Green card to Finland: cost and features of car insurance

Driving your own car to Finland is common and, as a rule, comfortable. Do not depend on circumstances, calculate your own time and create your own route - these components help you get true pleasure from traveling. But we must not forget that if you are going abroad by car, then you will have to take out a civil liability policy for motorists.

Registration of a green card (Green Card)

Why do you need a Green Card?

One of the essential attributes of any trip is insurance. For a person this is travel medical insurance, and for a car it is a “Green Card”, a policy of compulsory motor third party liability insurance for causing harm to the life and property of third parties during the operation of a car. A Green Card is required for anyone traveling abroad with their own car.

It is important to remember that in the event of an accident that occurs abroad, the insurance company that issues the policy compensates the loss to the injured party, and not to the person at fault. In other words, if, while abroad, you become the culprit of an accident, payments under the “Green Card” will be received by the second, injured participant. The victim's insurance company will reimburse you for your loss.

Photo: karjalainen.fi

“Green Card” is the same auto liability insurance policy for a car driver as the Russian compulsory motor liability insurance policy. Only it operates not in the Russian Federation, but on the territory of countries that are official participants in the Green Card System. This system includes all Schengen countries, as well as Andorra, Bulgaria, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Israel, Cyprus, Morocco, Romania, Croatia, Albania, Great Britain, Iran, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Montenegro, Tunisia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan , Belarus.

The coverage area of ​​the policy can be all foreign countries and Schengen countries, or only Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine.

The minimum period for which you can buy such insurance is 15 days, the maximum is 1 year. A “Green Card” is purchased for specific calendar dates, short-term – directly for the dates of the trip. That is, if the trip is planned for February 1, then you need to take out a policy from this date. Even if you are traveling to Finland for one or two days, you will still be issued a Green Card for a minimum period of 15 days, that is, it will be valid until February 15. On the other hand, if during these two weeks you spontaneously decide to travel again to Finland or to a country participating in the GreenCard System, then you will not need to take out a new policy.

Having a Green Card when crossing the border is a mandatory condition. Otherwise, you will not only have to pay a fine of 200 euros, but also purchase a Finnish MTPL policy (this is at least another 100 euros).

The following insurance companies are accredited to issue policies: Alfa Insurance, Soglasie, Reso-garantiya, Rosgosstrakh, XXI Century, ERGO, Spasskie Vorota.

Some companies that are not part of the Green Card System, for example Ingosstrakh, can issue policies from authorized insurance companies.

Document preparation

Travelers traveling around the countries of old Europe in their own cars claim that issuing an up-to-date document does not take much time. Of course, it will take some time to find the right insurance agency.

It is important to understand that such things are not done at random and in order to protect yourself from unwanted adventures, it is important to inquire in a timely manner about the availability of a state license of an insurance agency.

After the insurer is found, the traveler undertakes to collect all the necessary documents and provide them to a specialist to prepare the necessary document.

This is what a green card for a car looks like for a trip to Finland

Next, the traveler will need to deposit a certain amount of money. This can be done at the bank that cooperates with the insurance agency. Then the traveler is given insurance.

You can calculate how much it costs to issue a policy yourself using a special calculator. This service is available on the official websites of most insurance agencies.

Where to buy

Buying a Finnish Green Card is very simple. A super-busy traveler always has the opportunity to order a document online. In this case, the document will be delivered to the traveler’s home or office.

On the Finnish road

There are many places where a traveler can easily purchase travel insurance. Today there are three main border crossings.

There are also special mobile cars on the road where you can also buy a Green Card.

Detailed road map of Finland

You can also buy the necessary document at roadside establishments and gas stations, but you need to take into account that its cost in this case will be much higher. Plus, roadside shops do not operate around the clock, and if a traveler approaches the Finnish border at night or early in the morning, it will be impossible to make a purchase.

It is not worth buying a policy in minibuses parked along the road. This is explained by:

• stopping near this point can be dangerous due to the heavy traffic on the highway;
• The green card may be issued with significant errors;
• there is a high risk of receiving a fake instead of a current document;
• The card is issued only manually.

It is important to understand that the Green Card must be issued only on a computer. Only an employee of a licensed insurance agency can issue the document. This ensures that the traveler will safely cross the Finnish border and arrive at their destination.

Document cost

All travelers are interested in the question of what determines the cost of a green card. It is important to note three significant factors:

1. Duration of insurance (from fifteen days to twelve months).
2. Vehicle type.
3. Countries in which the Green Card is valid (some policies are valid only in the countries of the former USSR, some are valid almost everywhere).

The approximate cost of obtaining a document for traveling around Finland using your own passenger vehicle is as follows:

1. Fifteen days – 2190 rubles.
2. Thirty days – 4180 rubles.
3. Sixty days – 7760 rubles.
4. Six months – 15920 rubles.
5. Year – 19900 rubles.

Card validity period

The shortest period of validity of a green card is 15 days.

That is, even if a Russian traveler arrives in Finland for a couple of hours, he will still have to pay for the entire 15 days. Finnish legislation does not yet provide for termination of a Green Card.

