After a Car Accident Abroad: How to Make an Insurance Claim in Europe
Published on: March 26, 2026 Updated on: July 27, 2026
You’ve been in a car accident abroad. The other driver speaks a different language, and you are not sure how insurance works in this country. You do not have to handle anything abroad: you can file the claim from home, in your own language - that is how EU law works. This article shows you who to claim from in your situation, how much time you have, and what to do if the other driver fled or had no insurance.
Where to claim? Decision flowchart
Accident in the country where you live (and where your vehicle is registered)?
Domestic route
File with the at-fault driver's liability insurer, or through your own comprehensive cover. Many countries also allow direct settlement through your own insurer.
Did the at-fault driver flee the scene or have no liability insurance?
Compensation body / guarantee fund
Accident in the EEA: file with the compensation body in your country (your national motor insurers' bureau will point you to it). Outside the EEA: the guarantee fund of the country where the accident happened. Attach the police report.
Is the at-fault vehicle insured in the EEA (and you live in the EEA)?
Claims representative in your country
You can claim without travelling: every EEA insurer has a representative in your country (Directive 2009/103/EC). Your national information centre will identify them - you just need the at-fault driver's registration plate and the country of the accident.
Is the country of the accident, or the at-fault vehicle, part of the Green Card system? (e.g. UK, Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia, Ukraine)
National bureau of the country of the accident
File the claim with the Green Card national bureau in the country where the accident happened - it will identify the at-fault insurer's correspondent.
At-fault insurer only present in the country of the accident
Local claim
File the claim directly with the at-fault driver's insurer. Ask your own insurer or your assistance cover for help; for a large claim, consider a local legal representative.
Claim reporting deadlines depend on the country where the accident happened (examples above).
Your 4 rights under EU law
Directive 2009/103/EC (the Motor Insurance Directive) gives every driver who had an accident in another country four specific rights. These apply whenever you have an accident in an EU/EEA country other than your own.
Right 1: Claim from home, in your own language
Every motor insurer operating in the EU must appoint a claims representative in each other EU/EEA member state. You do not need to deal with a foreign insurer in a foreign language or travel back to the country of the accident - you contact the representative in your home country, who handles the claim in your language and deals with the foreign insurer on your behalf.
Example: a Polish driver has an accident in Spain. The Spanish driver’s insurer is required to have a claims representative in Poland, who handles the case in Polish and communicates with the Spanish insurer directly.
Right 2: 3-month insurer response deadline
Once you submit your claim, the at-fault driver’s insurer (or their claims representative) has 3 months to make a reasoned offer of compensation (where liability is not contested and damages are quantified) or provide a reasoned reply to your claim. The deadline follows directly from Article 22 of the Directive and is binding on the insurer. If the insurer fails to respond in time, you can escalate to your national compensation body (Step 5 below).
Right 3: Claim directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer
Article 18 of the Directive gives you the right to submit your claim directly to the insurer of the person who caused the accident, without going through your own insurer first. In practice it is worth notifying both, but the choice is yours.
Right 4: Protection if the driver is uninsured or flees the scene
If the at-fault driver was uninsured or could not be identified, you claim through the compensation body in your home country, which coordinates payment with the guarantee fund in the relevant country. Every EU member state has to run one of these funds, so you always have somewhere to turn. (details in the dedicated section below).
The Green Card system: coverage outside the EU
Beyond these four rights, the Green Card system - an international framework administered by the Council of Bureaux in Brussels - has 47 member countries, of which 44 are currently active (Russia and Belarus were suspended in 2023, and Iran is also suspended). Within the EU/EEA, your registration plate replaces the Green Card as proof of insurance, but a Green Card is required when driving to non-EU countries that are part of the system (e.g. Turkey, Morocco, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine) - and it is worth carrying one even within the EU, since it lists the insurer details you need for Section 7 of the European Accident Statement. The system also determines how cross-border claims are routed: when a Ukrainian-registered vehicle is involved in an accident in Poland, the injured party contacts PBUK, PBUK contacts MTSBU, and MTSBU contacts the Ukrainian insurer.
Drivers from the UK: since Brexit, UK drivers are not automatically covered by all the rights described above. Check your policy terms and contact the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) for guidance.
Step by step: how to file a European accident claim
Your claim rests on the European Accident Statement - a standardised form signed by both drivers at the scene, recognised by every insurer in Europe. Without it, the insurer has to reconstruct the facts from scratch, which delays payment and weakens your position. See our complete guide to the European Accident Statement and our field-by-field guide to filling it in.
Step 1: Report to your own insurer promptly
Contact your own insurer as soon as possible after the accident - even if you are not claiming through your own policy. Deadlines in the country of the accident can be short (see the flowchart above), and late reporting can reduce or void your claim. Send the completed statement (the PDF from easf.eu arrives in your inbox instantly - forward it as is; if you used a paper form, photograph it and keep the original) along with your photos and any police report.
Step 2: Find the claims representative in your country
Contact your national information centre (table below). Give them the at-fault driver’s registration plate number and the country where the accident happened - they will identify the insurer and provide the contact details for the claims representative in your country.
Step 3: Submit your claim
Send the representative a complete set of documents:
- The completed European Accident Statement (or your one-sided version with evidence, if the other driver refused to sign)
- Photos of the damage, vehicle positions, plates, and the accident scene
- Police report, if one was filed
- Medical documentation, if there were injuries
- Witness details
- Repair estimate or invoices
- Your own policy and contact details
Keep copies of everything and note the exact date you submitted the claim - this is when the 3-month clock starts.
