Best Insurance Providers in Austria (2026)
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UNIQA is Austria's largest single insurer, with 20.78% of 2025 premiums, ahead of Wiener Städtische at 16.85% and Generali at 14.66% (VVO). Counted as a group, VIG (Vienna Insurance Group), which owns Wiener Städtische and the DONAU brand, leads with 22.9%. UNIQA is also the #1 health insurer. Personal liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) costs €60 to 150 per year, and statutory health insurance via ÖGK is automatic for employees at 3.87 percent of gross salary. Self-employed residents are covered instead by the SVS, and public-sector, civil-service, and railway staff by the BVAEB.
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Sorting changes the order of the provider cards below.
Our overall pick below is Wiener, from From €18/mo (legal cover).
1. Wiener Städtische
Largest Group (VIG). Largest Austrian insurance brand with the broadest multi-line product range across health, household, and life.
Visit Wiener Städtische- Entry premium
- From €18/mo (legal cover)
- Coverage
Coverage
What the policy pays for, and up to how much. Only meaningful read together with the reimbursement rate and the deductible.
- All major lines, health to property
- Area served
- Austria, all 9 federal states
- Group
- Vienna Insurance Group
More details
- Agent network
- All 9 federal states
- Market position
- #2 company, VIG group #1
- English support
- German-first service
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- VIG group ranks first in property and life insurance
- Part of VIG with very strong solvency ratios
- Wide bundle discounts across health, home, and car
Cons
- Less digital-first than newer direct insurers
- Agent pricing can vary versus online quotes
Best for Clients who want Austria's market leader with a strong local agent in every federal state
2. VIG (Vienna Insurance Group)
Largest CEE Group. Austrian-listed insurance group with the strongest CEE footprint and diversified portfolio.
Visit VIG- Entry premium
- Not sold directly, via local brands
- Coverage
Coverage
What the policy pays for, and up to how much. Only meaningful read together with the reimbursement rate and the deductible.
- All lines via 50+ group brands
- Area served
- Austria and CEE
- Group
- Listed holding, parent of WS and DONAU
More details
- Market position
- Largest insurance holding in CEE
- Financial strength
- Very strong, ATX-listed
- English support
- Depends on the local brand
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Portfolio of 50+ subsidiaries across 30 markets
- Access to local brands like Wiener Städtische and DONAU
- Group-level solvency backs every local policy
Cons
- Corporate-level website, not a consumer portal
- Claims handled by local subsidiary, not the holding
Best for Clients and partners who want exposure to CEE's largest insurance holding through its local brands
3. DONAU Versicherung
VIG-group insurer with strong retail and SME focus and competitive premium tiers.
Visit DONAU Versicherung- Entry premium
- Household + liability from €100/yr
- Coverage
Coverage
What the policy pays for, and up to how much. Only meaningful read together with the reimbursement rate and the deductible.
- Car, household, liability, legal
- Area served
- Austria, nationwide agents
- Group
- Vienna Insurance Group
More details
- Car liability
- From €300/yr
- Client focus
- Private and SME
- English support
- Limited
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Competitive car and household insurance premiums
- Nationwide Austrian agent network
- Strong bundle discounts for multiple policies
Cons
- Overlapping product range with Wiener Städtische
- Digital tools less polished than larger direct insurers
Best for Drivers and homeowners who want competitive pricing from a large VIG-backed Austrian insurer
4. Omniasig
Best Romania Coverage. Specialty CEE insurer for residents with cross-border or Romanian household exposure.
Visit Omniasig- Entry premium
- Quote-based
- Coverage
Coverage
What the policy pays for, and up to how much. Only meaningful read together with the reimbursement rate and the deductible.
- Motor, property, health, liability
- Area served
- Romania
- Group
- Vienna Insurance Group
More details
- Client focus
- Retail and corporate
- English support
- Romanian-language documents
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Top-tier non-life insurer in the Romanian market
- Backed by VIG group solvency and reinsurance
- Cross-border continuity for VIG group clients
Cons
- Primarily relevant to Romania-based risks
- Limited direct presence in Austria
Best for Clients with business or property in Romania who want VIG-group coverage with local claims handling
5. Funk International Austria
Best Industrial Broker. International commercial broker for corporate and HNW insurance programs across Europe.
