The eVB number: what it is, and why nothing starts without it
In short
The eVB — electronic insurance confirmation — is the evidence that liability insurance under § 1 PflVG exists for your vehicle. It is a precondition of registration (§ 6(5) no. 3 FZV). What matters is the route: you give the authority only a number, because the confirmation itself is transmitted electronically by the insurer through a joint institution of insurers (§ 49(2) FZV). You carry no paper from A to B. One exception: for the Ausfuhrkennzeichen the transmission is not electronic — there you present the confirmation yourself. The eVB is neither a policy nor a contract: it is their proof to the authority.
Where the obligation comes from
How the confirmation travels — and why that saves you work
What we do not say about prices and acceptance
What we do instead: we tell you up front what information an insurer will need in your situation, so the eVB is not missing on the day of the appointment. The rest of the procedure is set out in registering a car in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Is the eVB already an insurance contract?
No. It is the evidence, towards the authority, that liability insurance under § 1 PflVG exists. The contract itself is a separate matter with its own terms.
Can I get an eVB without living in Germany?
Registration law requires the eVB without tying it to a German address. Whether a given insurer accepts your case is a matter of their contractual offer — we state no general rule on that. We check it for your file.
How long does an eVB stay valid?
The FZV sets no general period; the number is issued by the insurer, who limits it. Ask when you request it — an expired number on the day is a wasted appointment.