Step 4: Track the 3-month deadline
Mark the submission date plus 3 months in your calendar. If you claimed by email, keep the sent confirmation; if by post, use registered mail with proof of delivery.
Step 5: If no response - escalate to the compensation body
If the insurer or their representative does not respond within 3 months, turn to the compensation body in your country - EU law requires it to step in. Examples across Europe: Verkehrsopferhilfe (Germany), FGAO (France), OFESAUTO/Consorcio (Spain), Consap (Italy), Waarborgfonds Motorverkeer (Netherlands), FCGB-BGWF (Belgium).
How to find your claims representative: national bureaux and information centres
Every EU/EEA country maintains an information centre, usually hosted by the national motor insurers’ bureau. In some countries this is the same organisation; in others they are separate bodies - the table below lists both where they differ.
| Country | Bureau | Information centre | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | PBUK (Polskie Biuro Ubezpieczycieli Komunikacyjnych) | same | pbuk.pl |
| France | BCF (Bureau Central Français) | AGIRA | Bureau: bcf.asso.fr - Information centre: agira.asso.fr |
| Germany | Deutsches Büro Grüne Karte e.V. (DBGK) | GDV (Zentralruf der Autoversicherer) | Bureau: gruene-karte.de - Information centre: zentralruf.de |
| Spain | OFESAUTO (Oficina Española de Aseguradores de Automóviles) | Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros | Bureau: ofesauto.es - Information centre: consorseguros.es |
| Italy | UCI (Ufficio Centrale Italiano) | Consap | Bureau: ucimi.it - Information centre: consap.it |
| Austria | VVO (Verband der Versicherungsunternehmen Österreichs) | same | vvo.at |
| Netherlands | Nederlands Bureau Motorrijtuigverzekeraars | same | vereende.nl/nlbureau |
| Belgium | BBAA-BBAV (Bureau Belge des Assureurs Automobiles / Belgisch Bureau van de Autoverzekeraars) | same | bbaa-bbav.be |
| Switzerland | NVB (Nationales Versicherungsbüro) | same | nbi-ngf.ch |
| Ukraine | MTSBU (Motor Transport Insurance Bureau of Ukraine) | same | mtsbu.ua |
For a complete list of information centres in all EU/EEA countries, visit the Your Europe portal.
If the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, unidentified, or their insurer is insolvent, you claim through the compensation body in your country of residence (see Step 5 above) - it takes over the case and settles up with the guarantee fund in the country where the accident happened.
Evidence matters more than ever here, so write down everything you can.
- Registration plate of the other vehicle (even partial), make, colour, and direction of travel
- Witness details
- Photos of the scene, the damage, and any marks on the road
- Police report - call the police immediately; a police report is, in practice, essential for guarantee fund claims, and leaving the scene of an accident is an offence across the EU
The more evidence you provide, the stronger your claim - the fund can process it even without identifying the at-fault driver.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to submit my claim?
Deadlines vary by country and policy - report as soon as possible. Some countries require notification within a few working days of the accident. Late reporting can reduce or void your claim. The universal advice from insurers and consumer authorities across Europe: contact your insurer on the day of the accident if at all possible.
What documents do I need?
At minimum: the completed European Accident Statement (or your one-sided version if the other driver refused to sign), photos of all vehicle damage and the accident scene, the other driver’s insurance details and registration plate, and any police report. If you have medical documentation, repair invoices, or witness statements, include those as well.
What if the other driver disputes the facts?
This is exactly why the European Accident Statement matters. The form records the facts both drivers agreed to at the scene - confirmed by both signatures. If the other driver later changes their story, the signed EAS is the primary evidence. If they refused to sign, your photos, witness details, and any police report support your version. Note any disagreements in the Remarks section of the form before signing.
Can I repair my car before the claim is settled?
Contact your insurer before starting any repairs. Photograph all damage thoroughly and get a written repair estimate first. Keep all invoices for repairs, tow trucks, and any related expenses - you will need these to support your claim.
What if the insurer misses the 3-month deadline?
If the at-fault driver’s insurer (or their claims representative) fails to respond with a reasoned offer or a reasoned reply within 3 months, you can escalate to the national compensation body in your home country. This body is required by EU law to step in and handle your claim. Contact your national motor insurers’ bureau for the compensation body’s details.
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, deadlines, and procedures vary by country and may change. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified legal professional or your insurer.
Fill out the European Accident Statement online
The best thing you can do before any trip abroad is bookmark easf.eu on your phone. If an accident happens, both drivers fill in the statement at the same time on their own phones, each in their own language (33 to choose from), sign on screen, and receive the signed PDF by email instantly - the document your insurer needs to start processing the claim the same day. No app, no registration.
Start a session on easf.eu now
Sources
- EUR-Lex - Directive 2009/103/EC (Motor Insurance Directive), European Parliament and Council.
- Your Europe - Car insurance cover abroad, official EU portal.
- European Consumer Centre - Car accident in Europe.
- Insurance Europe - Accidents: information for consumers.
- PBUK (Poland) - pbuk.pl.
- ADAC (Germany) - Unfall im Ausland: Was tun?.
- GOV.UK - Driving in the EU, updated April 2024.
- IVASS (Italy) - Cosa fare in caso di sinistro.
- Consap (Italy) - Fondo di Garanzia per le Vittime della Strada.
- Mtsbu.ua (Ukraine) - Моторне (транспортне) страхове бюро України.