INTERNATIONAL AUTO INSURANCE SYSTEM "GREEN CARD"

The International Motor Insurance System (known as the "Green Card" system) is a European system established in 1951 (operational since January 1, 1953) based on Recommendation No. 5 of January 25, 1949, adopted by the Working Party on Road Transport of the Inland Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, replaced by Annex No.2 of the Consolidated Resolution on the Facilitation of Road Transport, adopted by the Working Party at its 66th session from February 7-19, 2004, of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).

The operation of the "Green Card" System is contingent upon the existence of a "Green Card" National Bureau and a valid "Green Card" insurance document in the country of origin and is based on financial guarantees and mutual trust between Bureaus, with financial stability being the pillars of support and proper functioning of this system.

The primary goal of the "Green Card" System is to facilitate international vehicle movement. In this context, the national legislation on compulsory motor third-party liability insurance applies to all vehicles traveling within the territory of the state that has adopted such legislation, including vehicles from other countries. To comply with the legislation of the visited country, the driver of the foreign vehicle will present an international "Green Card" insurance certificate issued by an insurer, a member of the National Bureau from the country of origin.

The international "Green Card" system operates in countries where:

• motor vehicle driver's liability insurance is mandatory under national legislation;
• the legality of this system's requirements is officially recognized at the national level;
• there is a National Bureau established under the government's guarantee, which includes all insurers practicing compulsory motor vehicle driver's liability insurance.

The "Green Card" Bureaus Council, being an international non-commercial and non-political association, has the following objectives:

• Facilitating cross-border road traffic and protecting the victims of cross-border road traffic;
• Coordinating activities and cooperation among National Bureaus, Compensation Bodies, Guarantee Funds, and Information Centers within the framework of agreements and regulations adopted within the association or among its members, to ensure the successful implementation of Recommendation No. 5 and EU Directive 2009/103 on motor insurance.
• Protecting the interests of National Bureaus, Compensation Bodies, Guarantee Funds, Information Centers, as well as injured parties involved in cross-border road accidents, MTPL insurers and their insured and/or policyholders.
• Limiting the association's activities to non-profit activities, for the common good of the members and stakeholders, without pursuing any material or commercial advantages for the members.

The "Green Card" Bureaus Council is headed by:

• COB President - Ms. Sandra SCHWARZ (German National Bureau)
• COB Vice-Presidents – Mr. Sorin GRECEANU (Romanian National Bureau) and Mr. Abderrahim DIOURI (Moroccan National Bureau)
• General Manager - Ms. Greet FLORÉ.

The current headquarters of the "Green Card" Bureaus Council is in Brussels, Belgium.

You can view the COB brochure HERE (download document).

For additional information about the Council of Bureaus, visit www.cobx.org.