Visit Funk International Austria- Entry premium
- Programme-based, broker-quoted
- Coverage
Coverage
What the policy pays for, and up to how much. Only meaningful read together with the reimbursement rate and the deductible.
- Industrial, liability, D&O
- Area served
- Austria, corporate clients
- Group
- Funk Gruppe, Germany
More details
- Client type
- Business, not individuals
- Role
- Broker, does not underwrite
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Independent broker, not tied to a single insurer
- Specialist in industrial, liability, and D&O programmes
- Access to global Funk network across Europe
Cons
- Focused on business clients, not individual residents
- Minimum programme size typical for SME and above
Best for Austrian SMEs and corporates who need a tailored industrial insurance programme across multiple carriers
- Entry premium
- Health cover from €15/mo
- Coverage
Coverage
What the policy pays for, and up to how much. Only meaningful read together with the reimbursement rate and the deductible.
- Health, household, liability, car, life
- Area served
- Austria and CEE
- Group
- UNIQA Insurance Group
More details
- Market position
- #1 company, 20.78% share
- Customers
- 3.7 million in Austria
- English support
- myUNIQA app in English
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- 3.7 million customers in Austria (about 7.5 million across CEE)
- Full product range, from health to life to property
- Solid digital claims portal and mobile app
Cons
- Premiums can be higher than direct-only online insurers
- Complex product catalogue takes time to navigate
Best for Clients who want a large non-VIG Austrian insurer with a full product catalogue
7. Generali Austria
Multi-line Austrian insurer with the cleanest digital application and claims experience.
Visit Generali Austria- Entry premium (Best)
- From €14/mo (legal cover)
- Coverage
Coverage
What the policy pays for, and up to how much. Only meaningful read together with the reimbursement rate and the deductible.
- Health, household, liability, legal
- Area served
- Austria, part of Generali Europe
- Group
- Generali, Italy
More details
- English support
- Strong English service
- Digital
- Cleanest online application and claims
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Global Generali network with cross-border continuity
- Solid digital tools and mobile claims app
- Competitive premiums on household and liability
Cons
- Smaller branch network than VIG brands or UNIQA
- Car insurance pricing less competitive for young drivers
Best for International clients and people who want English-language service and cross-border continuity
Based on market share, financial strength, newcomer-friendliness, and product range, these are the leading Austrian insurers in 2026.
Top 5 Insurance Policies Residents Need in Austria at a Glance (2026)
| Policy (German term) | Typical annual cost | Required? | Best-value provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal liability (Privat-Haftpflichtversicherung) | €60 to 150/yr | Strongly recommended, often bundled | HanseMerkur / DONAU |
| Household / contents (Haushaltsversicherung) | €100 to 250/yr | Recommended, usually bundled with liability | UNIQA / Wiener Städtische |
| Supplementary private health (private Krankenzusatzversicherung) | €71 to 187/month at age 30 (Wahlarzt + Sonderklasse) | Optional (statutory ÖGK is mandatory) | UNIQA (#1 health insurer) |
| Legal expenses (Rechtsschutzversicherung) | €50 to 484/yr | Optional | ARAG / D.A.S. |
| Car liability (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) | €400 to 900/yr (varies) | Mandatory if you own a car | GRAWE / DONAU |
Source: typical 2026 market premiums for a single adult in Vienna (VVO, UNIQA, DONAU, 2026). Car liability carries a statutory combined minimum of €7.79 million per claim for a car, inside which personal injury is covered up to €6.45 million and property damage up to €1.34 million, plus €80,000 for pure financial loss (§ 9 KHVG, in force since 23 December 2023).
Five insurance policies matter most in Austria. Personal liability (Privat-Haftpflichtversicherung) at €60 to 150 per year and household (Haushaltsversicherung) at €100 to 250 per year are effectively essential and usually bundled. Car liability (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is legally mandatory if you own a car. Supplementary private health at €71 to €187 per month for Wahlarzt plus Sonderklasse at age 30 (krankenversichern.at, June 2026) and legal expenses (Rechtsschutz) are optional. Legal cover runs from about €50 a year for a basic online private tariff to €233 to €484 a year for a full family car and private package in an Arbeiterkammer comparison of 12 products.
