Compare the top car insurance providers in Bulgaria — see cover, features and typical rates side by side.
What is car insurance in Bulgaria?
Car insurance in Bulgaria centres on two products. Compulsory third-party liability — Grazhdanska otgovornost (Гражданска отговорност) — is required by law for every registered vehicle and covers damage or injury you cause to others. Casco (Каско) is optional comprehensive cover that also protects your own vehicle against accident, theft, fire and natural events. Most drivers hold the compulsory MTPL policy, and many add Casco for newer or financed cars where the lender may require it.
How the Bulgarian market works
Motor insurers are licensed and supervised by the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC/KFN) under the Insurance Code, and MTPL is mandatory nationwide. Policies are sold through insurers, agents, brokers and online. MTPL provides cross-border cover within the EU, and the Green Card system extends liability cover abroad. Premiums are quoted in lev, with the euro peg at 1.95583 and euro adoption planned. Uninsured driving carries penalties.
Benefits
Legal compliance — compulsory Grazhdanska otgovornost meets the legal requirement to drive.
Third-party protection — covers injury and damage you cause to other people and their property.
Own-vehicle cover — Casco protects your car against accident, theft, fire and natural events.
Cross-border cover — MTPL is valid across the EU, with the Green Card extending liability cover further afield.
How to choose
Start with compulsory MTPL, then decide whether Casco is worth it based on your car's value and any lender requirement. Compare premiums across insurers for the same cover, and check the Casco excess, list of covered perils, and whether it includes theft, glass and natural events. Look at claims service and the repair network. Note that MTPL premiums reflect factors such as the vehicle, driver and region.
Leading providers in Bulgaria
Allianz Bulgaria Insurance, Generali Bulgaria, Bulstrad Vienna Insurance Group and DZI (KBC) are among the leading motor insurers, offering both compulsory MTPL and optional Casco. Local insurers such as Lev Ins and Armeec are also major players in the motor market. All are FSC-supervised and sell through agents, brokers and online, making it straightforward to compare quotes for the same cover.
What it costs
Compulsory MTPL premiums depend on the vehicle, engine size, the driver's age and record, and region, and are generally the lower-cost part of motor insurance. Casco costs more because it covers your own vehicle, and the premium scales with the car's value and the perils included; a higher excess lowers it. Lenders financing a car often require Casco. Compare like-for-like cover, not just the headline price.
Protections and regulation
Motor insurers are supervised by the Financial Supervision Commission under the Insurance Code. MTPL is legally mandatory, and driving without it carries fines and liability for any damage caused. The compulsory scheme provides minimum liability limits set by law and EU-wide validity. A guarantee fund exists to compensate victims of uninsured or unidentified drivers. Read the Casco terms on excess, exclusions and claims before buying.
Common questions
Is car insurance mandatory? Yes — Grazhdanska otgovornost (MTPL) is compulsory for every registered vehicle; Casco is optional.
Do I need Casco? It is optional but worthwhile for newer or financed cars, and lenders often require it.
Does my MTPL cover me abroad? It is valid across the EU, and the Green Card system extends liability cover to further countries.
The cheapest Car Insurance in Bulgaria is BGN 0 from Allianz Bulgaria Insurance.
Car Insurance in Bulgaria — FAQ
What is the cheapest car insurance in Bulgaria?
Giraffy tracks 5 car insurance products across Allianz Bulgaria Insurance insurers in Bulgaria. The lowest tracked price is BGN 0. Your individual premium depends on your vehicle, driving history, and location — comparing quotes regularly is the most effective way to cut costs.
What is the difference between third-party and comprehensive car insurance?
Third-party cover is the minimum legal requirement in most markets — it pays for damage you cause to other vehicles and people but not your own car. Comprehensive cover includes damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault — and is often only marginally more expensive than third-party cover.
What factors affect my car insurance premium?
Key factors include: age and driving experience, claims history and no-claims bonus, vehicle make, model, and engine size, annual mileage, where you park overnight, postcode, and whether you add named drivers. Younger drivers typically pay more due to statistically higher accident rates.
What is an excess and how does it affect my premium?
The excess is the amount you contribute towards a claim before the insurer pays the rest. There's usually a compulsory excess (set by the insurer) and a voluntary excess (you choose). Raising your voluntary excess lowers your premium — but make sure you could comfortably pay it if you needed to claim.
What is a no-claims bonus (NCB) and how does it work?
An NCB (or no-claims discount) rewards claim-free years with lower premiums — typically 10–15% discount per year, up to around 60–70% after 5+ years. You can protect your NCB with an add-on that allows 1–2 at-fault claims without losing your discount. Check if your NCB is transferable when switching insurers.
Does adding named or additional drivers affect my car insurance premium?
Adding an experienced driver with a clean record can sometimes reduce premiums. However, adding a young or inexperienced driver almost always increases costs. 'Fronting' — where a parent is listed as the main driver to reduce a young driver's premium — is illegal and can void a policy.
Can I get car insurance as a temporary or short-term policy?
Yes — temporary car insurance is available from specialist providers for short periods. It's useful for driving a car you don't own, sharing driving on a long trip, or covering a car you're selling. These policies don't affect the main policy holder's no-claims bonus.