.

Check the mileage regularly: This is the simplest way to notice exceeding. In this case, you should also contact the insurer immediately. This also helps to correctly classify the mileage next year.

You should not be guided by the good offer: the motor vehicle insurers attract with decent discounts who indicate a low mileage. At this point in particular, insured persons do not always take it so precisely and round off. False information, however, quickly flies up after an accident.

The insurance companies can be submitted to the mileage when the damage reports. In the event of major deviations, there are high contractual penalties.

Sometimes it is difficult to correctly assess your own driving behavior. The costs can already affect 1,000 kilometers more a year. It is therefore worth taking a closer look at the usual mileage limits of most insurance companies:

The respective levels of the insurance are usually also in the contract or can be requested directly from the insurance company.

The living conditions can change and thus also the mileage. If this happens during a current year, the kilometer class can be changed by the insurer for the future.

If the year is already around and the kilometers have been significantly below, this can also be reported to the insurance company. Insurance often reimburses the difference. The attempt is worth it.