Bundle the two near-essentials first
For the full breakdown see what insurance residents need and how much each policy costs further down this guide, plus our dedicated guides to liability, health, legal, and car insurance, and our provider comparison.
How Do You Choose an Insurance Provider in Austria?
Austria has a mature, highly regulated insurance market with over 100 licensed carriers. For residents, the key is matching your legal obligations and personal risks to the right mix of policies. Here are the steps to take:
- 1
Confirm your statutory health coverage first
If you are employed, your employer registers you with the ÖGK. Check your e-card arrives within 2 to 3 weeks. Self-employed residents register with SVS instead.
- 2
Compare quotes on Durchblicker.at or Check24.at
Both are independent Austrian comparison portals. Enter your details once and receive quotes from 20+ insurers side by side for liability, household, car, and legal cover.
- 3
Check the provider's licence and customer ratings
The FMA company database shows whether an insurer holds an FMA licence for Austria and for which lines of business. For service quality, the ÖGVS customer surveys below rank insurers by line.
- 4
Request an English-language policy document
Generali, Allianz, and UNIQA offer English policy documents on request. Smaller regional insurers typically only work in German, which can complicate claims.
- 5
Bundle policies for a 10 to 20 percent discount
Combining household (Haushalt), liability (Haftpflicht), and legal (Rechtsschutz) insurance with one provider typically saves 10 to 20 percent versus separate contracts.
Which Are the Largest Insurers in Austria?
| Insurer | Share of premiums | Note |
|---|---|---|
| UNIQA | 20.78% (2025) | Largest single company |
| Wiener Städtische | 16.85% (2025) | VIG company, includes the DONAU brand |
| Generali | 14.66% (2025) | Third-largest company |
| Allianz | 8.0% (2025) | Allianz group in Austria |
| VIG (group) | 22.9% (Jan to Sep 2025) | Largest group, first in property and life |
Company shares: VVO figures for 2025 as reported by VersicherungsJournal Österreich, May 2026. Group share: VIG Annual Report 2025, based on VVO data for the first three quarters of 2025.
Austria's largest insurer depends on how you count. As a single company, UNIQA leads with 20.78% of 2025 premiums, ahead of Wiener Städtische and Generali. As a group, Vienna Insurance Group leads with 22.9%, because it adds Wiener Städtische and the DONAU brand together. VIG ranks first in property and life insurance and third in health, where UNIQA leads.
The whole market wrote about €22.4 billion in premiums in 2025, up 4.5 percent, according to the VVO's preliminary 2025 figures. Property and casualty, including car liability, made up €13.7 billion, life insurance about €5.2 billion and private health insurance €3.4 billion. The market is concentrated: the top 5 groups wrote about 71 percent of premiums in the first nine months of 2025. Size tells you who can absorb a large claim, not who handles yours well, so check the customer ratings below as well.
What Changed at Austrian Insurers in the Last 24 Months?
| Date | Insurer | What changed | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | UNIQA | Replaced its Sonderklasse Select hospital line with Sonderklasse Flex | Existing Select contracts run on unchanged; new customers get Flex, with no deductible on Optimal tiers until 45 |
| 18 May 2026 | Vienna Insurance Group (Wiener Städtische, DONAU) | Completed the takeover of the German insurer NÜRNBERGER, holding 99.2% (VIG) | Your Wiener Städtische or DONAU policy is unchanged; NÜRNBERGER keeps its own brand |
| 5 December 2025 | Helvetia (incl. Smile.direct) | Merged with Baloise into Helvetia Baloise Holding AG (Moneycab, 6 December 2025) | Austrian Helvetia and Smile contracts continue; the parent group changed, not your insurer |
| Full year 2025 | Whole market | Premiums rose 4.5% to about €22.4 billion (VVO) | A premium rise at renewal is normal; in car liability it gives you a one-month right to cancel under § 14a KHVG |
Two ownership deals reshaped the groups behind Austrian brands in the last 24 months. Helvetia, the parent of Smile.direct, merged with Baloise on 5 December 2025, and Vienna Insurance Group took over NÜRNBERGER on 18 May 2026. Neither deal changes an existing Austrian policy: your contract stays with the same licensed insurer. The change that does reach customers is UNIQA's switch to Sonderklasse Flex in September 2026.
