Every year the number of vacationers who prefer not to depend on air and rail carriers, but to travel by their own car, is increasing. If it is supposed to come to Finland, then it is doubly justified: good roads, roadside service, comfortable motels, the ability to visit significant places at any time - this is not a complete list of advantages. But, unfortunately, anyone can get into an accident, then a green card to Finland issued in advance will allow you to compensate for the damage.
Why do you need a Green Card?
One of the essential attributes of any trip is insurance. For a person this is travel medical insurance, and for a car it is a “Green Card”, a policy of compulsory motor third party liability insurance for causing harm to the life and property of third parties during the operation of a car. A Green Card is required for anyone traveling abroad with their own car.
It is important to remember that in the event of an accident that occurs abroad, the insurance company that issues the policy compensates the loss to the injured party, and not to the person at fault. In other words, if, while abroad, you become the culprit of an accident, payments under the “Green Card” will be received by the second, injured participant. The victim's insurance company will reimburse you for your loss.
Photo: karjalainen.fi
“Green Card” is the same auto liability insurance policy for a car driver as the Russian compulsory motor liability insurance policy. Only it operates not in the Russian Federation, but on the territory of countries that are official participants in the Green Card System. This system includes all Schengen countries, as well as Andorra, Bulgaria, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Israel, Cyprus, Morocco, Romania, Croatia, Albania, Great Britain, Iran, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Montenegro, Tunisia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan , Belarus.
The coverage area of the policy can be all foreign countries and Schengen countries, or only Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine.
The minimum period for which you can buy such insurance is 15 days, the maximum is 1 year. A “Green Card” is purchased for specific calendar dates, short-term – directly for the dates of the trip. That is, if the trip is planned for February 1, then you need to take out a policy from this date. Even if you are traveling to Finland for one or two days, you will still be issued a Green Card for a minimum period of 15 days, that is, it will be valid until February 15. On the other hand, if during these two weeks you spontaneously decide to travel again to Finland or to a country participating in the GreenCard System, then you will not need to take out a new policy.
Having a Green Card when crossing the border is a mandatory condition. Otherwise, you will not only have to pay a fine of 200 euros, but also purchase a Finnish MTPL policy (this is at least another 100 euros).
The following insurance companies are accredited to issue policies: Alfa Insurance, Soglasie, Reso-garantiya, Rosgosstrakh, XXI Century, ERGO, Spasskie Vorota.
Some companies that are not part of the Green Card System, for example Ingosstrakh, can issue policies from authorized insurance companies.
Advantages
A green card is a prerequisite for entering Europe with your own car. If the traveler does not have the appropriate document in his hands, he will still be required to purchase a policy at the checkpoint. However, in this case the price of the document will be much higher. It is also important to take into account that if you do not have a green card for your car, checkpoint employees have every right to cancel your visa for traveling to Finland.
This policy has several important advantages. Among the most important advantages it should be noted:
- Compensation for material damage in a collision with a foreign car.
- There is no need to obtain a current document to enter other EU countries.
Documents to be received
To obtain a Green Card, you must contact one of the insurance companies or the Visa Center. The policy is issued on the basis of a foreign passport and a vehicle passport/vehicle registration certificate. Payment for the policy is made on the spot, in a lump sum, in cash or by credit card. Documents that remain in your hands after concluding the contract:
- Green Card Policy;
- Reminder of actions in case of an accident
- Rules
- Payment receipt (or electronic check if payment was made by card)
Registration of a green card (Green Card)
The cost of the Green Card depends on a number of criteria, in particular on the category of the vehicle, zone and validity period of the policy. Tariffs for all participants in the Green Card System in the Russian Federation are the same.
Refund procedure
If a person traveling by car gets into an accident in any of the countries that are signatories of the Green Card, the mechanism of that particular country will apply. If an accident occurs in Finland, the amount and procedure for compensation will be determined by the Finnish side.
The amount consists of several criteria and depends on a number of factors. The most important are:
- the category to which the transport belongs;
- validity period of the international policy.
Compensation will be handled by the Green Card system office located in Finland and related to the area of the incident.
In the event of an accident, a foreign driver who has a Finnish Green Card must act according to the following algorithm.
- Call the traffic police by phone.
