Car Insurance Abroad – Your Green Card Gives You The Green Light

As in this country, it is against the law to drive in Europe without having car insurance, and if you are going on holiday or on a business trip, you must be able to provide proof that you are covered if asked.

The certificate that has historically provided this proof of cover for UK motorists travelling abroad is called the Green Card.

In the early nineties, however, it was agreed by many countries on the Continent that it was no longer necessary for drivers to have the card. The problem is that this ruling has not been universally applied across the EU and is not even recognised within some countries that were party to the agreement. As a result, the requirement of a Green card can change from country to country.

For example, in France and Italy you can experience difficulties without a Green Card. You will be required to produce one in Malta, Andorra and Poland, and in Romania no card could mean no car, as it could be impounded. The consequences of that happening don’t even bear thinking about, so adequate steps to ensure you have a trouble-free journey do need consideration.

To begin with, no matter what car insurance company they are with, UK motorists will have to upgrade their insurance for the duration of their holiday anyway.

Even if you have Fully Comprehensive cover in the UK, this does not automatically mean that you are protected with the same level of insurance cover when driving abroad. Your insurance as it stands could actually translate to no more than the equivalent of Third Party insurance in this country.

So, to avoid the risk of experiencing problems, don’t forget to arrange a European extension of your insurance cover and to make sure you have your Green Card - with every single detail correct, well in advance of your travel date.