Insurance

Updated : 12/2011

If you are in an accident abroad

The accident was my fault

Declaring an accident

Fill out the European accident statement. This standard document, identical in most EU countries, helps you record the facts and makes it easier to settle any claim.

Injuries to you and others

Your insurance from home will always cover you if you injure someone else (third-party damages) in any EU country.

However, cover for other types of damage such as injuries you suffer (first-party insurance), fire, theft and so on suffered while abroad is not a standard part of insurance policies.

For these, you will have to check with your insurer before leaving the country.

Your liability insurance policy covers all passengers travelling in your vehicle, other than the driver. In most EU countries, you can also arrange additional 'first-party' cover for the driver.

Damages – amounts

You are covered up to the amounts set out in your insurance contract.

EU law guarantees minimum liability coverage. If you are in an accident in another EU country, you will be covered for at least the following amounts:

• 1 January 2010 – 11 June 2012
  • 500 000 euros per victim or
  • 2 500 000 euros per claim for personal injuries and
  • 500 000 euros for material damage
• From 12 June 2012
  • 1 000 000 euros per victim or
  • 5 000 000 euros per claim for personal injuries and
  • 1 000 000 euros for material damage.

The amounts vary depending on the date because the law is gradually being changed to increase the maximum liability coverage for all EU citizens.

Of course, if your insurance policy comes from a country that applies higher liability coverage than the EU minimum, you will be covered up to that amount throughout the EU.

If the actual damage exceeds the maximum amount in the country where the accident happened and you do not have higher cover in your insurance policy, you will have to pay the difference.

You may want to check whether your insurer offers unlimited liability cover, especially for personal injuries.

EU law also guarantees that you receive the highest amount of liability cover available – see example below.

Still need help?

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