Accident abroad? This is how the Central Call Centre for Motor Insurers helps with speedy claims settlement
02.06.25
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A car accident abroad is a nightmare for many people. But with the right preparation and knowledge of the Central Contact Point for Motor Insurers Abroad, you can handle the situation with confidence. Find out how this service helps you quickly identify the other party’s insurer and what else you need to bear in mind.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The central call service of motor insurers helps free of charge in identifying the other party’s insurer after an accident abroad (Tel: +49 40 300 330 300).
The Green Card (International Insurance Card) and the European Accident Report are essential documents for driving abroad.
Overseas damage protection insurance can offset financial disadvantages caused by lower compensation standards abroad.
Quick help after an accident: Making the best use of the central call service for motor insurers
An accident, and that abroad too – a situation no one wants to experience. The Central Call Centre of Motor Insurers is a free service that helps you identify the other party’s motor vehicle liability insurance. More than one million calls are received every year, underlining the importance of this service. You can reach the Central Call Centre by phone within Germany on 0800 250 260 0 and from abroad on +49 40 300 330 300 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Alternatively, an online enquiry form is available. For quick processing, which takes only a few minutes in 95 per cent of cases, you need the other party’s registration plate and the date of the claim. In the event of an accident abroad, you must also provide the country of the accident and the country of origin of the other vehicle. The service covers all EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. This is how the Central Call Centre of Motor Insurers Abroad effectively supports you with the claims handling. Knowing about this central point of contact is the first step towards dealing with the situation.
Essential documents for driving abroad: Green Card and European accident report
Good preparation can be decisive in the event of a claim. Two documents should never be missing on any trip abroad within Europe. The International Motor Insurance Card (IVK), better known as the Green Card, serves as proof of your motor vehicle liability insurance. Although it is no longer mandatory in EU countries and some other states such as Norway or Switzerland, as the number plate agreement applies there, it makes processing an accident much easier. However, in countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey or Ukraine, it is still compulsory. The card, which has been white rather than green since 2020, is provided free of charge by your motor vehicle liability insurance provider and is usually valid for three to five years. It is important to print it out, as a digital version is often not sufficient. The second important companion is the European Accident Report. This standardised form makes it easier to record what happened in the accident and helps overcome language barriers, as it is uniformly structured across Europe. It is advisable to always carry at least two copies with you. With these documents, you are better prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Claims settlement abroad: What you need to know
After an accident abroad, the question of claims settlement arises. Within the EU, every insurance company has a claims representative in the other Member States. The competent representative for the other party’s insurer can be determined for you by the central call service for motor insurers abroad. Settlement is then often based on the law of the country where the accident occurred, which can mean that compensation for hire car costs, loss of use or depreciation is lower, or not provided for at all. An foreign claims protection insurance, often available as an add-on to your own motor insurance, can help here by settling the claim as if it had happened in Germany. In the event of accidents outside the EU, or if the other driver is uninsured or leaves the scene, the process can become more complicated. In such cases, the Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V. association may be able to help if no settlement has been made after three months. Also find out about the general terms and conditions for motor insurance so that you know your rights. A precise understanding of the procedures is crucial for a successful settlement.
Behaviour at the scene of an accident: The first steps secure your claims
The first moments after an accident are often hectic. Stay calm and follow these steps: First, secure the accident scene (hazard warning lights, warning triangle, high-visibility vest for all occupants). Provide first aid if needed and call the emergency services (available across Europe on 112). Call the police, especially in the event of personal injury, unclear liability, or if the other driver insists. In some countries, this is mandatory even for minor damage. Do not admit liability , neither verbally nor in writing. Document the scene of the accident and the damage comprehensively with photos from different angles. Note the registration numbers, names and addresses of the drivers and witnesses, as well as the other party’s insurance details (ask to see ID documents and the Green Card). Complete the European Accident Statement carefully together with the other driver. Sign only what you understand. Notify your own insurer of the damage without delay and, if necessary, contact the foreign claims protection. These measures help secure your claims.
You should bear the following points in mind at the scene of the accident:
Secure the accident scene (hazard warning lights, warning triangle, high-visibility vests).