Which Insurers Do Customers Rate Highest in Austria?
| Rank | Legal insurance (2026) | Household insurance (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generali 7.77 | Oberösterreichische 7.66 |
| 2 | UNIQA 7.73 | UNIQA 7.63 |
| 3 | Allianz 7.62 | Wiener Städtische 7.59 |
| 4 | Wiener Städtische 7.57 | Zurich 7.58 |
| 5 | Oberösterreichische 7.57 | GRAWE 7.54 |
| Insurers rated | 17 (2,284 ratings) | 16 (2,436 ratings) |
Scores out of 10. Sources: ÖGVS, legal insurers 2026 (survey April to June 2026, published 14 August 2026) and household insurers 2026 (survey November to December 2025).
The ÖGVS asks people who were customers in recent years to score their insurer on a 10-point scale. In legal insurance, Generali came first in 2026 and also won tariffs, transparency and service. UNIQA won advice and case handling, Allianz won customer trust, and Helvetia won price-performance. The specialist D.A.S. came last of 17 with 6.67, and ARAG placed eleventh with 7.27.
In household insurance, Oberösterreichische Versicherung came first for the third time in a row. UNIQA won claims settlement and ERGO won price-performance. Read these scores for what they are: a panel of customer opinions, not a test of the policy wording. A tariff with a low score can still carry the better cover, so compare the conditions too, for example with our legal insurance guide.
What Types of Insurance Do Residents Need in Austria?
Some Austrian insurance types are legally mandatory, others are strongly recommended, and a few are optional. Here is how they break down:
- Health insurance (Krankenversicherung): Legally required. Automatic for employees via ÖGK. Self-employed register with SVS. Non-working residents need a private policy for their residence permit.
- Car insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht): Legally required for all vehicles. For a car the minimum is a combined €7.79 million per claim, covering personal injury up to €6.45 million and property damage up to €1.34 million (§ 9 KHVG).
- Personal liability (Privat-Haftpflicht): Strongly recommended. Covers accidental damage you cause to others. Often bundled with household insurance.
- Household insurance (Haushaltsversicherung): Recommended. Covers theft, fire, water damage to your contents. Many landlords expect you to have it.
- Legal insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung): Optional but popular. Covers lawyer fees and court costs. Common in Austria given an active litigation culture.
- Life insurance (Lebensversicherung): Optional. Relevant if you have dependents or a mortgage. Often used as a tax-advantaged savings vehicle.
Start with liability and household, add legal once settled
How Much Does Insurance Cost in Austria?
Typical Austrian insurance premiums for a single adult in Vienna, with statutory rates as of 2026:
- Austrians spend on average €2,020 per year on insurance across all lines (UNIQA, 2026).
- Statutory health insurance (ÖGK): 7.65 percent of gross salary in 2026, of which the employee pays 3.87 percent, deducted automatically up to the €6,930 monthly ceiling (Höchstbeitragsgrundlage). Without compulsory cover, the voluntary ÖGK Selbstversicherung costs €565.25 a month, and the student rate is €78.84 a month (ÖGK, 2026).
- Private health insurance add-on (Zusatzversicherung): €40 to 150 per month for private hospital room, specialist access, and shorter wait times.
- Personal liability (Haftpflicht): €60 to 150 per year for €5 million coverage.
- Household insurance (Haushalt): €100 to 250 per year for a 70 m² Vienna apartment.
- Legal insurance (Rechtsschutz): from €4.17 a month for VAV's basic online private tariff (with a 10% deductible and an existing VAV car policy) to €233 to €484 a year for a comprehensive family car and private package, the range found when AK Oberösterreich compared 12 products.
- Car insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht): €400 to 900 per year for a mid-size car, depending on engine power (motor-related tax is folded into the premium).
What affects your premium
- Location: Vienna and urban Salzburg cost more than rural Burgenland or Carinthia.
- Deductible (Selbstbehalt): Choosing a €150 or €300 deductible cuts premiums by 10 to 25 percent.
- Bundling: Bundling 2 or 3 policies with one insurer yields a 10 to 20 percent multi-policy discount.
- Cost of living: Insurance is around 2 to 3 percent of a typical Viennese resident budget. See our cost of living guide for the full breakdown.
