Have you heard about the green card for cars and wonder if you need it for your next trip? The green card for cars, or international insurance certificate, is a guarantee from your insurer that it provides you with third-party liability coverage in countries participating in the green card system. So, if you are planning to travel, you should check with your insurer whether you need to have the green card for cars with you. But how can you get it, how much does it cost, and where is it valid?
Procedure for issuing the Green Card
This card, which essentially serves as an official certificate, is issued by the insurance company you have chosen for your car insurance. Usually, it is provided for free, without additional costs or procedures, when issuing your car insurance. If you don’t have it, your insurer can issue it to you within a few minutes and send it electronically to your email. Don’t forget to print the document on green paper to be considered valid.
*Note: The green card does not provide coverage for optional covers, but only for third-party liability coverage.
What to watch out for when you receive the Green Card?
As soon as you have the green card in your hands, it would be good to check the following:
➔ If the expiration date covers your upcoming trip.
➔ Make sure that the country you are visiting has not been excluded with an “X”.
➔ Your details and the details of your car are correctly stated.
Where is the Green Card valid?
The Green Card is valid for all countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA). A prerequisite is that your details in the insurance policy are in Latin characters. Then you can travel to these countries without having the green card with you. If a country has an “X” on the insurance certificate, then you do not need the green card in that country.
Travel to North Macedonia with a green card
North Macedonia is one of the countries visited by many Greeks throughout the year, especially residents of Northern Greece. If you are planning to travel to the country, it would be good to have a green card as there are many checks at the borders, and it is likely that they will ask for it. Contact your insurer to make sure, but it is better to have all the necessary documents rather than to be inconvenienced there, risking not being able to cross the borders.
Travel to Bulgaria with a green card
Bulgaria shares a border with our country and is a popular destination, especially during the winter season. If you are traveling by road, you will definitely need to have the green card to cross the borders comfortably. Here too, the checks are strict, and you must be sure that your third-party liability insurance is active. An experienced insurance advisor will inform you before your trip about the insurance documents you need for there.
