During the holiday period nothing more natural than to travel through the country or to foreign countries by car. No matter how cautious one may be when at the steering wheel of a car, just as diligent and complying drivers that we should all try to be, the possibility of being involved in an accident, with minor or severe damages and whereby apart from our own vehicle one or more vehicles with foreign registration plates are also involved, cannot be ignored.

Even though the majority of those vehicles are perfectly documented, be it terms of the Green Card , be it with the correct registration documents, there are a minority that circulate without any documentation whatsoever, and what is worser still, are those vehicles circulating in our country with false registration plates.

In order to guarantee the correct handling of the claim in the fastest and quickest manner and the recognition of indemnities due for the damages suffered, specially when the cause of the accident is not our fault, the Portuguese Green Card Bureau (GPCV) leaves you here some advice on how to proceed in the case of an Accident:

For each and every accident, in the country of residence or in a foreign country and immediately on the scene of the accident

• Always, when possible request for the intervention of the competent authorities, be there injured persons or not.
• Make sure both drivers fill in and sign the Friendly Accident Statement.
• Ask the driver of the foreign vehicle for the copy of the Green Card (essential document).
• Take note of the identification of the vehicle, according to the registration booklet, registration plate, make, model and colour.
• Identify the owner of the vehicle (Property Registration Document). When the driver does not coincide with the owner of the vehicle, take note of his/her identification, name, address, telephone number and drivers licence;
• Always when possible take note of the name, address and telefone numbers of eye witnesses to the accident.
• In the case of a detached or semi -detached vehicles (tractor / trailer) take note of both registration plates and ask the driver for the copy of the green card of the tractor.
• In the case of a runaway car, alert the authorities immediately so that they may take the necessary action.

Accidents ocurred in Portugal

• If it is clear that the responsability for the cause of the accident is yours, participate the accident to your insurance company, using the copy of the friendly accident statement that you filled in.
• If it is clear that the responsability for the cause of the accident is of the driver of the foreign car, or in case of doubt, contact the Green Card Bureau to formalise your claim.

Accidents ocurred in a foreign country

• Contact the Green Card Bureau of that country to formalise your participation The identification of all of the Bureaux is listed on the back of your Green Card.
• If the responsability for the cause of the Accident is of the driver of the foreign car, the Bureau will inform you of the insurance company liable.

NEVER FORGET THAT:

• The Green Card in your possession is valid for every country for which the international letters have not been crossed out.
• It is possible to extend the cover to other countries, provided that such is requested with your insurance company.
• The green card only guarantees the risk of third party motor liability. If you possess a guarantee of Own Damages and intend that this cover should be extended to the countries you wish to visit, contact your insurance company.
• All of the information that can be gathered at the scene of the Accident may be fundamental for the efficient and rapid settlement of the claim.