inLog · 2026-10-27
What is the difference between kasko and traffic insurance?
Once you own a car, two policies come up straight away: traffic insurance and kasko. Both relate to your car, but they cover different people's losses. This article explains the difference, which is compulsory and how to decide.
Traffic insurance: the other party's loss
Traffic insurance is compulsory. When you are at fault in an accident, it covers the damage you cause to the other party's car, health and property, up to the policy limits. Damage to your own car is outside this policy. Driving without it can bring penalties and a heavy financial burden if an accident happens.
Kasko: your own car's loss
Kasko is optional and covers damage to your own car. Collision, overturning, fire, theft and natural disaster can be covered depending on the policy. Extras such as glass, minor repairs, replacement car and roadside assistance vary by insurer and package.
Side by side
- Traffic: compulsory; pays the other party's loss.
- Kasko: optional; pays for your own car.
- Traffic insurance does not replace kasko, and kasko does not remove the traffic requirement.
- In kasko, the deductible and extras decide the premium and what you pay out of pocket in a claim.
Should I take kasko?
Your car's value, age and use affect the decision. For a new and valuable car, kasko usually makes sense; for a very old car, weigh the premium against the car's value carefully. Frequent street parking or long-distance driving changes the risk.
What to check when buying
- How the insured value of the car is set.
- The deductible rate and when it applies.
- Extras such as glass, replacement car and roadside assistance.
- The contracted repair network and how the claims process works.
Tell us about your car and how you use it, and we will put kasko and traffic quotes from different insurers side by side in one table, saying plainly what each one leaves out.
Frequently asked questions
If I have traffic insurance, must I also take kasko?
No. Traffic insurance is compulsory, kasko is optional. You need kasko if you want damage to your own car covered.
Does traffic insurance pay for damage to my own car?
No. Traffic insurance covers damage you cause to others; for damage to your own car you need kasko.
What is a deductible in kasko?
A deductible means you pay a set part of the damage yourself. The rate varies by policy and affects the premium.
What should I do first after an accident?
First make sure everyone is safe, complete a report or accident form if needed, photograph the scene before moving the car and notify your insurer quickly.
Does kasko make sense for an old car?
It depends on the balance between premium and the car's value. For a very old car kasko can stay expensive; getting and comparing quotes is the sound way to decide.