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This page is a translation for orientation only. The German version is legally authoritative. All decisions and provisions named on this page refer to German law. This translation was produced automatically/editorially and has not yet been reviewed by a native speaker for accuracy.

While your vehicle is out of service, you are entitled to reimbursement of rental car costs. An Unfallersatztarif (accident replacement tariff) — pricier than the Normaltarif (standard tariff) — is reimbursable only for genuine accident-related extras or a real Not- und Eilsituation (emergency). The Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) looks at the vehicle class rented, not a hypothetical budget. Insurers often cut costs via their own rental partner's flat rate or an Eigenersparnisabzug (savings deduction). A general information letter naming no vehicle does not bind you.

Mietwagen (Rental Car) After the Accident: What the Insurer Must Pay and Where It May Cut Costs

You are entitled to reimbursement of the necessary rental car costs for the period your vehicle is out of service, though an expensive Unfallersatztarif (accident replacement tariff) is only reimbursable under specific conditions.

The Unfallersatztarif (accident replacement tariff) is a price higher than the Normaltarif (standard market tariff) that rental companies charge to price in the particular risk of an accident rental — advance performance, uncertain payment by the opposing insurer, and extra administrative effort. Whether it is reimbursable in full depends on whether a cheaper Normaltarif was accessible to you and whether a genuine Not- und Eilsituation (emergency situation) existed. The benchmark for comparison is lists such as Schwacke or Fraunhofer, not the vehicle's engine power.

Can I Get a Rental Car Through My Kaskoversicherung Too?

If you have Kaskoversicherung (comprehensive vehicle insurance): A rental car is generally not covered under Kaskoversicherung. It is reimbursable there only if you agreed a separate rental car add-on — regardless of how the opposing party's Haftpflichtversicherung (third-party liability insurance) settles the claim.

Do I Have to Accept the Repair Shop or Partner Rental Car Named by the Insurer?

In settling the claim, you are „Herr des Restitutionsgeschehens" (literally "master of the restitution process") — the Dispositionsfreiheit (your freedom to decide how the damage is remedied) under § 249 Abs. 2 Satz 1 BGB lies with you, not the insurer (BGH, judgment of 29.01.2019, VI ZR 481/17). A mere general information letter naming no specific vehicle does not bind you.

In fairness: The Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) limits the claim to the Unfallersatztarif once there is no longer a genuine Not- und Eilsituation — as a rule, renting only on the day after the accident is no longer enough on its own. Whether such a situation existed in your case depends on the specific circumstances of the rental.

Also known as

  • Unfallersatztarif
  • insurance cut my rental car bill after an accident
  • insurer only paid the standard car rental rate not the accident rate
  • accident replacement tariff Germany insurance dispute
  • German insurer rental car reimbursement refused
  • rental car cost deduction after car accident Germany

The numbers

ValueMeaningSourceAs of
20 ProzentFlat surcharge on the Normaltarif (standard tariff) that the BGH confirmed as appropriate in a genuine Not- und Eilsituation (emergency situation)BGH VI ZR 245/1105.03.2013
ab rund 1,000 kmMileage threshold above which courts regularly review an Eigenersparnisabzug (deduction for personal cost savings) when a rental car of at least equivalent quality was usedIWW Unfallregulierung effektiv 08/20262026
3 bis 15 ProzentTypical range for an Eigenersparnisabzug from the base rate, varying by courtIWW Unfallregulierung effektiv 08/20262026
14 TageAdopted by a local court (Amtsgericht) in 2006 as the cut-off point beyond which there is no longer a duty to switch to a cheaper tariff — no uniform line sinceAG Hof 14 C 1695/0504.09.2006
All figures and court decisions above concern German law.

Worked example

Rental Car for Eleven Days After Front-End Damage, Mid-Size Vehicle
ItemAmount
Rental company invoice (Unfallersatztarif, 11 days)1,650.00 €
Market-standard Normaltarif for 11 days (Schwacke-Liste)1,210.00 €
Insurer's payment (Normaltarif only)1,210.00 €
Difference without proven emergency440.00 €
With proven Not- und Eilsituation: Normaltarif plus 20% surcharge1,452.00 €
Remaining, unenforceable difference to the Unfallersatztarif198.00 €

Result: Without a proven emergency, the insurer pays only the Normaltarif. If you can prove a genuine Not- und Eilsituation, the reimbursable amount increases by the recognized 20 percent surcharge — the full Unfallersatztarif still often remains out of reach.

