A green card is not the same as a UK Certificate of Insurance, within the EU. It offers more and therefore costs more.

A UK Certificate of Insurance only provides proof of the MINIMUM legally required level of cover in each EU State even though the policy might include greater cover within UK, such as TPFT or Fully Comprehensive. The underlying policy only covers these minimums outside of UK despite whatever level exists within the UK.

A Green Card extends the full policy cover level within the UK to whatever other countries the insurers accept, and you pay for, for the duration of its issue period.

Also, outside of your home country, Green Cards were the only accepted document of proof of minimum insurance many years ago. Since EU became more integrated, the UK Certificate of Insurance became accepted as such proof for Police purposes across the EU.

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Redboots is right - we in the UK are catching grief because we dont have a green card which will satisfy poorly educated border guards who stick to their rules like sh** to a blanket. If its not green, they cant handle it. Carole Nash doesnt fully appreciate the problem this causes , tho' Ive phoned and told them so.


All info above on this trip is good stuff IMO. Dont forget that the Northern Eoripean countries are now in the EU which is a big help.

Down with the dopes who want the UK out of the EU. And the Euro is lovely.

I famncy that trip to the Crimea and wanted to do it this year, but went to the Baltic States instead - which was great anyway.

Ah Tony... there's the rub. The Green Card is issued in Europe without incurring
extra cost.
Rip-off Britain again?

Cheers,
John

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

I have no confirmed knowledge of Green Cards issued outside the UK. I was, however, answering the original question and supplying requested info from a UK perspective - the country of the questioner.

I do agree about rip-off Britain - or Treasure Island as some multi-nationals informally call it.
At present I am in Russia again, and cannot see any reason why goods shipped across Western Europe and even the rest of the world to Russia cost considerably less here than in the Uk(*see edit below). Foods in particular - and there is no VAT on food in UK. Eg Carribean or South American bananas are far far cheaper here than in UK.

But Western Europe is not above being unreasonable in pricing. Why does Italy, Spain and Poland (possibly more) charge a motorcycle the same toll on motorways as for cars?

We occupy less space, cause considerably less wear on the road due to 50% fewer wheels and far less weight on them, do not add to congestion (other than at toll booths where it takes us longer - thats why they now exempt bikes on main toll bridges in UK), use less fuel and pollute less.
Our vehicles remain roadworthy for far longer, using less resources.
Our vehicles always have at least 50% occupancy - what % of cars do the same? Far fewer!

Hats off to the French who charge us about 55% the car rate. How did this come about? Protest?

Maybe we should start an International Co-ordinated Protest and effect go slows at toll booths by taking the precaution of approaching carefully (ie slowly) switching off our bikes (for safety and fume reduction, of course), putting it on its centre stand (safety) to get our money from 'dry' pockets within our inner clothing. Replacing change inside, doing everything up, put on gloves, take bike off stand, start up and carefully (ie slowly) pull forward.
If we all did it I feel the authorities might well react to the protests of the delayed cars, buses and lorries and listen to reasoned argments put forward by Motorbike Action Groups.

Thats my rant over - for now! I might start a thread on it when I get back to UK.

* Edit. What I meant to say is I cannot see why they cost more in UK. I think it reads that but the wrong way round.

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I wasn't questioning your reply
Just wondering what makes the UK insures so special that they wont issue green cards as a matter of course and at no, apparent, charge like European insurers.

Don't get me started on UK prices! I have worn Daytona boots for the last 15 years for road riding. Have a little search on the German sites and the uk sites for Daytona Winners and Evo's Staggering.

John

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster