INSURANCE

Finnish motor liability insurance no longer valid for travel to Russia or Belarus starting from June

FINANCE FINLAND

As of next summer, travellers to St. Petersburg must obtain a local motor liability insurance policy. Image: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock
  • From 1 June 2023, Finnish motor liability insurance policies will no longer be valid for travel to Russia or Belarus.
  • All EEA member states and Switzerland terminated the multilateral green card agreements with Russia and Belarus last year, and the agreements end at the end of May, reports the Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre.
  • After this, any motorist intending to travel to these countries must take out the required insurance from a local insurer when they cross the border.
  • The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland advises against all travel to Russia and Belarus.

The green card is an international certificate of insurance which certifies that the visiting motorist has at least the minimum compulsory motor third party liability insurance cover required by the laws of the countries visited. In addition to Europe, the system includes countries such as Morocco, Tunisia and Iran. The green card can be obtained from the same insurer who issued the motor insurance policy. The card is presented in the event of a possible road accident and may also be requested by border authorities.

All green cards issued for travel to Russia and Belarus will expire at the start of June, reminds the Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre. If you travel to these countries earlier, when green cards are still valid, you must take out a new motor liability insurance policy from a local insurer by 1 June. Having a motor liability insurance policy is mandatory in Russia and Belarus.

“Russian motor liability insurance policies have a minimum validity period of five days. According to the Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre’s information, the insurance policies are sold at service points at the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Vartius border crossings, which are open around the clock throughout the year”, says Director Janne Jumppanen in the Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre’s press release.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland advises against all travel to Russia and Belarus.

The change in the green card system does not affect the cover of the innocent party involved in a road accident in Finland. Any damages caused by a vehicle registered in Russia, for example, will be compensated by the Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre also in the future. The cover of the party who sustains the damage or injury is not reduced.

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