DE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep your goods-in-transit liability insurance in force
German commercial hauliers must take out and maintain liability insurance for loss of or damage to goods and delay under HGB freight law; the GüKG sets no policy term (Section 7a(1) GüKG). Proof of valid insurance must be carried on every journey, otherwise it is an administrative offence (Sections 7a(4), 19).
The operator must take out and maintain liability insurance covering its statutory liability for loss of or damage to goods and for delay under the carriage rules of the German Commercial Code, for journeys where the loading and unloading points are in Germany (Section 7a(1) of the Road Haulage Act, GüKG). The minimum sum insured and the permitted annual aggregate limit are set in Section 7a(2).
The insurance may exclude damage caused intentionally by the operator or its representative; damage caused by natural disasters, nuclear energy, war and war-like events, civil war, civil unrest, strikes, lockouts, terrorist acts, orders of a sovereign power, removal or seizure by a state-recognised power; and claims from contracts for carrying precious metals, jewellery, gemstones, means of payment, valuables, securities, stamps, documents and deeds (Section 7a(3)).
Section 7a is part of the chapter on commercial road haulage. Own-account transport under the conditions of Section 1(2) is not subject to the insurance duty under Section 7a (Section 9 GüKG). The rules of this chapter also do not apply to transport with vehicles whose permissible total weight including trailer is no more than 3.5 tonnes, unless EU legal acts or international agreements provide otherwise (Section 2(1) no. 10). The GüKG sets no policy term.
At a glance
| Who | Operators in commercial road haulage (Section 7a(1), Section 1(4) GüKG) |
|---|---|
| What | Statutory liability for loss of goods and delay under Commercial Code carriage rules |
| Which journeys | Loading and unloading points in Germany (Section 7a(1)) |
| Permitted exclusions | Listed in Section 7a(3) |
| Proof | Carried during transport, handed over on request or made accessible in another way (Section 7a(4)) |
| Own-account transport | No insurance duty (Section 9) |
| Term | Not set by law; stated in the insurance contract |
Who is responsible?
The operator takes out and maintains the insurance and ensures that proof of valid insurance is carried during transport (Section 7a(1) and (4) GüKG). Drivers must carry the proof and hand it to inspectors on request; it can also be made accessible in another suitable way (Section 7a(4) sentences 2 and 3).
If the deadline passes
An operator who does not ensure that proof of insurance is carried, or a driver who does not carry it or hand it over, commits an administrative offence (Section 19(1) nos. 6a and 6b GüKG).
Insurance confirmation as proof
For compulsory insurance, the insurer certifies to the policyholder, stating the sum insured, that compulsory insurance under the relevant rule exists (Section 113(2) of the Insurance Contract Act, VVG). Upload the current confirmation after each renewal so dispatchers and drivers have the valid version.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add an entry for the policy and enter the end of the current insurance period from the policy document.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself. That leaves time to confirm the renewal and get the new proof into the vehicles.
- The insurer or broker can upload the new insurance confirmation through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the dispatch team; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- Who needs goods-in-transit liability insurance in Germany?
- Operators in commercial road haulage, for journeys with loading and unloading points in Germany (Section 7a(1) GüKG). Own-account transport has no insurance duty (Section 9).
- Must the proof be in the vehicle?
- Yes. Proof of valid insurance must be carried during transport and handed over on request; it can also be made accessible in another suitable way (Section 7a(4)).
- How long must the policy run?
- The GüKG sets no term, but the insurance must be maintained (Section 7a(1)). The end of the insurance period in your contract is what counts.
- Does the duty apply to vans up to 3.5 t?
- The rules of the chapter on commercial road haulage do not apply to vehicles up to 3.5 t permissible total weight including trailer, unless EU law or international agreements provide otherwise (Section 2(1) no. 10 GüKG).
Sources
- Güterkraftverkehrsgesetz (GüKG) § 7a Haftpflichtversicherung
- GüKG § 1 Begriffsbestimmungen
- GüKG § 2 Ausnahmen
- GüKG § 9 Berechtigungs- und Versicherungsfreiheit (Gesamtausgabe)
- GüKG § 19 Bußgeldvorschriften (Abs. 1 Nr. 6a und 6b)
- Versicherungsvertragsgesetz (VVG) § 113 Pflichtversicherung
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for goods-in-transit liability insurance (GüKG §7a) (Germany)
A ready template for goods-in-transit liability insurance (GüKG §7a) (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each goods-in-transit liability insurance (GüKG §7a) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each goods-in-transit liability insurance (GüKG §7a) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.