Discussion
AFAIK you used to have to carry a Green Card (supplied by your insurers) to prove you have European cover on your insurance, but in the current age of 'One Europe' I dont think a Green Card is required any more. Certainly in the past couple of years all Ive had to do is inform my insurers that I am going abroad (as long as its for les than 30 days or something) and the only requirement is to take your insurance certificate with you (along with your V5/MOT etc).
It should say so in your policy document?
It should say so in your policy document?
Edited by FUBAR on Thursday 3rd May 11:14
If you have told them you are going to France and they have extended your policy then they have issued "Green Card" cover.
In the old days (not that I remember of course
) you had to physically have a Green Card Certificate in your hand for travelling in Europe to prove you were insured. Now you just need to take your normal Certificate although some insurers will still issue a physical Green Card.
Now under EU rules your insurer will automatically give you the minimum cover required in any country you are visited within the EU, this is usually a version of Third Party Only. By requesting Green Card cover and telling them you are travelling in mainland Europe they extend your policy to whatever you have in the UK (TPF&T, Comp etc).
So....the short answer is - you have it!
(for the really old - you used to have to possess a "Bail Bond" for travelling to Spain to confirm that someone would bail you out if you got banged up for a motoring offence!!)
In the old days (not that I remember of course
) you had to physically have a Green Card Certificate in your hand for travelling in Europe to prove you were insured. Now you just need to take your normal Certificate although some insurers will still issue a physical Green Card. Now under EU rules your insurer will automatically give you the minimum cover required in any country you are visited within the EU, this is usually a version of Third Party Only. By requesting Green Card cover and telling them you are travelling in mainland Europe they extend your policy to whatever you have in the UK (TPF&T, Comp etc).
So....the short answer is - you have it!
(for the really old - you used to have to possess a "Bail Bond" for travelling to Spain to confirm that someone would bail you out if you got banged up for a motoring offence!!)
Take care - this really does depend upon your insurance company. Direct Line included European cover but I always needed a Green Card when I went to Europe to ensure that the cover was fully comp. Without it, I could only claim third party if I had a shunt. The "Green Card" also includes the form that you need to fill in here (in France) in the event of an accident. If you don't have the form, you could have some problems if the gendarmes get involved.
A 'Green Card' is still a legal requirement for travel overseas, though these days the number of insurance companies that actually issue a card, let alone a green one is limited.
Basically my insurance includes up to 30 days at a time cover in Europe off the bat. The back side of the Certificate of Insurance is the green card.
The green card basically has a message saying "The person holding this has at least the minimum level of insurance cover for the listed countries", written in a number of different languages. It then has any additional bits - mine has an additional section in Spanish saying "The cover extends to include a £1000 bail bond for travel in Spain."
(I'm working from home so it's sat here - I'm not so sad that I've memorised this stuff!)
Basically my insurance includes up to 30 days at a time cover in Europe off the bat. The back side of the Certificate of Insurance is the green card.
The green card basically has a message saying "The person holding this has at least the minimum level of insurance cover for the listed countries", written in a number of different languages. It then has any additional bits - mine has an additional section in Spanish saying "The cover extends to include a £1000 bail bond for travel in Spain."
(I'm working from home so it's sat here - I'm not so sad that I've memorised this stuff!)
You're talking about two separate things here.
Firstly there is Green Card Cover which extends your policy in Europe. You now don't need to carry the Green Card as your ordinary insurance certificate provides proof that you have the minimum cover requied and that's sufficient for M. Plod. If you get one then carry it but don't stress if your insurer won't issue one or it doesn't arrive before you leave.
THEN there is the Europen Accident form (or whatever it is called) - the theory of this being that you carry an English version of it, M. le Driver in France carries an identical version of it but in French and Herr Driver carries a German version of it (and so on)... so if you have le accident you both fill in versions of the form in your own language. It's a great system IF M. le Driver or Herr Driver are carrying their forms....how many Brits in the UK carry one on a day to day basis? (actually I do but I'm a bit of an anorak!). I'm not aware that the law in any EU country says you have to carry one of these and carrying one does not in anyway prove that you are insured.
Firstly there is Green Card Cover which extends your policy in Europe. You now don't need to carry the Green Card as your ordinary insurance certificate provides proof that you have the minimum cover requied and that's sufficient for M. Plod. If you get one then carry it but don't stress if your insurer won't issue one or it doesn't arrive before you leave.