Which Insurance Is Mandatory in Austria?
| Insurance line | Required by law | Required by contract or visa | Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car liability (Kfz-Haftpflicht) | Yes, KHVG § 9, minimum €7.79 million; no registration without it | No | Kasko, unless a lease or car loan requires it |
| Health | Yes, social insurance (ASVG, GSVG, BSVG); no general opt-out | No | Top-ups: Sonderklasse, dental, private doctor |
| Household with personal liability | No law | In practice yes: most leases require it | Standalone personal liability |
| Building insurance (Eigenheim) | No | Yes when a bank grants a mortgage | No |
| Dog liability | Yes in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria (state law) | No | Elsewhere optional |
| Travel health | No; a Schengen visa needs €30,000 cover | Visa only | For every trip, because of repatriation |
| Term life | No | Often recommended by the bank with a loan | Yes |
| Legal expenses (Rechtsschutz) | No | No | Yes |
| Dental supplement | No | No | Yes |
| Pet health | No | No | Yes |
Only two lines are compulsory by law for everyone they apply to: car liability under KHVG § 9, with a combined minimum of €7.79 million, and health insurance through the social insurance carriers. Dog liability is compulsory by state law in Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria; check your own state's dog-keeping act, since the rules differ by Bundesland.
The second category catches newcomers out. No law requires household insurance, but most leases make it a condition, and a mortgage makes building insurance compulsory through the loan contract. A lease or car loan does the same for Kasko. Everything else, from legal expenses to dental, is a choice.
Who Is the Insurer, the Broker and the Portal?
| Role | What it is | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurer (underwriter) | Carries the risk and pays the claim; needs an FMA licence | UNIQA, Wiener Städtische, Merkur, GRAWE, VAV | The licence in the FMA company database |
| Distribution brand | Sells under its own name while another company carries the risk | FeelSafe, Care Austria (visa health policies) | The risk carrier named in the application, and its licence |
| Broker (Makler) | Advises and places the policy, paid by commission | Online brokers, and many comparison blogs that rank for Austrian insurance searches | Which insurers the broker actually compares |
| Comparison portal | Ranks offers and earns a commission on each sale | durchblicker.at | It is not advertising-free and not a price source |
Before you sign, find out who actually carries the risk. The name on the website and the company that pays your claim are often different. That matters most for visa health policies sold as brands such as FeelSafe or Care Austria, whose risk carrier is not clearly published: ask for it in writing and look it up in the FMA company database.
For a comparison without commission, use the Arbeiterkammer insurance tests, such as the AK Upper Austria household test of November 2025, and the VKI tables in KONSUMENT. Commercial portals are useful for collecting quotes, but they are paid by the insurers they list.
Should You Buy Through a Broker or a Direct Insurer?
Broker (Makler) or direct insurer?
| Feature | Broker | Direct insurer |
|---|---|---|
| How it is paid | Commission already inside the gross premium, so a broker is not dearer than an agent | No agency network, sales costs fall away |
| Car liability, reference profile | Agency market median about €580 to €640 a year | Zurich Connect about €483, VAV €489, Smile €503: 15 to 25% below |
| Household, 90 m² | Broker range €12 to €37 a month without deductible | AK Upper Austria test, November 2025: €155 to €295 a year across the market |
| Who checks your claim | The broker helps you file it | You deal with the insurer yourself |
Broker wins if
- you insure several risks at once, such as a home and a business
- you want someone at your side when a claim is disputed
- your risk is unusual and needs terms negotiated
Direct insurer wins if
- you insure a standard car or flat, where direct brands run 15 to 25% cheaper
- you compare quotes yourself and read the terms
- you switch online at the renewal date
The biggest price gap in Austrian insurance lies between insurers, not between sales channels. For the same flat, the cheapest household policy costs about half the dearest, and a broker who compares many insurers finds that gap for you at no extra cost, because the commission is already in the premium. Direct brands of the same groups sit 10 to 25% below their agency brands on almost identical terms.
How Do You Cancel an Insurance Policy in Austria?
