FAQ
How is the settling insurance company determined in case of damage with a foreign vehicle?
Via the German Green Card Bureau, it is possible to identify foreign insurers if they are unknown. For this purpose, relevant accident data must be made available to the German Green Card Bureau so that it can carry out the investigation of the foreign insurer.
What is the German Green Card Office (e.V)?
The German Green Card Office is an association for the processing of accident claims with foreign vehicles abroad or within Germany. The German Green Card Bureau helps to identify the foreign insurance company and the German correspondent insurance company. In addition, damages with foreign vehicles in Germany can be claimed directly against the German Green Card Bureau if certain conditions are met.
What is the correspondence insurance?
Correspondent insurance is the German insurance company that settles on behalf of the foreign insurance company with which the foreign vehicle is insured.
Which insurance company will settle the claim?
As a rule, the German correspondent insurance takes over the settlement of the accident damage caused by a foreign vehicle.
What if the accident occurred abroad?
If the accident occurs abroad, the law of the country in which the damage occurred applies. Thus, German law is not applicable. Depending on the country in which the damage occurred, the injured party has different rights that he can invoke. For example, in some countries an injured party has the right to reimbursement of the costs of an independent expert, but in some countries he does not.
What costs are incurred by the injured party?
If one is not at fault in a car accident with a foreign vehicle in Germany, then the injured party should not incur any costs. The injured party will be reimbursed for all damages incurred by the German correspondent insurance company. This also includes the costs for a professional legal service provider, such as UNFALLNAVI. Often, however, errors occur when reporting the damage or within the settlement process, when the injured party tries to get the damage reimbursed on his own. These mistakes cost money, e.g. when the damage is quoted or insurance companies reduce damage items.