THEN there is the Europen Accident form (or whatever it is called) - the theory of this being that you carry an English version of it, M. le Driver in France carries an identical version of it but in French and Herr Driver carries a German version of it (and so on)... so if you have le accident you both fill in versions of the form in your own language. It's a great system IF M. le Driver or Herr Driver are carrying their forms....how many Brits in the UK carry one on a day to day basis? (actually I do but I'm a bit of an anorak!). I'm not aware that the law in any EU country says you have to carry one of these and carrying one does not in anyway prove that you are insured.
matg said:
Renewed my Insurance yesterday, told them I was off to France and they muttered something about a Green Card for driving in Europe - what is it? Where do I get one, how much etc.
Thanks
It's more important to carry
1. One or more warning triangles
2. First Aid Kit
3. Spare bulb kit
4. Fire extinguisher
5. ONE reflective vest for each person travelling in the car
Most of these are advisory, some are compulsory in most countries in the EU
cooperlola said:
Take care - this really does depend upon your insurance company. Direct Line included European cover but I always needed a Green Card when I went to Europe to ensure that the cover was fully comp. Without it, I could only claim third party if I had a shunt. The "Green Card" also includes the form that you need to fill in here (in France) in the event of an accident. If you don't have the form, you could have some problems if the gendarmes get involved.
yup, Green Card is still a requirement... it cost me £9 for a 4-day last year when I still had insurance with Privilege... curiously, if you have an Admiral Multicar policy the Green Card is a standard policy addition - something i discovered when i checked with them last weekend.
jazzdevil said:
cooperlola said:
Take care - this really does depend upon your insurance company. Direct Line included European cover but I always needed a Green Card when I went to Europe to ensure that the cover was fully comp. Without it, I could only claim third party if I had a shunt. The "Green Card" also includes the form that you need to fill in here (in France) in the event of an accident. If you don't have the form, you could have some problems if the gendarmes get involved.
yup, Green Card is still a requirement... it cost me £9 for a 4-day last year when I still had insurance with Privilege... curiously, if you have an Admiral Multicar policy the Green Card is a standard policy addition - something i discovered when i checked with them last weekend.
I'll say this again shall I....
It's not a legal requirement to have Green Card cover or to physically be carrying a Green Card.
Your standard policy gives you the minimum cover required in the country you are visiting (EU). That's as much as you need by law and your existing insurance certificate confirms this.
To extend your policy further from the minimum cover you (on the majority of policies) need to tell your insurers you require "Green Card" cover and they may or may not charge an additional premium.
Frankly the Gendarme don't give a rats arse whether you have TPO or Comp cover - they just care that you the legal minimum and your Certificate confirms this.
Edited by Piglet on Friday 4th May 15:22
I've always been informed that the green card IS required. I believe you are required to present evidence of (at least) the minimum required insurance cover on demand, in an official national language.
Over here that's English and if you can't do it on the spot you have to present it at a police station within 7 days. Kind of a pain to have to drive from Le Mans, back to the UK to get a translation from your insurance compancy, to then drive back and present it at a police station!
Over here that's English and if you can't do it on the spot you have to present it at a police station within 7 days. Kind of a pain to have to drive from Le Mans, back to the UK to get a translation from your insurance compancy, to then drive back and present it at a police station!
//j17 said:
I've always been informed that the green card IS required. I believe you are required to present evidence of (at least) the minimum required insurance cover on demand, in an official national language.
Your insurance certificate is sufficient to prove the minimum cover required. There is not(unless someone can quote it) a requirement that it is in a particular language.
It's an EU requirement that all Motor Insurance Policies issued within the EU give the minimum cover required so any Motor Insurance Certificate by default gives that cover.
As I've said before if you get a Green Card it's sensible to carry it BUT it's not a legal requirement.
Anyway, doesn't everyone speak English if you shout loudly enough at them!!
Did I say it was a "legal" requirement? I don't remember that. What I said was that Direct Line insisted that I apply for one if the comprehensive part of the insurance were to be valid. Which is why I advised the o/p to check with their insurance company. The additional plus point of the Green Card from them, was that it included the accident report form. If you run into the average Frenchman, he will expect you to be carrying one so life will be a lot easier if you are.
Edited by cooperlola on Friday 4th May 18:00
cooperlola said:
Did I say it was a "legal" requirement? I don't remember that. What I said was that Direct Line insisted that I apply for one if the comprehensive part of the insurance were to be valid. Which is why I advised the o/p to check with their insurance company. The additional plus point of the Green Card from them, was that it included the accident report form. If you run into the average Frenchman, he will expect you to be carrying one so life will be a lot easier if you are.
Edited by cooperlola on Friday 4th May 18:00
Nope you didn't you were very clear but you were then quoted by someone who again said it was a "requirement" to carry a Green Card so I quoted the whole lot to clarify that it's not a LEGAL requirement
Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff