BREXIT - Guidance For customers travelling in Europe witha policy underwritten by Aviva
With negotiations still continuing over the United Kingdom's exit of the European Union, and uncertainty surrounding the terms of the Brexit deal, we want to provide (as best we can) an update on the potential impact on our customers, should the UK leave the EU without a withdrawal agreement. It is important to note that nothing has been formally agreed at this point, but customers should be aware of the potential implications in respect of motorhome insurance and travel in Europe.
As the United Kingdom is currently due to leave the European Union on 29th March 2019, any trip that ends before this date will not require a Green Card unless you are travelling to any of the following countries: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Israel, Morocco, Montenegro, Tunisia or Turkey. In the event of a “no deal “ Brexit, customers travelling to Europe may need to take action for some types of cover, however we can only issue a Green Card 21 days before the start of your trip. You should therefore contact us at the appropriate time for us to issue you a Green Card. As of 27th February it appears increasingly likely that there will be an extension to negotiations, in which case there will be no changes for the time being. We will continue to monitor political developments and we are engaging with our underwriters/regulators, so we can minimise any regulatory or operational difficulties that might arise, and we are seeking to provide the service our customers expect whatever the Brexit outcome.
Why do customers need a Green Card?
A Green Card is an international certificate of insurance which guarantees that the motorist has the necessary minimum insurance cover. It certificates that the policyholder is suitably insured to drive abroad. A physical copy of a Green Card on green paper is needed when travelling as digital copies are not currently accepted. If customers arrive at a border without a physical Green Card, they may not be allowed to drive in that country.
What does it mean for our customers?
At present, Comfort policies allow policyholders to drive within the European Union, cover is still in place and nothing will change. If you are planning a trip that is completed before the 29th March 2019 then there is no change.
How will we be issuing Green Cards?
The process of issuing Green Cards for driving within the EU is currently being implemented by Comfort Insurance. Until more certainty is provided about the formal Brexit agreement on 29th March, the interim guidance is that you should contact us if you intend to drive abroad three weeks before travel, and we will issue and send the required document. From 1st March there will be no charge when we issue a Green Card.
We will keep you updated with further information when there is more clarity regarding the long term implications of Brexit.
Will a UK driving licence be valid to drive in the EU after 29th March 2019?
While it is too soon to say, in the event of a “no deal” situation, the Department for Transport has indicated that you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU. This would need to be shown in conjunction with a UK driving licence. The IDP is issued by the Government via Post Offices; Comfort Insurance cannot issue IDPs. It is important to note that there are different types of IDP, and this will depend on the country you will be driving in:
Please note that a lot of the changes taking place will only apply in the event of a “no deal”. There are actions taking place to keep the pan-European Green Card which is already part of your insurance policy so an additional Green Card may not be required.
As this is a rapidly changing issue we will keep our customers informed of progress.
With negotiations still continuing over the United Kingdom's exit of the European Union, and uncertainty surrounding the terms of the Brexit deal, we want to provide (as best we can) an update on the potential impact on our customers, should the UK leave the EU without a withdrawal agreement. It is important to note that nothing has been formally agreed at this point, but customers should be aware of the potential implications in respect of motorhome insurance and travel in Europe.
As the United Kingdom is currently due to leave the European Union on 29th March 2019, any trip that ends before this date will not require a Green Card unless you are travelling to any of the following countries: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Israel, Morocco, Montenegro, Tunisia or Turkey. In the event of a “no deal “ Brexit, customers travelling to Europe may need to take action for some types of cover, however we can only issue a Green Card 21 days before the start of your trip. You should therefore contact us at the appropriate time for us to issue you a Green Card. As of 27th February it appears increasingly likely that there will be an extension to negotiations, in which case there will be no changes for the time being. We will continue to monitor political developments and we are engaging with our underwriters/regulators, so we can minimise any regulatory or operational difficulties that might arise, and we are seeking to provide the service our customers expect whatever the Brexit outcome.
Why do customers need a Green Card?
A Green Card is an international certificate of insurance which guarantees that the motorist has the necessary minimum insurance cover. It certificates that the policyholder is suitably insured to drive abroad. A physical copy of a Green Card on green paper is needed when travelling as digital copies are not currently accepted. If customers arrive at a border without a physical Green Card, they may not be allowed to drive in that country.
What does it mean for our customers?
At present, Comfort policies allow policyholders to drive within the European Union, cover is still in place and nothing will change. If you are planning a trip that is completed before the 29th March 2019 then there is no change.
How will we be issuing Green Cards?
The process of issuing Green Cards for driving within the EU is currently being implemented by Comfort Insurance. Until more certainty is provided about the formal Brexit agreement on 29th March, the interim guidance is that you should contact us if you intend to drive abroad three weeks before travel, and we will issue and send the required document. From 1st March there will be no charge when we issue a Green Card.
We will keep you updated with further information when there is more clarity regarding the long term implications of Brexit.
Will a UK driving licence be valid to drive in the EU after 29th March 2019?
While it is too soon to say, in the event of a “no deal” situation, the Department for Transport has indicated that you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU. This would need to be shown in conjunction with a UK driving licence. The IDP is issued by the Government via Post Offices; Comfort Insurance cannot issue IDPs. It is important to note that there are different types of IDP, and this will depend on the country you will be driving in:
- A 1949 Convention IDP covers these EU countries: Republic of Ireland, Spain, Malta and Cyprus; or
- A 1968 Convention IDP covers all other EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland
Please note that a lot of the changes taking place will only apply in the event of a “no deal”. There are actions taking place to keep the pan-European Green Card which is already part of your insurance policy so an additional Green Card may not be required.
As this is a rapidly changing issue we will keep our customers informed of progress.
Silly me.