- Use them to record the incident.
- Show the patrol officers the original international insurance Green Card.
- Carry out those actions that will be prescribed by the orders of the traffic police officer.
What is the price?
The tariff schedule for the cost of the “Green Card” in accordance with the length of stay in the country and the category of the vehicle.
Cars:
| 15 days | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months | 4 months | 5 months | 6 months | 7 months | 8 months | 9 months | 10 months | 11 months | 1 year |
| 2450 | 4670 | 8670 | 12230 | 15120 | 16460 | 17790 | 18680 | 19570 | 20460 | 21130 | 21570 | 22240 |
Motorcycles, scooters, mopeds:
| 15 days | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months | 4 months | 5 months | 6 months | 7 months | 8 months | 9 months | 10 months | 11 months | 1 year |
| 1220 | 2340 | 4340 | 6120 | 7560 | 8230 | 8900 | 9340 | 9790 | 10230 | 10570 | 10790 | 11120 |
Should it be made for motorcycles?
Insurance in the Green Card system is carried out for all types of vehicles:
- cars;
- trucks and tractors;
- buses;
- motorcycles, sidecars, scooters;
- motorized bicycles;
- mopeds;
- construction equipment;
- agricultural machinery;
- trailers for cars;
- trailers and semi-trailers for trucks.
Insurance implies protection of motor vehicle liability to third parties. And purchasing a policy is required for any equipment that takes part in road traffic.
Motorcycles and similar types of vehicles also require insurance. And in the absence of a policy, entry into Finland will become impossible.
Where can I buy
Buying a green card on the way
A “Green Card” can be purchased on the eve of the trip or in advance (but not earlier than 30 days before the policy comes into force) at the office of the insurance company or at the Visa Application Center. But if you don't have enough time for this, that's okay. On the roads leading to all checkpoints in Finland - Brusnichny, Torfyanovka, Svetogorsk, Vyartsilya - you will have the opportunity to buy a policy. In cars and minibuses parked on the side of the road, in roadside cafes, special trailers and at gas stations. The fact that the “Green Card” is being sold in this place will be announced by signs - from handwritten ones on a piece of Whatman paper to electronic displays with a running line.
In order to protect yourself as much as possible from possible complications, it is better to apply for a Green Card not in an open field, but either in the pavilion of a specific insurance company (for example, ERGO), or in a specially equipped insurance department at a gas station.
Pavilions of specific insurance companies
Perhaps the best place to buy a Green Card. Official agents of insurance companies work here who know their business well, will quickly issue a policy and clearly explain how to behave in the event of an insured event.
Small insurance points located in cafes and gas stations
Another good place to buy a Green Card. Firstly, here you can be offered policies from several insurance companies to choose from. Secondly, these “safety points” often operate around the clock.
Minibuses or cars parked by the road
In fact, this is not a very good place to purchase a Green Card. No, they will most likely sell you real insurance. The point is different. Such mobile “offices” most often do not have a computer or a printer. Employees issue policies manually, occasionally making mistakes. If an insured event occurs or even just checking the “Green Card” at the borders, problems may arise because of this.
Important points
Don't forget to check that your first name, last name and vehicle registration number are correct on your insurance. If errors are detected at the border, you will have to pay a fine and buy a Finnish compulsory motor liability insurance policy, just like in the absence of a policy.
Alexandra Storozhuk
Registration procedure
Green Card for foreign drivers is an official document, the appearance and issuance of which is controlled by authorized government agencies. When working with intermediaries, make sure that they are accredited to issue a Green Card to Finland.
What documents need to be prepared
Any motorist wishing to obtain a Green Card must provide:
- identity document (for an individual);
- certificate of registration (for a legal entity);
- vehicle passport (PTS), vehicle registration certificate (VRC);
- application for concluding an insurance contract with a specific organization.
All documents must be valid: with a current expiration date, reliable information and without damage.
Registration cost
All travelers are interested in the question of what determines the cost of a green card. It is important to note three significant factors:
- Duration of insurance (from fifteen days to twelve months).
- Vehicle type.
- Countries in which the Green Card is valid (some policies are valid only in the countries of the former USSR, some are valid almost everywhere).