What the insurer typically writes

These are paraphrased summaries of typical settlement-letter reasoning, not verbatim quotes from one specific letter.

The bracketed English text is a translation aid only.

„Wir erstatten nur den Normaltarif nach der Schwacke-Liste, da eine besondere Eil- oder Notsituation nicht ersichtlich ist.“ (English: "We will only reimburse the standard tariff under the Schwacke list, since we see no special emergency situation.")
„Unser Partnerunternehmen bietet Ihnen ein klassengleiches Fahrzeug zu einem günstigeren Tagespreis an.“ (English: "Our partner company offers you a vehicle of the same class at a lower daily rate.")
„Der von Ihnen gewählte Unfallersatztarif war nicht erforderlich, da Ihnen ein Normaltarif zugänglich gewesen wäre.“ (English: "The accident replacement tariff you chose was not necessary, since a standard tariff would have been accessible to you.")
„Wir ziehen einen Eigenersparnisanteil ab, da Sie durch die Anmietung eigene Betriebskosten gespart haben.“ (English: "We are deducting a personal savings amount, since renting the car saved you your own operating costs.")

How you can respond

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

Sie haben die Mietwagenkosten in Höhe von … Euro auf den Normaltarif gekürzt. Die Anmietung erfolgte in einer Not- und Eilsituation, weil … (Unfallzeitpunkt außerhalb der Öffnungszeiten, dringender Termin oder fehlende Recherchemöglichkeit vor Ort schildern). Der Bundesgerichtshof erkennt in einer solchen Lage einen pauschalen Aufschlag von 20 Prozent auf den Normaltarif an (Urteil vom 05.03.2013, VI ZR 245/11). Für die Ausfallzeit war zudem kein günstigerer, mühelos zugänglicher Tarif verfügbar.

Ich bitte um Nachzahlung der Differenz bis zum …

English translation (for your understanding only — send the German text above, not this one):

Dear Sir or Madam,

You have reduced the rental car costs of … euros to the Normaltarif (standard tariff). The rental took place in a Not- und Eilsituation (emergency situation) because … (describe the emergency here — e.g. accident occurred outside business hours, urgent appointment, no way to research options on site). The Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) recognizes a flat 20 percent surcharge on the Normaltarif in such a situation (judgment of 05.03.2013, VI ZR 245/11). No cheaper, easily accessible tariff was available for the period the vehicle was out of service.

I request payment of the difference by … .

Die Versicherung hat Ihnen einen eigenen Mietwagenanbieter genannt — so prüfen Sie das Schreiben

  • Wird ein konkretes Fahrzeug und eine konkrete Fahrzeugklasse genannt, oder nur ein allgemeiner Tagespreis?
  • Ist der genannte Preis brutto oder netto ausgewiesen? Nettopreis-Angaben ohne Hinweis gelten als irreführend, Sie müssen sie nicht selbst umrechnen.
  • Erreicht Sie das Schreiben vor oder erst nach der Anmietung? Nachträgliche Preisvorgaben entfalten keine Bindungswirkung.
  • Ist der Anbieter regional verfügbar und kurzfristig erreichbar, oder handelt es sich um ein bundesweit tätiges Unternehmen ohne Fahrzeug vor Ort?
  • Entspricht das Vergleichsfahrzeug Klasse und Ausstattung Ihres beschädigten Fahrzeugs, einschließlich einer Vollkaskoabsicherung ohne Selbstbeteiligung?

Sie sind bei der Schadensregulierung „Herr des Restitutionsgeschehens“ — die Dispositionsfreiheit nach § 249 Abs. 2 Satz 1 BGB liegt bei Ihnen, nicht beim Versicherer (BGH, Urteil vom 29.01.2019, VI ZR 481/17). Ein bloßes allgemeines Informationsschreiben ohne konkretes Fahrzeug bindet Sie nicht.