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Ordinary cancellation | Usually 1 to 3 months before the main renewal date (Hauptfälligkeit) printed on the policy; car: 1 month before the insurance year ends (§ 14 KHVG) |
| Key dates 2026 | Car policies renewing on 1 January 2027: the letter must arrive by 30 November 2026. The Bonus-Malus observation year ends on 30 September 2026 and sets next year's level |
| Premium increase | Car: 1 month from the notice (§ 14a KHVG). Health top-ups: an increase can only be challenged collectively by AK or VKI within 3 months (§ 178g VersVG) |
| After a claim | Car: either side may cancel within 1 month of the claim being settled |
| Selling or replacing the car | The car policy can be ended when you sell or replace the vehicle |
| Form | In writing, with proof of receipt: a registered letter or a logged upload in the insurer's portal |
Austrian insurance contracts renew automatically, so the date that matters is the main renewal date on your policy, not 1 January. The notice runs 1 to 3 months and the letter has to arrive in time. For car insurance the rule is one month before the insurance year ends, which for calendar-year contracts means 30 November 2026.
A premium increase opens a second exit on most lines: one month from the notice on car insurance. Supplementary health insurance is the exception, because § 178i VersVG makes it a lifetime contract and only the Arbeiterkammer or VKI can contest a collective increase. Keep proof of every cancellation you send; slow processing is a recurring complaint in Austrian forums.
What residents report
- − UNIQA accident premium up 30%: A UNIQA customer reported a premium increase of about 30% on an accident policy and asked whether that gives a right to cancel. Replies pointed to the special cancellation right that a price rise triggers. (r/Austria, 2025)
Paraphrased from public posts, each dated and linked. A small sample, not a representative survey.
Where Do You Complain About an Insurer in Austria?
| Step | Who | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your insurer, in writing | Set a deadline for a reply; most disputes end here |
| 2 | Versicherungsombudsmann | Free conciliation for consumers; on legal-expenses cover disputes, an arbitration opinion (Schiedsgutachten) |
| 3 | Arbeiterkammer or VKI | Consumer advice; the only route against a collective premium increase on health top-ups |
| 4 | FMA complaint | Supervision only: the FMA checks the insurer's conduct but does not decide your individual case |
| 5 | Civil court | The binding decision when conciliation fails |
Start with a written complaint to the insurer and set a deadline. If that fails, the Versicherungsombudsmann runs a free conciliation procedure, and for legal-expenses cover disputes an arbitration opinion. The FMA takes complaints as the supervisor, but it cannot award you money: only a civil court can.
Which Insurance Cover Fits Your Situation?
| Your situation | What to get | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Employee, €2,800 gross | ÖGK (automatic, about €108/month from your pay); optionally an option tariff such as Wiener Städtische .start at €16 | No gap; the option tariff freezes your entry age for later Sonderklasse |
| Planning a pregnancy | Sonderklasse before conception | Most tariffs wait 9 months for birth; UNIQA waives it if both parents and the newborn are insured |
| Already pregnant | GRAWE | Accepts applicants up to the 25th week, with a 3-month birth waiting period |
| EU student with an EHIC | EHIC for emergencies, then ÖGK student self-insurance at €78.84, plus an annual travel policy | The EHIC pays no Wahlarzt, no dentures and no repatriation |
| Non-EU student | ÖGK student self-insurance declared in the permit application | MA 35 wants all-risks cover; travel insurance alone fails |
| New arrival, non-EU, no job | ÖGK self-insurance at up to €565.25, with the reduction request filed at once | A late request only counts from the next month; a 6-month wait applies without prior cover |
| Freelancer, €60,000 profit | SVS (about €1,354/month in total, health about €340), plus a sick-pay top-up and Muki Sonderklasse | SVS pays no sick pay in the first weeks; Muki keeps the tariff if you switch to employment |
| Small business under €6,613.20 profit | ÖGK self-insurance, or co-insurance through a partner | Below the threshold you have only accident cover at €155.40 a year, no health cover |
| Tenant whose lease requires cover | Household bundle with personal liability of at least €5 million | AK test: €155 to €295 a year for 90 m²; check the rental-damage clause |
| Arriving with no-claims years from abroad | A written confirmation from your previous insurer, then compare VAV with Smile and Zurich Connect | Recognition is goodwill, not a right; VAV transfers the years, direct brands give a flat discount |
| Switching car insurance in 2026 | Cancel by 30 November 2026 for a 1 January 2027 renewal | The Bonus-Malus level is settled on 30 September 2026 |
| Dog owner in Vienna, Lower or Upper Austria | Dog liability, standalone or as a module, about €40 to €120 a year | Required by state law; personal liability does not cover the dog |
| Homeowner with a mortgage | Building insurance (€300 to €800 a year), household insurance and term life from €2.45 a month (Hannoversche) | The loan contract requires the building cover; term life protects the family and the loan |
The pattern behind these thirteen cases: statutory cover first, then whatever a contract requires, then the gaps that would hurt most. For most newcomers that means household plus personal liability in year one, a health top-up while still young, and car liability only with a car. Each row links to the full guide: health, household, car and liability.
