101 UK Brexit Notes

Connemara Programme October 16 2018 pg. 25 Transport: Road: Vehicle Insurance Purpose For private and commercial motoring, we are seeking a deal to ensure that UK motorists can continue to drive in the EU without additional checks and documentation after we have left. This notice sets out the actions that UK motorists may wish to consider in order to continue to drive in the EU, if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 with no agreement in place on motor insurance Green Cards. Before 29 March 2019 The EU motor insurance directives were established to enhance both the protection of victims of traffic accidents and freedom of movement within the European Economic Area (EEA). A feature of the directives has been the introduction of the Green Card-free circulation area. In this area, systematic checks of Green Cards as proof of third party motor insurance have been abolished at the border of EEA member states and 3 third countries (Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland). The Green Card is an international certificate of insurance issued by insurance providers in the UK, guaranteeing that the motorist has the necessary third party motor insurance cover for travel in the country being travelled to. Green Cards are guaranteed through agreements between the countries that issue them. All certificates have the same format, are green in colour, and list the countries for which the motorist’s insurance policy is valid. Green Cards are currently issued free-of-charge, but insurance providers can decide to reflect production and handling costs in a small increase to their administration fees. After March 2019 if there’s no deal If the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 with no deal in place regarding the implementation period and future arrangements, access to the Green Card-free circulation area would cease. This would mean that UK motorists would need to carry a Green Card as proof of third party motor insurance cover when driving in the EU, EEA, Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland. Travel to the EEA Even in a no deal scenario, all UK motor insurance providers will continue to be required to provide third party motor insurance cover for travel to EEA countries. If you are a UK motorist, you will, therefore, not need to purchase additional third party motor insurance policy cover when travelling to these countries with a UK-registered vehicle. You would continue to hold the same third party cover that you do now. If we do not have access to the Green Card-free circulation area on exit day, we expect that UK motorists would need to carry a Green Card as proof of third party motor insurance cover if you drive to and within:  EU or EEA countries  Andorra  Serbia  Switzerland The validity of UK Green Cards in these countries is subject to agreements that need to be reached between the UK’s Motor Insurers’ Bureau and the relevant National Insurers’ Bureaux. These agreements ensure Green Cards are recognised and facilitate the settlement of claims for traffic accident victims. You should expect documentation checks to be carried out when entering these countries. You can request a Green Card from your insurance provider free of charge, but insurers may decide to reflect production and handling costs in a small increase to their administration fees. If you have 2 insurance policies covering the duration of your trip (because the policy renews whilst you are away), you must ensure you have the correct documentation (1 or 2 Green Cards may be required). If you are a commercial operator and have fleet insurance, you must ensure you have Green Cards for each vehicle. Some countries also require separate trailer insurance to that of the towing vehicle, which means a separate Green Card may be required for your trailer. Without a Green Card, you would have to purchase local insurance in the country you are entering (also known as frontier insurance). This provides proof of third party motor insurance cover for a UK-registered vehicle in that country for a limited period of time (the period of validity varies depending on policy purchased). However, due to high