English translation (for your understanding only — send the German text above, not this one):

The Insurer Named Its Own Rental Car Provider — How to Check the Letter

  • Does it name a specific vehicle and a specific vehicle class, or only a general daily rate?
  • Is the stated price shown as gross or net? Net-price figures given without a clear note are considered misleading — you do not have to convert them yourself.
  • Does the letter reach you before or only after the rental? Price terms set after the fact have no binding effect.
  • Is the provider regionally available and reachable at short notice, or is it a nationwide company with no vehicle on site?
  • Does the comparison vehicle match the class and equipment of your damaged vehicle, including Vollkaskoabsicherung (comprehensive cover) with no deductible?

In settling the claim, you are „Herr des Restitutionsgeschehens" (master of the restitution process) — the Dispositionsfreiheit (your freedom to decide how the damage is remedied) under § 249 Abs. 2 Satz 1 BGB lies with you, not the insurer (BGH, judgment of 29.01.2019, VI ZR 481/17). A mere general information letter naming no specific vehicle does not bind you.

This reflects German law and German court practice.

Note: this is general guidance on wording, not legal advice for your individual case. Adapt the text to your own situation or seek advice from a lawyer for your specific matter.

What the insurer typically does next

  1. It pays the additional Normaltarif amount if you have plausibly explained the Not- und Eilsituation (emergency situation).
  2. It names its own rental car partner with a lower daily rate.
  3. It applies an Eigenersparnisabzug (personal savings deduction) if you used a rental car of the same or a higher class.
  4. It sticks to the reduction to the Normaltarif if it does not recognize an emergency.

Where to find this in the appraisal: The number of reimbursable rental days is based on the period stated in the appraisal under „Reparaturdauer“ (repair duration) or „Wiederbeschaffungsdauer“ (replacement procurement period), plus time for assessing the damage. If the repair duration is not stated, request a supplementary statement.

On the deadline: The Haftpflichtversicherer (third-party liability insurer) is usually granted a review period of four to six weeks from submission of the complete documents. Set a concrete payment deadline. If the insurer does not respond, it falls into Verzug (default in payment) under § 286 BGB and owes default interest from that point on. Claims arising from a road traffic accident generally become time-barred after three years, counted to the end of the year (§ 195, § 199 BGB).

This reflects German law only.