Entity References
Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page:
- UNIQA
Austrian Insurance
- Wiener Städtische
Austrian Insurance
- Generali Austria
Austrian Insurance
- Uniqa vs Wiener Staedtische vs Generali: Austria's Largest Insurers Compared
Austrian Insurance Comparisons
- VIG (Vienna Insurance Group)
Austrian Insurance
- DONAU Versicherung
Austrian Insurance
- Omniasig
Austrian Insurance
- Funk International Austria
Austrian Insurance
- GRAWE (Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung)
Austrian Insurance
- HanseMerkur
Austrian Insurance
- Check24
Austrian Insurance
- VVO (Versicherungsverband Österreich)
Austrian Government Portals and Regulators
Frequently Asked Questions
Do residents need private insurance in Austria?
Residents employed in Austria are automatically enrolled in the statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) through ÖGK, which covers most medical needs. However, liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) and household insurance (Haushaltsversicherung) are strongly recommended but not legally required. Non-employed residents and students may need to arrange private health insurance to meet residence permit requirements. As of April 2026, basic private health coverage starts at around €50 per month. See our health insurance guide for a full breakdown.
Which is the cheapest insurer in Austria?
Direct insurers like HanseMerkur and online-first brands often offer the lowest prices for basic liability and household coverage, with policies starting around €60 to 80 per year for Haftpflichtversicherung. Among traditional insurers, DONAU and GRAWE tend to be competitive on price, while UNIQA and Wiener Städtische offer strong value through their large agent networks and bundled discounts. Always compare quotes on Durchblicker.at or Check24.at before signing.
Does Austrian health insurance cover residents?
Yes. Once you register your employment in Austria, you are automatically enrolled in the ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) through your employer. Coverage begins on your first day of work and includes GP visits, specialist care, hospital treatment, and prescription medication with small co-pays. EU citizens can also use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for short stays. As of April 2026, the employee contribution is 3.87 percent of gross salary.
Can you switch insurance providers in Austria?
Yes. Under § 8 VersVG an automatic renewal can run for at most one year at a time, and the notice period (Kündigungsfrist) must be between 1 and 3 months before the end of the insurance period. As a consumer, you can end a contract signed for more than three years at the end of year 3, or any later year, with one month's notice, though you may have to repay a long-term discount. Under § 5c VersVG you can also withdraw within 14 days of signing (30 days for life insurance) without giving reasons. Switching legal insurance needs extra care because of waiting periods.
Which is the largest insurance company in Austria?
As a single company, UNIQA, with 20.78 percent of 2025 premiums according to VVO figures, ahead of Wiener Städtische at 16.85 percent and Generali at 14.66 percent. As a group, Vienna Insurance Group leads with 22.9 percent for the first nine months of 2025, because it combines Wiener Städtische and the DONAU brand. The whole market wrote about €22.4 billion in premiums in 2025.
How do you check whether an insurer is licensed in Austria?
Search the FMA company database (Unternehmensdatenbank). It shows whether a company holds a licence from the Austrian Financial Market Authority and which lines of business the licence covers. The FMA supervises insurers but does not decide individual claims disputes; for those, use the insurer's complaints office, the Versicherungsombudsmann or the courts.
What does Haftpflichtversicherung cost?
Personal liability insurance (Privat-Haftpflichtversicherung) in Austria costs between €60 and €150 per year as of April 2026, depending on coverage limits and provider. Most policies include coverage up to €5 million for bodily injury and property damage you accidentally cause to third parties. It is strongly recommended for all residents and often bundled with household insurance for a combined premium of €150 to 300 per year.
Official Sources
Related Guides
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Why Haftpflichtversicherung is near-essential in Austria
Legal Insurance
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Cost of Living in Austria
Where insurance fits in a typical Austria resident budget