In this regard, purchasing a 12-month policy seems quite beneficial for someone who regularly visits this country. This option is especially attractive if the number of visits to the country varies from 8 or more.

Documents to be received

To obtain a Green Card, you must contact one of the insurance companies or the Visa Center. The policy is issued on the basis of a foreign passport and a vehicle passport/vehicle registration certificate. Payment for the policy is made on the spot, in a lump sum, in cash or by credit card. Documents that remain in your hands after concluding the contract:

• Green Card Policy;
• Reminder of actions in case of an accident
• Rules
• Payment receipt (or electronic check if payment was made by card)

Registration of a green card (Green Card)

The cost of the Green Card depends on a number of criteria, in particular on the category of the vehicle, zone and validity period of the policy. Tariffs for all participants in the Green Card System in the Russian Federation are the same.

How much does a green card to Finland cost?

The cost of a Green card is regulated by the union of auto insurers and cannot be changed by the insurance company. The cost will be higher if you use a reseller because they charge a commission of 5-10% depending on the company. Also, before paying, check the price of insurance that will correspond to your type of car.

Green card to Finland for 3 days

In 2021, it is not possible to issue a Green Card for 3 days. The minimum policy validity period is 15 days. If there is no insurance when crossing the border, the border guard will issue a fine and offer to take out insurance for 15 days, costing 100 euros.

Cost of a Green Card to Finland for 15 days

Cost of the policy for 15 days*:

• passenger car – 2,450 rubles;
• truck – 4,080 rubles;
• bus – 7,000 rubles;
• motorcycles – 1,220 rubles;
• construction and agricultural equipment – ​​1,490 rubles.

Cost of a Green Card to Finland for a year

Green Card price for 12 months*:

• passenger car – 22,240 rubles;
• truck – 37,120 rubles;
• bus – 103,680 rubles;
• motorcycles – 11,120 rubles;
• construction and agricultural equipment – ​​13,580 rubles.

* tariffs are valid 06/15-07/14/2019

What is the price?

The tariff schedule for the cost of the “Green Card” in accordance with the length of stay in the country and the category of the vehicle.

Cars:

Motorcycles, scooters, mopeds:

Other ways to purchase an insurance policy

The most expensive is purchasing a green card at border checkpoints. There are also special cars that provide these services. At first glance, this is the most convenient and practical option - no need to bother, just go in and buy a card directly at the border.

However, this method most often has obvious risks. Firstly, there is a high probability of filling out the document incorrectly. Secondly, you can become the owner of a fake insurance policy. And thirdly, this is the most expensive way to enter Finland. And finally, it is impossible to buy a pass at night.

Where can I buy

Buying a green card on the way

A “Green Card” can be purchased on the eve of the trip or in advance (but not earlier than 30 days before the policy comes into force) at the office of the insurance company or at the Visa Application Center. But if you don't have enough time for this, that's okay. On the roads leading to all checkpoints in Finland - Brusnichny, Torfyanovka, Svetogorsk, Vyartsilya - you will have the opportunity to buy a policy. In cars and minibuses parked on the side of the road, in roadside cafes, special trailers and at gas stations. The fact that the “Green Card” is being sold in this place will be announced by signs - from handwritten ones on a piece of Whatman paper to electronic displays with a running line.

In order to protect yourself as much as possible from possible complications, it is better to apply for a Green Card not in an open field, but either in the pavilion of a specific insurance company (for example, ERGO), or in a specially equipped insurance department at a gas station.

Pavilions of specific insurance companies

Perhaps the best place to buy a Green Card. Official agents of insurance companies work here who know their business well, will quickly issue a policy and clearly explain how to behave in the event of an insured event.

Small insurance points located in cafes and gas stations

Another good place to buy a Green Card. Firstly, here you can be offered policies from several insurance companies to choose from. Secondly, these “safety points” often operate around the clock.

Minibuses or cars parked by the road

In fact, this is not a very good place to purchase a Green Card. No, they will most likely sell you real insurance. The point is different. Such mobile “offices” most often do not have a computer or a printer. Employees issue policies manually, occasionally making mistakes. If an insured event occurs or even just checking the “Green Card” at the borders, problems may arise because of this.

Important points

Don't forget to check that your first name, last name and vehicle registration number are correct on your insurance. If errors are detected at the border, you will have to pay a fine and buy a Finnish compulsory motor liability insurance policy, just like in the absence of a policy.

Alexandra Storozhuk

Who needs an insurance policy?

We will operate with a concept that is familiar to many car owners. A green card to Finland is an international contract of compulsory automobile and civil liability insurance. In essence, this is the same MTPL insurance, only at an international level.

You can list its positive aspects for a long time, but the most important thing is that you will not become a malicious offender just because the presence of such a document in European countries is mandatory for any car owner. Without an international insurance policy, it is simply impossible to cross the border. A vigilant border service officer will definitely check all documents, including the presence of a green card to Finland. What is it for?

First of all, in case of an accident. This rule should not be ignored. Otherwise, you simply will not be allowed to enter Finland. Then you will have to buy a “green card” directly at the border, which will cost several times more than it could be done in advance. There are cases when the lack of an insurance policy became the reason why a foreigner’s visa was simply denied.