Case law

Case law: Mietwagen (Rental Car) After the Accident: What the Insurer Must Pay and Where It May Cut Costs
CourtCase numberDateKey findingSource
BGHVI ZR 67/2519.05.2026The benchmark for necessity is the vehicle class actually rented, not a hypothetical budget; the Unfallersatztarif is reimbursable only for genuine accident-related extra services.https://www.bundesgerichtshof.de
BGHVI ZR 74/0415.02.2005The cost of Vollkaskoabsicherung (comprehensive cover) without a deductible on the rental car is generally reimbursable, even if the claimant's own vehicle was not fully comprehensively insured.https://verkehrslexikon.de/
BGHVI ZR 245/1105.03.2013Flat 20 percent surcharge applies in a Not- und Eilsituation (emergency situation); as a rule, the emergency-situation principles no longer apply if the rental only begins on the day after the accident.https://www.openjur.de
LG Hagen1 S 18/2019.06.2020Necessary cost of restoration in rental car cases; Schwacke and Fraunhofer as estimation bases; an immediate rental alone does not establish a Not- und Eilsituation.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=LG+Hagen&Datum=19.06.2020&Aktenzeichen=1+S+18%2F20
LG Leipzig5 S 345/1323.01.2014An evening accident in a rural area with no way to research options establishes an emergency; a price above the Schwacke rate is then reimbursable.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=LG+Leipzig&Datum=23.01.2014&Aktenzeichen=5+S+345%2F13
LG Berlin41 S 160/1310.07.2014An accident after business hours with a need for the vehicle the following morning establishes a Not- und Eilsituation.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=LG+Berlin&Datum=10.07.2014&Aktenzeichen=41+S+160%2F13
AG Hohenstein-Ernstthal4 C 195/2103.09.2021An elderly claimant with a specialist medical appointment may rent immediately without first comparing offers.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=AG+Hohenstein-Ernstthal&Datum=03.09.2021&Aktenzeichen=4+C+195%2F21
AG Bonn111 C 152/1229.11.2012Net-price figures in the insurer's comparison offers without a clear note are misleading; the claimant does not have to accept dubious offers.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=AG+Bonn&Datum=29.11.2012&Aktenzeichen=111+C+152%2F12
AG Wolfratshausen5 C 348/2513.05.2026If only one rental company had a suitable vehicle available, a cheaper tariff was not reasonably accessible; Schwacke/Fraunhofer then do not apply.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=AG+Wolfratshausen&Datum=13.05.2026&Aktenzeichen=5+C+348%2F25
LG Nürnberg-Fürth8 S 1002/0723.05.2007Even with a justifiably expensive emergency rental, there is a duty to switch to a cheaper tariff as soon as reasonably possible.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=LG+N%C3%BCrnberg-F%C3%BCrth&Datum=23.05.2007&Aktenzeichen=8+S+1002%2F07
AG Hof14 C 1695/0504.09.2006Opposing position, outdated. For a rental period of no more than 14 days, there is no duty to switch to a cheaper tariff. No settled line since.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=AG+Hof&Datum=04.09.2006&Aktenzeichen=14+C+1695%2F05
BGHVI ZR 481/1729.01.2019Dispositionsfreiheit (the claimant's freedom to decide) under § 249 Abs. 2 Satz 1 BGB — the basis for the claimant deciding for themselves how the damage is remedied.https://www.bundesgerichtshof.de
BGHVI ZR 143/1131.01.2012Assigning rental car claims to the rental company for collection is permitted without a licence under § 5 RDG, as long as only the amount of the claim is disputed, not liability as such.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=BGH&Datum=31.01.2012&Aktenzeichen=VI+ZR+143%2F11
BGHVI ZR 139/0802.02.2010The party at fault bears the burden of showing and proving that a cheaper tariff than the Unfallersatztarif was readily accessible to the claimant.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=BGH&Datum=02.02.2010&Aktenzeichen=VI+ZR+139%2F08
BGHVI ZR 7/0902.02.2010Estimating rental car costs under § 287 ZPO on the basis of the Schwacke list is permissible; a flat surcharge of around 20 percent for accident-related extra services may apply if the claimant does not set out concrete individual factors.https://dejure.org/2010,51
BGHVI ZR 126/0514.02.2006The Unfallersatztarif is only reimbursable to the extent the surcharge over the Normaltarif is economically justified.https://dejure.org/2006,77
BGHVI ZR 151/0312.10.2004Early leading decision distinguishing the Normaltarif from the Unfallersatztarif: the claimant does not breach the Schadensminderungspflicht (duty to mitigate damage) merely by renting at the Unfallersatztarif.https://dejure.org/2004,22
BGHXII ZR 117/0725.03.2009The provider of an accident replacement car must inform the renter of the risk that the other side's liability insurer will not reimburse a tariff above the Normaltarif in full; the scope of this duty to inform depends on the customer's business experience.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=BGH&Datum=25.03.2009&Aktenzeichen=XII+ZR+117%2F07
OLG Celle14 U 19/2313.09.2023Disproportionately high rental car costs run up against the obligation, where the vehicle is foreseeably out of service for a long period, to acquire a cheaper interim vehicle instead of renting expensively on an ongoing basis.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=OLG+Celle&Datum=13.09.2023&Aktenzeichen=14+U+19%2F23
OLG Naumburg3 U 37/1808.11.2018The 2016 Schwacke car rental price index is confirmed as an estimation basis; the deduction for saved personal expenses is 3 to 5 percent, not the 10 percent often applied. Towing, cleaning and test-drive costs were also awarded.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=OLG+Naumburg&Datum=08.11.2018&Aktenzeichen=3+U+37%2F18
OLG Naumburg7 U 28/2122.10.2021Higher rental car costs due to an extended rental period are reimbursable if the insurer wrongly objects that there is an unrepaired prior damage (Vorschaden) and thereby delays settlement.https://dejure.org/2021,49049
OLG Dresden18 U 313/2117.06.2021Renting a replacement vehicle is an exercise of the claimant's Dispositionsfreiheit (freedom to decide how the damage is remedied) under § 249 Abs. 2 Satz 1 BGB.https://dejure.org/2021,19897
OLG HammI-7 U 31/2121.12.2021A complete exclusion of reduced liability cover (Haftungsreduzierung) in rental car terms and conditions for gross negligence is invalid; the benchmark is the proportionate reduction under § 81 Abs. 2 VVG.https://dejure.org/2021,54820
LG Baden-Baden3 S 24/2014.01.2021The Schwacke list is confirmed as an estimation basis; an average of Schwacke and Fraunhofer ('Fracke') was expressly rejected.https://dejure.org/2021,3922
LG Karlsruhe10 O 243/1930.05.2022Estimate based on the average of Schwacke and Fraunhofer ('Fracke'); the cost of a liability reduction (Haftungsreduzierung) is additionally reimbursable.https://dejure.org/2022,16348
LG Würzburg41 S 243/2216.03.2022Estimate based on the Fraunhofer rental price index; the claim for the cost of a liability reduction exists independently of the claimant's own comprehensive cover.https://dejure.org/2022,7760
LG Wuppertal9 S 41/2108.07.2021The local market rent is estimated using the average of Schwacke and Fraunhofer ('Fracke'); surcharges for comprehensive cover, satnav, winter tyres and an additional driver are confirmed.https://dejure.org/2021,33183
LG Stendal22 S 34/2125.11.2021Rental car costs estimated with a 10 percent deduction for saved personal expenses.https://dejure.org/2021,51522
LG Wiesbaden3 S 133/2022.04.2021Rental car costs estimated drawing on both the Schwacke list and the Fraunhofer rental price index.https://dejure.org/2021,11808
LG Berlin45 O 203/1907.09.2021On crediting saved personal expenses and rental car ancillary costs such as an additional driver, and on the question of a duty to advance-finance (Vorfinanzierungspflicht) on the claimant's part.https://dejure.org/2021,39629
LG Zwickau6 S 18/2022.01.2021Rental car costs are estimated under § 287 ZPO on the basis of the Schwacke list; winter tyres are reimbursable.https://dejure.org/dienste/vernetzung/rechtsprechung?Gericht=LG+Zwickau&Datum=22.01.2021&Aktenzeichen=6+S+18%2F20
AG Goslar28 C 61/2325.10.2024A blanket reference by the insurer to cheaper rental options is not enough; it must name a concrete, actually accessible offer.https://dejure.org/2024,41474