The approximate cost of obtaining a document for traveling around Finland using your own passenger vehicle is as follows:
- Fifteen days - 2190 rubles.
- Thirty days - 4180 rubles.
- Sixty days - 7760 rubles.
- Six months - 15,920 rubles.
- Year - 19,900 rubles.
Useful tips
To avoid troubles, it would be useful to read the tips from experienced travelers who have traveled to other countries in their own car:
- The validity period of the issued Green Card must be with reserve. The fact is that such insurance cannot be extended.
- To enter Finland, only a Green Card policy is not enough. You must have a visa and medical insurance valid outside of Russia.
- Before concluding an agreement on additional services offered by the insurance company, you should carefully analyze whether they will be useful to you. It is possible that paying for them will turn out to be unnecessary expenses.
- When crossing the Russian-Finnish border, there should be no more than 10 liters of fuel in the tank of the car.
And, of course, do not forget to take all the papers for the vehicle, as well as identification documents of the driver and passengers of the car.
Where to apply?
As was said, insurance can be purchased on the Internet by filling out an online application. The document will be delivered to the specified address. The method is quite convenient and practical, allowing you to save free time and go about your business without thinking about paperwork.
Nevertheless, the majority of car owners still use the services of insurance companies, among which the following are worth noting:
- JSC IC "Twenty-first century".
- JSC "SG MSK".
- ZASO "ERGO Rus".
- Insurance LLC.
- JSC "ZHASO"
Many people are interested in where they can buy a green card to Finland in St. Petersburg. It is worth contacting Rosgosstrakh Insurance Company, RESO-Garanitya Insurance Company, as well as VSK Insurance Company, etc.
What to do if a traffic accident occurs due to the fault of a Russian citizen? The first step is to call local inspectors. Next, you need to contact the Green Card Bureau, which will compensate the damage to the injured party and also take upon itself the resolution of the conflict situation. Contact details are provided on the back of the insurance policy. If the culprit of the accident is a resident of Finland, his insurance company will compensate for the damage.
How to do
There are several ways to apply for a Green Card for a trip to Finland:
- Online on the insurer’s website with delivery of the policy to your home or receiving an electronic version of the Green Card.
- In person at the insurer's office.
- Online on the intermediary’s website, by phone or in person.
- On the border.
All types of registration require a standard set of documents and information about the policyholder. The car owner will not need to provide information about drivers authorized to drive the vehicle.
The fact is that a Green Card is issued for a specific car, regardless of the number of people who can use the vehicle.
There are also several nuances to consider:
- A green card is issued only for cars with a state license plate or “transit”;
- You can take out insurance for a car registered in the Russian Federation, regardless of its location. If the car is registered in Finland, then you will have to buy the policy there;
- If the car has transit plates, then insurance is issued for a period not exceeding 1 month.
To purchase a Green Card in Finland, the owner of the vehicle or his official authorized representative must contact the insurance company.
You must have the following documents with you:
- application for concluding an insurance contract;
- civil passport or other identification document of the applicant;
- a document confirming the state registration of the car and ownership of the vehicle.
When contacting the insurance company, you must know the exact time of your stay in Finland and the date of departure. You should not save money by calling a shorter period.
If the Green Card is issued by a legal entity, then a certificate of registration of an individual entrepreneur or LLC will be required, depending on the legal status. There is no need to present a driver's license.
The minimum insurance period for a Green Card is shown in the article:
minimum green card period
.
Where to buy a Green Card in Moscow around the clock, read here.
Statement
The application for a Green Card is filled out on a special form issued by the insurance company.
It contains information:
- personal data of the policyholder;
- information about the car;
- the area where the vehicle will be operated;
- insurance validity period;
- additional information required to use the Green Card;
- consent of the policyholder to the processing of personal data.
The policy number is indicated at the end of the application. After the insurance is issued, the policyholder must sign. It is not recommended to sign the document before receiving the Green Card.
A green card to Finland for 15 days or another period can be issued online on the insurer’s website.
This service is provided by almost all companies, allowing you to reduce the time for purchasing a policy.
The procedure for purchasing a policy online depends on the insurer. In general, the procedure is identical in different companies. Using an example, we will consider the procedure for obtaining a Green Card at Rosgosstrakh.
