Green Card for car + border insurance = savings
If you constantly travel to Europe by car or travel for a long time, then sometimes you can save money without buying a green card in Russia for the entire period. Instead, you can buy a green card in Russia for 15 days and border insurance for several months or even a year. True, you have to get confused. Well, this option is not always cheaper..
The content of the article
Difference between green card and border
Green Card
You can buy only in the country where the car is registered, that is, in our case, it is Russia. Buying insurance in other countries for a Russian car is illegal. It will also not work to buy a Green Card from European insurers on the territory of Russia - their activities are prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation.
In great detail about why you need a green card and where it is better to buy it, in my post. By the way, you can buy it online, albeit with delivery, since you need the original.
Buy a green card in Russia>
Territory of insurance of the Russian green card
Border insurance
Sold after the border of the country you entered. Such insurance is bought in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, that is, in those countries that most often come from Russia..
Border insurance usually covers the Schengen countries and some of the European Union. And, as a rule, it is not suitable for travel to countries such as Montenegro, Serbia, CIS countries, etc. For countries of countries that are not covered by border insurance, you will need to buy to buy separate border or local insurance. Also, border insurance does not work on the territory of Belarus, for it you need to buy your own insurance, it costs about 1000 rubles.
This is what border insurance looks like in Poland
Local insurance in Bulgaria
Border Insurance Cost
In terms of cost, border insurance can sometimes be cheaper compared to the Russian green card, but not always. In particular, Lithuanians and Poles (ubezpieczenie graniczne) sell inexpensive ones. But such insurance must be bought directly in Lithuania or Poland, which is inconvenient if you are not going there initially. Both of these insurances can be bought near the border, on the Lithuanian or Polish side, respectively..
I didn't buy it myself, because I make a Green Card for the whole trip so as not to soar my brain. But here's what I collected from fresh reviews.
- In Poland, they will take 110 zlotys per month of insurance (approximately 2000 rubles).
- In Lithuania 50 euros for 3 months.
- In Croatia, insurance costs at least 250 euros.
- In Austria in Vienna in the club of motorists 130 euros for 1 month.
- In Slovenia, they don't know about border insurance at all. But maybe they just looked badly, or there were difficulties in translation.
- In the Czech Republic, it costs 20 thousand rubles and is issued only for 15 days..
- In Hungary, it costs about 20 thousand rubles per month.
- In Bulgaria, the price of insurance is 50 euros per month.
- In Finland 100 euros for 15 days.
- In Serbia, 160 euros is the minimum.
The cheapest insurance, as far as I understand, is done in Poland. But it only makes sense for short periods. Because for a year it will be released (110 * 12 = 1320 zlotys) about 23 thousand rubles. While the Russian Green Card costs the same for a year, it only includes many more countries, including Belarus. There is no savings.
I would be glad if you write the prices from the experience of your trips. Interested in any country.
How to save money by buying border insurance
In which countries does
If you decide to save a little, then you will need to clearly understand what kind of insurance and where you will buy. And also which countries are included in it. For example, if you are traveling from Russia to Serbia, if you buy cross-border insurance in Poland, in Serbia you will have to buy expensive local insurance. And it would be more profitable to initially buy a Russian green card.
The following countries are not included in the Polish border insurance: AL (Albania), AND (Andora), BIH (Bosnia and Herzegovina), BY (Belarus), IL (Israel), IR (Ireland), MA (Morocco), MD ( Moldova), MK (Macedonia), MNE (Montenegro), RUS (Russia), SRB (Serbia), TN (Tunisia), TR (Turkey), UA (Ukraine).
The list is the same for local Bulgarian insurance. The whole European Union is included, except for the countries mentioned above. And Iceland is not included too.
Countries where Polish border insurance is valid
From Russia to Europe
Below is a certain algorithm, which was developed on the forums, how best to do.
- A Russian Green Card is purchased for 15 days. If you live in Moscow or St. Petersburg, then just order your home or office through Polis812.
- Since you have a valid Green Card, you will be allowed through the border without any problems. If you traveled through Belarus, then the green card covers this territory and you do not need a separate insurance to cross Belarus.
- Having crossed the border with Poland, already on its side, you buy border insurance for your trip to Europe for the required period. These insurances are sold at gas stations, exchangers (Kantor). Buy exactly near the border, then it will be difficult to find (there will be no forms) and it will be 2 times more expensive. You can buy insurance after the border in Lithuania using the same scheme..
- You can now travel to those countries that are covered by your border insurance.
Order a green card at home>
Back from Europe to Russia
- To cross the Polish border, you must have a valid border insurance. If suddenly not, then you will have to buy before the border. Don't cross the border without insurance! Otherwise, you can get to a fine, a parking lot, etc. And in general, do not drive better in Europe without insurance or with an expired one..
- In Belarus, it will be necessary to buy already Belarusian insurance.
P.S. If you have something to add, be sure to write.