Are you planning to travel abroad by your own car? It is worth taking care of reliable car insurance in advance. Learn more about the Green Card policy for safe travel abroad and what changes in insurance are expected in 2025

Insurance policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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When planning to travel abroad in your own car, it is important not only to prepare the necessary documents and check the technical condition of the car, but also to take care of insurance, because the Ukrainian policy of compulsory motor third party liability insurance is not valid abroad.

How can you protect yourself from unforeseen expenses? Before traveling, a car owner should take out a Green Card policy. We will tell you about the benefits and procedure for obtaining this insurance below.

What is a Green Card insurance policy?

Green Card is an international insurance policy for motorists. The document is required when traveling abroad for all vehicles registered in Ukraine. The policy is also required to enter Ukraine in a car with foreign registration. It is issued exclusively for foreign travel.

The policy got its name because of the color of the paper it was printed on. Nowadays, of course, insurance is printed on regular paper, but the name has stuck.

Why do I need a Green Card?

A Green Card is an international motor third party liability insurance policy that is required to cross the border of Ukraine by car. Its absence makes it impossible to legally leave the country or enter other countries. When passing customs control, employees check the validity of the policy using a unique QR code contained in the contract or available on the MTIBU website.

The Green Card provides financial protection in the event of an accident abroad, allowing you to receive compensation from the insurance company. Traveling without this document is fraught with significant fines, car confiscation, deportation, or even a ban on entry into the country. In addition, car repairs abroad at your own expense can be very expensive.

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How does the Green Card work abroad?

The policy provides coverage for damages caused to third parties abroad, but does not protect the culprit of an accident. This means that if you damage someone else's car, the insurance company will pay compensation to the victims, not you. The amount of coverage depends on the legislation of the country where the accident occurred.

The Green Card is issued for the car, not for a specific driver. The policy automatically covers everyone who is driving the vehicle legally, so there is no need to add information about other drivers to the document.

In which countries is the Green Card insurance policy valid?

The policy is valid in the territory of the member countries of the Green Card system: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Great Britain, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Hungary, France, Finland, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Turkey.

What should I do if I get into an accident abroad?

In the event of an accident abroad, the following steps should be taken to reimburse the insurance company for damages:

- Take a photo or video of the scene;

- Call the police;

- Obtain an official police report on the circumstances of the accident;

- Give a copy of the insurance certificate to the victim;

- Notify your insurance company of the accident within 15 days.

Keep your insurance company's contacts handy for quick communication in case of emergency. The contact information is always listed on your insurance policy.

Are there any fines for an expired or missing Green Card?

Not having a policy can have serious consequences for drivers abroad. The amount of the fine depends on the legislation of the host country and starts from 1000 euros. However, the fine is only part of the problem. In some countries, the lack of insurance can lead to deportation, a ban on re-entry, as well as the confiscation or seizure of the car.

If an accident occurs without a Green Card, the cost of car repairs and treatment of victims can reach tens of thousands of euros. In European countries where there are no restrictions on compensation, the perpetrator may be obliged to cover the victims' losses for the rest of their lives.

For example, in Poland, the fine for not having a Green Card reaches 5000 zlotys (about 1200 euros), in Slovakia - up to 300 euros, and in Hungary - from 260 to 520 euros. In addition, the car may be confiscated until the driver takes out a policy.

You can find out more about the amount of fines for not having a Green Card in different European countries here.

Can I use the electronic Green Card policy?

In September 2022, an electronic Green Card policy was introduced in Ukraine. This innovation allows car owners to take out insurance remotely, without the need to visit the insurance company in person. An electronic policy has the same legal force as a paper policy and becomes legitimate from the moment it is issued.

However, some European countries still have transitional rules in place. In 2024, some countries still required a paper version of the document to cross the border. However, from 2025, a full transition to electronic versions of policies is expected in all countries that support the Green Card system.

The procedure for settling insurance claims will remain unchanged. The transition to digital format will take place gradually during the first 3 months of 2025. It is part of the overall digitalization strategy aimed at improving the comfort of international road travel.

Do I need a Green Card for trailers and semi-trailers?

For owners of cars and trucks planning to travel abroad, it is important to remember that the policy is required not only for the main vehicle, but also for trailers or semi-trailers. This document is a prerequisite for safe and legal border crossing.

It is easy to apply for a Green Card for trailers or semi-trailers on the Visit Ukraine portal. The procedure is simple:

- Select the country of destination;

- Determine the duration of insurance (from 15 days to 1 year);

- Select the type of vehicle (car, truck, trailer, semi-trailer or motorcycle);

- Set the insurance start date and confirm your choice.

Does the Green Card cover the repair of my car?

The Green Card provides coverage only for damage caused to third parties, including damage to their property or health. At the same time, this type of insurance does not cover the repair of your car or your medical expenses.

For such cases, you need to have additional insurance coverage, such as a Mini Hull Isurace policy for your car or medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

Changes in prices for international insurance Green Card

Starting in 2025, insurance companies in Ukraine will have the right to set their tariffs for Green Card policies. This became possible due to the new law on compulsory motor third party liability insurance, adopted on June 17, 2024.

Previously, the cost of insurance was regulated centrally, but now insurers will set prices based on their own risk assessment and market conditions. This reform helps to create a competitive environment that will allow car owners to choose the most favorable offers among various insurance companies.

New rules on the term of insurance policies

Starting from the beginning of 2025, international insurance contracts will come into force from 00:00 the next day after registration in a centralized database. This innovation requires car owners to take out a policy in advance before planning foreign trips.

In the absence of information about the contract in the unified database, the Green Card certificate is invalidated, which prevents border crossing. This significantly changes the current practice, when insurance could be taken out immediately before departure.

The new requirements aim to combat document fraud and improve transparency. In the future, a centralized database will be introduced to introduce electronic verification of the policy, which is an important step towards the digitalization of the Green Card system.

How to buy a Green Card quickly and easily?

The online Green Card application process on the Visit Ukraine portal has become as simple and convenient as possible. You can purchase an insurance policy for cars, trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, motorcycles, and scooters. Available insurance packages are valid for a period of 15 days to 1 year, depending on your needs.

The main advantages of applying for a Green Card on the Visit Ukraine portal are:

1. Convenience and speed: the process is completely online, without the need to visit offices or fill out paper forms;

3. Transparent conditions: fixed cost of the policy for European countries and competitive prices;

4. Reliability: all policies are registered in the MTIBU database, which guarantees their legitimacy;

Green Card holders receive guarantees of coverage of expenses in the event of an accident, as well as compensation for damage to life and property of third parties.

The procedure is as transparent and simple as possible:

- Select the policy term, vehicle type, and insurance start date;

- Fill in the information about the car (number, model, VIN code, etc.);

- Provide personal data: Name, TIN, address, passport details;

- Confirm the entered data;

- Pay for the policy in a way convenient for you.

The policy will be sent to your e-mail within 10 minutes after registration. Do not hesitate to apply for the Green Card in advance, because the insurance takes effect only at midnight of the next day. If the insurance expires abroad, you can quickly renew it online.

We remind you! A Green Card is a mandatory document for traveling abroad, so we do not recommend forgetting it before you go. However, there are cases when such a situation does occur. Read more about whether you can buy insurance right at the border.

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