How to get compensation after an accident abroad and where to go?

An accident can happen at the most unexpected moment, either on the way to work or while travelling. However, people experience even more stress when they are involved in an accident outside their home country. Find out what to do in the event of a road traffic accident abroad and how to get compensation

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside your home country

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Unfortunately, no one is immune from road accidents, as any road user can become the culprit of a road accident, either due to a vehicle malfunction or their own negligence. And while the procedure in the event of an accident in the country of permanent residence is quite clear to drivers, getting into an accident abroad can easily be confusing due to lack of knowledge of local rules and stress.

What to do in the event of an accident abroad and how to receive compensation is described in the article below.

What documents do I need to have to get compensation in case of an accident?

You can claim compensation after an accident abroad only if you have a pre-issued Green Card, which is mandatory for driving in 44 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. For a complete list of countries where the Green Card insurance policy is valid, please follow the link. Remember that a Green Card insurance policy is mandatory for travelling abroad by car!

You can apply for a Green Card car insurance policy for the required period on the Visit Ukraine website.

Please note! The amount of damage coverage (for car repairs or treatment of victims) depends on the country in which the accident occurred. We told you more about the coverage of the Green Card in different countries of the world earlier.

Procedure in case of an accident abroad

In the event of a road traffic accident, the driver at fault for the accident must:

Step 1. Take a photo or video of the scene;

Step 2. Call the police;

Step 3. Get an official police report on the circumstances of the accident;

Step 4. Give a copy of the insurance certificate to the victim;

Step 5. Notify your insurance company of the incident within 15 days.

Important! The contact information is always indicated on your insurance policy - keep it ‘at hand’ for emergencies.

What should I do if the person responsible for the accident does not have an insurance policy?

If it happens that the person responsible for an accident abroad does not have an insurance policy, you need to contact the National Green Card Office of the country where the culprit's vehicle is registered. They will inform you about the next steps.

National bureaus represent more than 1500 insurers and perform two main functions:

- Settlement of claims resulting from road traffic accidents (‘Bureau of the country of the accident’);

- payment of coverage under insurance certificates (the ‘Guarantee Bureau’).

Payments in the absence of an insurance policy are made on an interchangeable basis: The Bureau of the country in which the vehicle is registered reimburses the expenses of the Bureau of the country of the accident.

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How not to become a victim of fraudsters as a result of an accident abroad: 4 simple rules

Unfortunately, car owners can become victims of fraud both in Ukraine and abroad. To avoid losing money, follow a few simple rules:

1. If it is obvious that you are the victim of an accident, do not provide a copy of the insurance contract to anyone other than the police.

2. If you believe you are a victim of an accident, demand that the culprit notify his or her insurer and provide a copy of the insurance contract (or information about it).

3. If possible, take a photo of all the documents drawn up at the scene of the accident (e.g., the Euro protocol).

4. Write down all the data of the other parties to the accident:

- Name of the driver;

- driver's licence series and number;

- name of the insurance company;

- Green Card policy number;

- Name and contact details of witnesses.

Please note! If there are no victims in the accident and the damage to the vehicles is minor, you can issue an agreed notice - the Europrotocol. It is important to remember that you cannot draw up an electronic Europrotocol abroad.

How to buy a Green Card on the Visit Ukraine website?

Thanks to cooperation with reliable insurance companies, Visit Ukraine offers users proven international insurance that meets the requirements of the MTIBU and European insurance standards.

You can take out an insurance policy in a few clicks:

1. Click the ‘Order a policy’ button.

2. Select the type of vehicle, country of travel and the period of insurance.

3. Review the calculated cost and choose an insurance company.

4. Fill in the information about the policyholder and the vehicle.

5. Check the accuracy of the data and sign the agreement with the terms of the contract.

6. Pay for the policy in a convenient way and (you will receive an electronic version by e-mail).

Important! The policy comes into force the next day after the date of issue, so you should plan to purchase it in advance.

Take care of your safety abroad - take out a Green Card insurance policy!

Advantages of buying insurance on Visit Ukraine portal

1. Convenience and accessibility

2. Possibility of online registration and receipt of the policy by e-mail

3. Reliability and security (Visit Ukraine is a proven service that guarantees the safety of your transactions)

4. Round-the-clock support of specialists

5. User-friendly interface and the ability to organise a turnkey car trip.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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