How HUK-COBURG navigates Germany’s shifting mobility landscape
Mobility in Germany is changing rapidly, driven by public expectations, environmental targets, and technological advances. German insurer HUK-COBURG has positioned itself at the intersection of these shifts, not just as an insurer but as a data-driven mobility actor. Its recent studies and services reveal where German mobility is heading – and where people still hesitate to follow.
Mobility in Germany is changing rapidly, driven by public expectations, environmental targets, and technological advances. German insurer HUK-COBURG has positioned itself at the intersection of these shifts, not just as an insurer but as a data-driven mobility actor. Its recent studies and services reveal where German mobility is heading – and where people still hesitate to follow.
HUK-COBURG’s mobility study reveals Germans want massive transport investments
HUK-COBURG’s fifth annual Mobility Study, published in April 2025, shows a nation frustrated by poor mobility infrastructure. Three out of four Germans now want the state to invest heavily in better transport routes, even if it comes at the expense of social or cultural budgets. This marks a steep rise from 62% last year.
The study also highlights how cars remain the preferred mode of transport for 75% of respondents, a record-high since 2021. High costs and unpredictable journey times top the list of public concerns, with over half citing these as major obstacles, regardless of their chosen transport mode. And while rail networks were the focus of criticism in previous years, roads have become the new priority, with 23% demanding urgent upgrades.
In terms of safety perceptions, cars remain ahead of trains and buses, scoring 2.5 on a 1–6 scale (1 being very good), while buses and trains scored 2.8. Support for electric vehicles is growing, with 45% now in favor of government subsidies, up from 39% last year. Yet cars with combustion engines remain popular, especially in cities with over 500,000 residents.
HUK-COBURG E-Barometer shows private EV adoption recovering
HUK-COBURG’s latest E-Barometer shows signs of renewed momentum in Germany’s private EV market. In Q2 2025, 5.5% of vehicle switches made by private car owners involved moving from combustion engine cars to fully electric ones, up from 4.1% the quarter before. This marks the first real upturn since government purchase subsidies ended in late 2023, bringing switch rates back toward pre‑subsidy levels.
Used electric cars continue to lead as the preferred entry point into e-mobility. At the same time, the share of purely electric vehicles in private fleets rose to around 3.2%, the strongest quarterly gain in over a year. While overall adoption remains modest, the upward trend suggests a shift after months of stagnation.
Public attitudes are also improving. For the first time, more people view electric cars positively than negatively, with support strongest among younger drivers and those who drive longer distances. Support for incentives on used EVs remains high, and many say such measures would increase their willingness to switch.
Using telematics to cut costs—and prevent accidents
Telematik Plus data is used internally by HUK-COBURG to refine risk calculations and further incentivize safe driving, aligning pricing with real-world behavior rather than broad demographic risk profiles. The program offers car insurance discounts of up to 30% for safe driving, with customers receiving an immediate 5% starter bonus for opting in. But beyond savings, it is emerging as a valuable road safety tool.
In 2024, HUK-COBURG partnered with Initiative für sichere Straßen (Initiative for Safer Roads) to share anonymized telematics data, identifying accident-prone spots across Germany. Data on braking behavior and driving patterns feeds into a public danger spot map, warning drivers of risky locations and potentially informing infrastructure improvements.
More than 500,000 customers now use the telematics tariff, enabling large-scale data analysis. The initiative plans to provide its findings to local authorities, who can use the insights to take preventive measures—from redesigning intersections to improving signage. All data is anonymized to protect customer privacy, ensuring no individual can be identified.
Connected claims: Automating accident reporting
In early 2025, HUK-COBURG launched a connected claims service for vehicles equipped with data-sharing technology. If a minor accident is detected, the car automatically sends an alert to HDD GmbH, HUK-COBURG’s subsidiary. The driver then receives a notification via the “HUK Mein Auto” app to initiate the claims process on the spot.
The service records accident details such as location, time, and severity, while allowing drivers to add information about what happened, upload photos, and indicate people involved. All data is transmitted quickly and securely, enabling faster claims processing and potentially faster vehicle repairs or compensation payouts. For severe accidents, manufacturers’ emergency call systems remain active.
Currently, this service is available for certain brands, including BMW, MINI, and vehicles from Stellantis Group. The insurer plans to expand to more brands and add further digital services. Data transfers are enabled via the CARUSO platform, which ensures standardized, compliant, and secure communication between cars and insurers without requiring extra telematics sensors.
This connected claims process not only eases the customer experience but also helps HUK-COBURG streamline operations, reduce fraud risk, and gather richer data to inform future products and pricing.
Rewarding innovative solutions for sustainability and safety
HUK-COBURG and Motor Presse Stuttgart’s Safety & Environment Award, presented annually at the “auto motor und sport” event in Stuttgart, highlights particularly innovative ideas in the fields of road safety and sustainability.
The 2024 winner was Circunomics, a German startup with an AI-based marketplace for used high-voltage batteries. Many decommissioned EV batteries remain suitable for second-life use in stationary energy storage. Since 2022, Circunomics has operated a B2B marketplace with an AI tool that assesses battery health and matches batteries to new applications, while ensuring that unfit batteries are professionally recycled.
AI plays a crucial role, as not all batteries are equally suited to every use—grid stabilization requires short, low-intensity charging and discharging cycles, while renewable energy storage places greater demands on cells. Since its 2022 launch, Circunomics has traded batteries with a total storage volume of 280 megawatt-hours.
Previous award winners include an e-cargo bike company’s sustainable urban logistics solution and a lithium-ion battery recycling innovation.
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