What is a "Green Card"?

If you are planning a car trip abroad, you will need to obtain a so-called "Green Card". Without it, you will not be able to enter Europe and certain other countries.

The "Green Card" is an international motor third-party liability insurance policy, a full equivalent of Kazakhstan's compulsory motor third-party liability insurance. The policy is valid in the countries that are parties to the agreement, which has existed since 1953. There are currently 45 such countries. These are European countries, including Russia, as well as Israel, Turkey, Morocco, Iran and Tunisia. Since 1 January 2009, the functions of the Russian Green Card bureau have been performed by the Russian Association of Motor Insurers.

It should be noted that this type of insurance has not attracted much interest from domestic insurance companies. This may be explained by the relatively high entry fee and the high level of liability. Initially, only 12 insurance companies expressed a wish to issue Green Cards, and over time their number has even declined.

Two types of policy are provided. One is for Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus, and the other is for all other European countries. During the first ten years after accession to the agreement, international policies are issued only for vehicles registered in Kazakhstan. When leaving Kazakhstan, the presence of a Green Card policy is checked by the Customs Service.

A Green Card policy will save you all the hassle in the event of an accident abroad, within the sums insured and in accordance with the laws of the country where the accident occurred. Nevertheless, you still need to know how to act in such a situation.

If you are involved in an accident in one of the countries party to the agreement, you must stop, switch on your hazard lights and set up warning signs. If you are in the EU, report the incident to the police by calling 112. If, God forbid, anyone is injured, give them whatever help you can and call an ambulance.

Make contact with the other party to the accident. Try to obtain from them the so-called Accident statement — the accident report form — and fill it in.

Show your Green Card to the other parties involved and write down the details of their insurance policy. It is advisable to photograph all documents, as well as the scene of the accident.

After all this, inform the foreign Green Card bureau and your insurance company about the accident.

Following these instructions carefully will make your road trip easy and enjoyable. Have a safe journey!