Motoring
Taking a car overseas - Part 2
Can I use NSW registration plates in another country?
Do I need insurance to take my vehicle overseas?
What documents do I need when applying for insurance overseas?
Can I get insurance to cover a number of countries?
Which countries require a Green Card?
Does the Green Card cover towing a caravan?
What happens if I have an accident?
Is it necessary to take out travel insurance?
Is NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance valid overseas?
A policy issued in a country within the European Community (EC) (Austria, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Spain) automatically provides the minimum legal cover in each of the other countries within the EC. Although not members of the EC, the following countries also subscribe to this agreement: Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, Slovak Republic and Switzerland.
a letter from your doctor confirming good health, if you are over 65.
a Certificate of No-Claim Bonus from your insurer in Australia. This could help reduce the premium you pay overseas.
Insurance companies in Britain and Europe on behalf of the Green Card Motor Insurers' Bureaux issue the card which serves as a guarantee to authorities that you are covered to the extent of the minimum requirements of the local compulsory insurance law.
The cost of the insurance depends on the length of stay in a country, the countries visited, your driving record, the type of motor vehicle and whether or not a no-claim discount is allowed.
The statement is signed by both drivers, who should each keep a copy. The form is then sent to the insurance company. It's an agreed statement of fact but does not constitute an admission of liability and is not a substitute for a claim form, which most insurers require in the event of an accident. You should also:
Although short-term policies may not offer sufficient coverage to meet all costs involved with a serious illness or long term stay in hospital, such coverage will help to limit costs and may be sufficient to cover your medical costs.
Contact details of Australian and International motoring clubs.
Do I need insurance to take my vehicle overseas?
What documents do I need when applying for insurance overseas?
Can I get insurance to cover a number of countries?
Which countries require a Green Card?
Does the Green Card cover towing a caravan?
What happens if I have an accident?
Is it necessary to take out travel insurance?
Is NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance valid overseas?
Can I use NSW registration plates in another country?
When a vehicle currently registered in NSW is temporarily imported into another country and the local customs regulations have been complied with, the NSW registration plates may still be used provided an AUS plate or sticker is attached and the vehicle is covered by that particular country's personal injury third party insurance. You must keep your NSW registration current.If the vehicle is permanently imported, the NSW registration becomes invalid.
When the vehicle is finally registered and insured in your new permanent country of residence (but not before), the rego plates should be returned to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) for a refund, if applicable.
Do I need insurance to take my vehicle overseas?
Yes, and it's doubtful an Australian insurance company will issue insurance for driving overseas. Be aware that in some countries, it's impossible to register a motor vehicle unless it has insurance cover and proof of your insurance cover must be submitted with applications for registration.A policy issued in a country within the European Community (EC) (Austria, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Spain) automatically provides the minimum legal cover in each of the other countries within the EC. Although not members of the EC, the following countries also subscribe to this agreement: Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, Slovak Republic and Switzerland.
What documents do I need when applying for insurance overseas?
Make sure you take evidence of your:- good driving record, which you can get from the Roads and Traffic Authority for a fee.
Note: drivers under 25 years will find it virtually impossible to buy insurance cover in the USA.
Contact details of Australian and International motoring clubs.
Can I get insurance to cover a number of countries?
Green Card insurance or an International Motor Insurance Certificate is an arrangement that allows motor vehicle insurance taken in one European country to be carried over into another if the vehicle is being temporarily imported, eg for tourism purposes. It does not apply to permanently imported motor vehicles.Insurance companies in Britain and Europe on behalf of the Green Card Motor Insurers' Bureaux issue the card which serves as a guarantee to authorities that you are covered to the extent of the minimum requirements of the local compulsory insurance law.
The cost of the insurance depends on the length of stay in a country, the countries visited, your driving record, the type of motor vehicle and whether or not a no-claim discount is allowed.
Which countries require a Green Card?
- Bulgaria
- Estonia
- Malta
- Morocco
- Poland
- Romania
- Tunisia
- Turkey (must be valid for both European and Asiatic Turkey).
The Automobile Association in the UK strongly recommends you carry the insurance elsewhere because it's internationally recognised by police and other authorities and could save you much inconvenience in case of an accident.
Green Card insurance is not recognised in Algeria, Cyprus or the Successor Republics of the former USSR (excluding Estonia), and is not available in Australia.
Does the Green Card cover towing a caravan?
If you intend towing a caravan or trailer, ask your insurance company to validate the Green Card accordingly. Motor vehicle policies usually cover damage that is caused by a trailer whilst it is being towed. For an extra premium you can insure against damage to the trailer or caravan itself. For a light trailer this can be economic but for a caravan or boat you may need to take out a separate policy with a specialist firm.What happens if I have an accident?
If you have an accident while driving in Europe with your Green Card insurance, you will need to fill in a European Accident Statement Form.The statement is signed by both drivers, who should each keep a copy. The form is then sent to the insurance company. It's an agreed statement of fact but does not constitute an admission of liability and is not a substitute for a claim form, which most insurers require in the event of an accident. You should also:
- Notify the police, even though in some countries this is not compulsory.
- Obtain a certification of damage to a vehicle on entry to the country. When the vehicle leaves the country, the certificates must be produced, otherwise the driver and vehicle will be detained until the circumstances of the damage have been checked.
Is it necessary to take out travel insurance?
Hospital, medical and cancellation costs overseas are very expensive, so it's a good idea to take out adequate insurance cover before leaving Australia.Although short-term policies may not offer sufficient coverage to meet all costs involved with a serious illness or long term stay in hospital, such coverage will help to limit costs and may be sufficient to cover your medical costs.
Is NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance valid overseas?
No. NSW CTP Insurance is not valid outside Australia.Contact details of Australian and International motoring clubs.
Tool box
Font size:
Related Stories
- Taking a car overseas - Part 1
- International Driving Permits
- Motoring Directory - Overseas shipping
- Motoring Directory - Int. motoring organisations
- International Driving Permits
- Motoring Directory - Overseas shipping
- Motoring Directory - Int. motoring organisations