Go to the “Calculate” section to see the cost of the policy. If the price is known or is not of fundamental importance, then we proceed immediately to filling out the application.
To make the calculation, you will need to provide standard information: policy validity period, type of vehicle. To travel to Finland, select “All countries on the list”.
If you plan to immediately submit an application, please leave your contact information.
Click “Calculate” and get the result depending on the information entered.
The indicated price determines the cost of purchasing a Green Card for a passenger car and is valid for 15 days.
By immediately applying for a policy, you can purchase it at the specified cost. But it is worth knowing that prices change on the 15th of each month, so costs may be increased or decreased the very next day.
Other ways to purchase an insurance policy
The most expensive is purchasing a green card at border checkpoints. There are also special cars that provide these services. At first glance, this is the most convenient and practical option - no need to bother, just go in and buy a card directly at the border.
However, this method most often has obvious risks. Firstly, there is a high probability of filling out the document incorrectly. Secondly, you can become the owner of a fake insurance policy. And thirdly, this is the most expensive way to enter Finland. And finally, it is impossible to buy a pass at night.
Who needs an insurance policy?
We will operate with a concept that is familiar to many car owners. A green card to Finland is an international contract of compulsory automobile and civil liability insurance. In essence, this is the same MTPL insurance, only at an international level.
You can list its positive aspects for a long time, but the most important thing is that you will not become a malicious offender just because the presence of such a document in European countries is mandatory for any car owner. Without an international insurance policy, it is simply impossible to cross the border. A vigilant border service officer will definitely check all documents, including the presence of a green card to Finland. What is it for?
First of all, in case of an accident. This rule should not be ignored. Otherwise, you simply will not be allowed to enter Finland. Then you will have to buy a “green card” directly at the border, which will cost several times more than it could be done in advance. There are cases when the lack of an insurance policy became the reason why a foreigner’s visa was simply denied.
Document validity period
The policy protects the driver's auto liability and allows you to avoid the cost of restoring someone else's car in the event of an accident. Without insurance, it is impossible not only to move around a foreign country, but also to cross the border.
The shortest period of validity of a green card is 15 days.
That is, even if a Russian traveler arrives in Finland for a couple of hours, he will still have to pay for the entire 15 days. Finnish legislation does not yet provide for termination of a Green Card.
In this regard, purchasing a 12-month policy seems quite beneficial for someone who regularly visits this country. This option is especially attractive if the number of visits to the country varies from 8 or more.
How much will it cost to travel to Finland without insurance?
This information will come in handy. Especially for those who are not looking for easy and simple ways. Of course, the fine will be much greater than the cost of the permit document itself.
If you are stopped by a vigilant inspector, and for some inexplicable reason you do not have a policy or its validity has already expired, you will be issued a fine of 100 euros.
But that is not all. The careless tourist has the choice of a shameful return to his homeland or purchasing an insurance policy (plus another 100 euros).
Where and how to buy?
Nowadays, almost everything can be bought without leaving your computer. This also applies to the Green Card. This is the simplest and most cost-effective option - order an insurance policy online and have it delivered to your home or office. Why waste your free time? Stand in lines? After all, you can order it, the courier will deliver the document directly to the customer. You can find many resources on the Internet through which you can order a card. There you can also calculate the cost of the policy based on the entered queries.
For those who for some reason cannot take advantage of modern technologies, insurers live and work. Before paying for his services, you should check the availability of a license, since in the event of an unpleasant situation abroad, it may turn out that the purchased green card is invalid. Of course, the insurer's services must be paid for.
Remember that the data should be entered very carefully, as this is an important document.
In a land of amazing landscapes
Finland is Russia's closest northern neighbor. Therefore, residents of the northwestern region often go to Finland for weekends, shopping tours, holidays and just to relax. Many have friends or relatives in this country.
Some go to Finland by train, some by bus (luckily transport companies still exist and are trying in every possible way to earn their living), and some by car. Still, it is more comfortable, convenient and practical, but at the same time it is a little more dangerous. Road traffic accidents are not uncommon. Therefore, for security purposes and to prevent controversial situations, it is better to purchase a GreenCard - a special insurance policy valid in Finland. Many people are interested in the cost, as well as information on where to apply for a green card to Finland
