Insurance and accident advice for driving abroad
Make sure you’re properly insured to drive abroad and know what to do if you’re involved in an accident or collision while you’re away.
Driving abroad: what you need to know
Driving in other countries can be a great experience, but rules and insurance requirements vary from country to country. Before you travel, it’s important to understand what level of insurance cover you have, what proof of insurance you may need, and whether additional cover is required. A few simple checks can help you avoid unexpected issues and make sure you’re legally covered wherever you drive.
What is a Green Card for driving?
The Green Card system, co-ordinated by COB, is an international initiative with 50 member countries that aims to protect road users by making sure that victims of accidents caused by foreign vehicles receive fair compensation.
It does this through the use of a Green Card, which is a document that proves your vehicle has valid motor insurance when driving in member countries. A Green Card shows that your insurer will provide you, at minimum, with the level of insurance cover required by law in the country you’re visiting. This is usually part of your UK-based insurance policy and does not cost you anything extra.
The minimum insurance cover required by law is usually on a third-party basis. Third-party only covers damage you’ve caused to other people or vehicles if you’re the driver at fault.
If you’re planning to drive abroad, we’d recommend you check this with your insurer and pay for additional cover before you go if you feel you need it.
Do you need a Green Card to drive abroad?
A Green Card is only relevant when you are driving a UK, British Crown Dependencies or Gibraltar-registered car abroad. The Green Card system is split into two categories.
Free circulation zone
You don’t need to carry or display a Green Card if you’re driving within the free circulation zone. Your UK motor insurance automatically provides the minimum level of cover needed.
Countries included in the free circulation zone:
All countries within the European Economic Area (EEA)
UK, British Crown Dependencies and Gibraltar
Andorra
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Montenegro
Serbia
Switzerland
If you’re planning to drive in these countries, it’s advisable to contact your insurer to arrange comprehensive insurance cover so that costs for theft or damage to your own vehicle and personal injury are included, should you have an accident.
Proof of Green Card needed
Some countries do require a Green Card to be shown as proof of motor insurance. You’ll need to request this from your insurer before you travel. They are usually issued digitally and can be shown on your phone.
Countries that require proof of a Green Card:
Albania,
Azerbaijan
Moldova
North Macedonia
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
When you request a Green Card, make sure to check the level of insurance cover. Consider upgrading to comprehensive insurance for the duration of your time abroad. We always recommend you carry a printed copy of your Green Card with you just in case.
What if my insurer won't issue a Green Card?
In some cases, your UK insurer may decline your request to cover your travel to one of the countries that require proof of a Green Card. If this happens, you’ll need to pay a different insurer who is willing to cover you for the duration of time you are spending in that country. This temporary policy will just run alongside your usual UK insurance, starting as you enter the specific country and ending when you leave again.
Driving in countries outside the Green Card system
If you’re planning to drive your own car in countries that aren’t part of the Green Card system, you’ll need to purchase local insurance at the border. This is known as frontier insurance and provides country-specific cover for your trip.
You’re no longer covered by your usual insurer under these circumstances, which means that any accidents in these countries will need to be resolved through the frontier insurance company that issued you with the policy.
Green Card system members change from time-to-time. It’s worth checking the status of the country you are travelling to if it’s outside of the EEA. COB, the organisation that co-ordinates the Green Card system, have an interactive map that shows the live status of every country.
Collect as many details as you can
Whether you’re in a vehicle, on a bike, or a pedestrian, you’ll need to collect as many details as you can about the other vehicle involved in the accident. You should do this no matter who is at fault.
Make sure you get:
Name and address
Vehicle registration plate, make and model
Insurance and/or green card information
Photos of both vehicles and the surrounding area
Witness contact details
Report it to the police
Either you or the other driver should report the accident to the police. It may even be helpful for your insurance claim if you can get a copy of the police report.
Contact your insurer
If the accident involved a vehicle that you were driving, the next step is to contact your insurer. They’ll be able to give you guidance on what to do next.
Standard accident form
In many European countries, drivers use a standard accident form called a ‘Constat Amiable’.
This form helps the driver to record what happened in the accident using simple diagrams and details from both drivers. Insurers will use this to decide who was responsible for the accident. The form has space for a signature at the bottom, but you should think carefully before signing. Only sign it if you fully understand what it says and if you agree with all of the information written. Signing a form with inaccurate information could cause issues for your insurance claim. You are not obligated to sign the form, even if the other driver wants you to.
Locating a foreign driver
Struggling to get a driver’s details after an accident abroad?
The UK Information Centre run by MIB may be able to help you with finding the insurance details of the foreign vehicle involved.
You can contact us via email at UKICInfoCentre@mib.org.uk.
Accidents involving lorries
European heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) have different registration numbers on the cab and the trailer
If you have an accident with a lorry, you’ll need to make sure you get the insurance policy information for the cab (sometimes called the tractor unit).
Frequently asked questions about driving abroad or having an accident with a foreign vehicle
A Green Card is a document that acts as proof of insurance for the vehicle you’re driving abroad. If you’re driving in what is known as the free circulation zone, then you won’t need physical proof of a Green Card.
If you’re driving beyond the free circulation zone, you may need to request a Green Card from your usual insurer. This is only necessary for the following countries:
Albania,
Azerbaijan
Moldova
North Macedonia
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
If you’re driving outside of the Green Card system entirely, you’ll need to buy frontier insurance at the border of the country you’re visiting. Examples include Algeria, Egypt and Syria. This also applies to countries that are suspended from the Green Card system.
The Green Card system does not apply to locally hired cars in the country you are visiting.
You can drive across most of Europe without needing to show a Green Card at the border. However, there are seven member countries that do require physical proof of motor insurance:
Albania,
Azerbaijan
Moldova
North Macedonia
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
If you arrive at the border of a country where a Green Card is required and you don’t have one, you may be refused entry or be required to buy frontier insurance at the border which can be more expensive. Always check requirements before travelling.
You’ll need to exchange insurance policy and personal details, take photos of the vehicles involved, and contact your insurer as soon as you can.
If the other driver is at fault, you’re struggling to get their details, or they’ve left the accident scene, you can contact MIB for guidance on next steps.