To drive your car on UK roads, you must have car insurance.
Legally, you must have at least third-party insurance. This means you are covered if you get into an accident that damages someone else car, animal, or property. It doesn’t pay for anything else, like fixing your car.
You might want to work with a broker like Quote Radar.
If You’re in A Car Crash
If you get into an accident that causes damage or injury, you must give the aforementioned to anyone who “reasonably needs them,” like an insurance company:
- Your name and address
- The number on the car’s registration
If the car is not yours, you must also give the name and address of the owner.
If you don’t give the police your information at the scene of the accident, you must do so within 24 hours.
You must also tell your insurance company about the accident, even if you don’t plan to file a claim.
Accidents With Drivers Who Aren’t Insured
If you get into an accident with an individual who isn’t insured, you must tell the police.
You can also get more information from your insurance company.
Out Of the Country
If you’re driving for most European countries, all UK car insurance gives you the minimum third-party coverage to drive in:
- The EU (including Ireland)
- Andorra
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Serbia
- Switzerland
Check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers damage or theft to your car while it’s abroad.
You do not need a green card when you continue driving in the EU (including Ireland), Herzegovina, Bosnia, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Andorra, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland. However, You still need insurance for your car.
You may need a green card to drive in these other countries:
- Azerbaijan
- Albania
- Belarus
- Moldova
- Belarus Turkey
- Russia
- Ukraine
If you’re driving anywhere else, you may have to bring a green card to show that you have the least insurance coverage required by your region. Among these are:
- Tunisia
- Iran
- Morocco
- Israel
Your vehicle, trailer, or caravan may also need extra insurance. Check the country’s travel tips before you go.
Having Your Insurance Company Give You a Green Card
When you drive in another country, a green card is a piece of evidence that you have insurance for your car.
Purchase one for your car by calling your insurance company. They’ll probably:
- Send a green card in the mail, which could take up to six weeks.
- Tell you how to get a green card online and print it yourself.
When You Drive Abroad, You Must Show Your Green Card.
If you are in an accident, you should show your green card.
You might have to reveal your green card:
- If the police stop you at the border
- When you’re going from one country to another
Cars Without Insurance
English, Welsh, and Scottish laws
You must have car insurance if you drive your car on roads or in public places.
If your car is kept off the road and declared off the road, you are not required to insure it (SORN). “Continuous insurance enforcement” is the name of this rule.
Otherwise, you could:
- Receive a fine.
- Your car could be impounded, seized, or destroyed, or you could be taken to court and get a fine.
Exceptions For Car Dealers
If a vehicle is between registration keepers or registered as “in trade” with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), it is not subject to continuous insurance enforcement.
Vehicles that you hold for your personal use are not exempted.