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my insurer pay my rental car bill in full?

Usually because it only recognizes the cheaper Normaltarif and sees no emergency, or because it applies an Eigenersparnisabzug (personal savings deduction) or points to its own rental car partner.

What is an Unfallersatztarif and why is it more expensive?

A price higher than the Normaltarif that rental companies charge to price in the risk of an accident rental — advance performance, uncertain payment by the other driver's insurer, and administrative effort.

Rental car or Nutzungsausfall — which is better for me?

Depends on your situation. If you need the vehicle daily and urgently, a rental car usually makes more sense. If you can do without mobility, the flat-rate Nutzungsausfallentschädigung (compensation for loss of use) pays more.

Do I have to get multiple quotes before renting?

Yes, if there is time. In a genuine Not- und Eilsituation (emergency situation) — for example, outside business hours — this requirement is waived as an exception.

Will I be reimbursed for a higher-class rental car if I actually need one?

Generally only up to the class of your damaged vehicle. For a higher class, you must justify a specific, accident-related need.

Does the insurer automatically deduct an amount for Eigenersparnis?

Not automatically, but often for a rental car of the same or higher class. The amount varies by court, ranging roughly between three and 15 percent.

Sources

Next step

Describe your case using the form, or call us — both ways reach the office responsible for you. Report a claim or call: 02232 941994.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-29