Mandatory Motor Liability Insurance in Austria 2026: Finding the Insurer and Choosing Freely in the EU
If an Austrian-registered vehicle has caused you damage, your first question may be which insurer to contact. An online register can provide the address of the responsible insurer. This article also explains whether you can freely choose a motor insurer within the EU.
Which insurer can you contact after an accident?
Motor third-party liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) covers damage caused by a vehicle to other people. If another vehicle causes you damage, you generally deal with the vehicle’s liability insurer rather than the driver first.
The difficulty is knowing which insurer covers the vehicle. If the vehicle that caused the damage is registered in Austria, an injured party can look up the responsible insurance company’s address online.
The lookup is intended for people who have suffered damage because of an Austria-registered vehicle. If the vehicle is registered in another country, the Austrian register cannot be used for it.
What information does the insurance register provide?
The lookup is made in the liability insurance register for vehicles registered in Austria. Its German name is Register über die Haftpflichtversicherung der in Österreich zugelassenen Fahrzeuge. The register is operated by the Verband der Versicherungsunternehmen Österreichs (VVO), the association of Austrian insurance companies.
The result depends on the type of vehicle:
- Vehicle subject to compulsory insurance: the address of the responsible insurance company.
- Vehicle not subject to compulsory insurance: the name and address of the vehicle keeper (Halterin/Halter).
The vehicle keeper is the person who keeps and uses the vehicle. This person is not necessarily the same as the person who was driving it.
Which law governs the lookup?
The legal basis for the lookup is Section 31a of the Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Act (Kraftfahrzeug-Haftpflichtversicherungsgesetz, KHVG). The information was last updated on 1 January 2026.
Can you arrange insurance in another EU country?
Yes. Free choice applies to motor insurance (Kraftfahrzeugversicherungen) within the EU. This means that, in principle, you can insure your car in any EU member state with an insurer authorised to operate there.
The same applies to additional insurance products, such as:
- theft insurance (Diebstahlversicherung);
- fire insurance (Feuerversicherung).
You are therefore not limited to Austrian insurers. Before making a decision, check that the insurer you select is actually authorised to provide insurance.
What should you know about the bonus-malus system?
The bonus-malus system is a premium classification system based on previous claim-free or claim years. The relevant classification and premium depend on the individual insurer.
For detailed information, see Mandatory Motor Insurance in Austria 2026: Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung and the Bonus-Malus System.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find the insurer of an Austrian-registered car that caused damage?
Yes. If the vehicle is registered in Austria, an injured party can look up the address of the responsible insurance company online in the VVO register.
What happens if the vehicle does not require insurance?
The lookup provides the name and address of the vehicle keeper because there is no responsible insurer.
Can I insure an Austrian-registered car in another EU country?
EU rules provide free choice in principle. You can insure the car with an insurer authorised in any EU member state. This also applies to additional insurance such as theft and fire insurance.
Who operates the register?
The register is operated by the Verband der Versicherungsunternehmen Österreichs, the association of Austrian insurance companies.
Practical steps
- Record the registration number of the vehicle that caused the damage.
- Check whether the vehicle is registered in Austria.
- Use the online register for the liability insurance of vehicles registered in Austria.
- Contact the responsible insurer using the address provided.
- If you are arranging your own cover, verify that the chosen insurer is authorised in an EU member state.
- Ask the insurer for the applicable premium classification and price, including any bonus-malus assessment.
For information about registering an imported vehicle and obtaining Austrian plates, see Vehicle registration and Austrian plates 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is based on sources available online and is not legal or insurance advice. Use the information at your own risk and consult a relevant professional if you need specialist advice.
Source: oesterreich.gv.at