Taking your motorCYCLE abroad
Each year over 2 million motorists take their cars
or motorbikes abroad. Whether you are only making
a day trip across the channel to France, driving on
business or holidaying overseas, it is vital that
you have full insurance cover before setting out.
If not, you could find yourself unprotected and left
with an expensive bill if you are involved in an accident
or your motorcycle is stolen.
The relationship between UK Motorbike Insurance cover
and Green Cards can be confusing. The following notes
clarify the position.
All UK insurance policies automatically provide, at
no extra cost, the minimum cover required by law in
all European Union (EU) countries, or the minimum
cover in the UK if that is greater. The minimum required
is cover for your liability to third parties.
In the non-EU countries listed below, the same situation
will normally apply. However, some insurers may exclude
cover in non-EU countries so, if you are travelling
outside the EU, you should always check your cover
carefully.
| Croatia
Czech Republic
Gibraltar
Hungary |
Iceland
Liechtenstien
Monaco
Norway |
San Marino
Slovenia
Slovakia
Switzerland |
Most people want the same protection they enjoy in
the UK when travelling abroad, for example Comprehensive
or Third Party, Fire and Theft.
This could, in addition to the legal minimum of third
party liability cover, include accidental damage to,
or theft of or from, their own vehicle, depending
on the policy cover. So in most cases you will need
to ask your insurer or insurance adviser to extend
the scope of your cover before you go abroad. An additional
premium may be charged for this extension - although
a number of insurers automatically give it, usually
for a limited period, without charge.
A Green Card is an internationally recognized document
which serves solely as evidence that the holder has
the minimum insurance cover required by law in the
country being visited. A Green Card provides no insurance
cover in itself.
It is not necessary to have a Green Card when travelling
to the EU and countries listed above (although if
you do not take a Green Card, you should instead carry
your Certificate of Insurance). However, a Green Card
can serve as easily recognisable proof of third party
insurance, for example in the case of an accident
when travelling abroad.
Insurers do not charge for a Green Card. Where insurance
is arranged through an intermediary, such as an insurance
broker, however, they may levy an administration fee
for arranging a Green Card for their client. If they
do, they must separately indicate the amount of the
fee and its purpose.
There are other countries party to the Green Card
arrangements where you will either need to have a
Green Card or purchase insurance at the border. Currently
they are:
| Albania
Andorra
Bosnia - Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Cyprus†
Estonia
Iran |
Iraq*
Latvia
Macedonia
Malta
Moldavia
Morocco |
Poland
Romania
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
Yugoslavia |
† Southern Greek Cyprus only
* Membership suspended - Green Cards are not available.
Border insurance required
If you have any concerns about taking your car outside
the UK consult your insurer or insurance adviser.
This is especially important with regard to those
countries listed immediately above where the situation
can change very quickly.
Accidents abroad
If you are involved in an accident, immediately tell
your insurer or your insurer's representative in the
country concerned. While the Green Card gives details
of the local Green Card Bureau, you should still contact
your insurer or your insurer's representatives.
Many insurers issue a European Accident Statement.
This enables drivers to exchange facts while events
are still fresh in their minds and without admitting
liability.
Helplines
Many insurers offer 24-hour UK telephone numbers in
case you need help in an emergency. Make sure you
have these details with you when you travel abroad.