Provide first aid and call emergency services (112) if required.
Involve the police, especially if there are injuries or disputes.
Do not admit fault.
Document the accident in detail (photos, notes, witness statements).
Complete the European Accident Statement together and carefully.
Exchange insurance details with the other driver.
Inform your own insurer promptly.
Responding correctly at the scene of the accident lays the foundation for a smooth claims process.
Expert depth: legal aspects and special cases
In claims handling after an accident abroad, the law of the country where the accident occurred generally applies. This can differ significantly from German compensation law, for example in the amount of pain and suffering compensation or the reimbursement of property damage. The so-called Mallorca policy, often part of your domestic comprehensive insurance or liability insurance, is important if you are travelling abroad in your own car. It raises the often lower cover limits of foreign compulsory insurance policies to German levels, usually for third-party liability claims. For hire car accidents abroad, it is advisable to check the cover limits in advance and, if necessary, take out additional insurance. A special case arises when a vehicle registered in Germany is involved in an accident in Germany with a vehicle insured abroad. In this case, the Deutsches Büro Grüne Karte e.V. (DBGK) is responsible. It handles the settlement on behalf of the foreign insurer under German law. Our expert tip: Before travelling abroad, make sure you clarify the scope of your insurance cover precisely. Comprehensive mobility insurance can take away many worries. Knowing these details can be crucial in an emergency.
Checklist and contact details: Always be well prepared
Good preparation is the key to staying able to act in the event of an accident abroad. Here is a checklist of the most important items you should carry with you and the relevant contact details. Always take with you: driving licence and vehicle registration document, the (white) International Insurance Card (Green Card) – printed out, at least two copies of the European Accident Report, high-visibility vest (one per occupant), warning triangle and first-aid kit. Make a note of important telephone numbers: the central call number of motor insurers from Germany (0800 250 260 0) and from abroad (+49 40 300 330 300), your own insurance hotline (claims notification), and the Europe-wide emergency number 112. Check the validity of your documents before you travel and whether the Green Card is required for your destination country. Find out about specific traffic rules in the destination country to minimise the risk of accidents from the outset. Careful travel preparation, including knowledge of the cost of car insurance with foreign cover, provides reassurance. With these precautions, you are well prepared.
Important preparations and contacts:
Carry a valid driving licence and vehicle registration document.
Carry the International Insurance Card (Green Card) printed out (at least one copy).
Pack the European Accident Report (at least two copies).
Safety equipment: high-visibility vests, warning triangle, first-aid kit.
Save emergency numbers: central call number, your own insurer, emergency number 112.
Check the validity of the documents and whether the Green Card is necessary.
Know the specific traffic rules of the destination country.
Be informed about a Green Insurance Card and its details.
This list will help you ensure you don't forget anything important.
An accident abroad is complex enough. As your digital insurance portal nextsure, we understand that in such moments you need fast and straightforward help. We offer you not only information, but also tailored insurance solutions that go beyond the standard. With our focus on niche products and digitalised processes, we can also offer you the right protection for special risks abroad. Think, for example, of foreign accident cover, which compensates for the difference to lower foreign compensation payments. This means you are financially better protected even in the event of an accident involving a foreign vehicle. Rely on our expertise for your safety when travelling. We help you find the right cover so that you can travel with greater peace of mind abroad. Good protection is worth its weight in gold when it matters most.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
The Central Hotline for Motor Insurers is a central service for identifying the responsible motor third-party liability insurer after an accident in Germany.
At verwaltung.bund.de you will find information on rights and obligations in connection with accidents, including reporting requirements and insurance claims.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides statistics on road deaths in Germany, which offer context for road safety.
The European Parliament provides infographics and statistics on road accidents in the EU, offering a broader European perspective.
The European Consumer Centre Germany (ECC) offers a brochure on car accidents abroad in the EU, covering consumer rights and claims handling.
Haufe provides information on general rules of conduct in the event of accidents in the EU, with a focus on legal aspects.
The German Insurance Association (GDV) provides information on the Green Card (International Insurance Card) for vehicles, relevant for international travel and accidents.
The official website of the German Green Card Bureau e.V. is dedicated to the Green Card system for vehicles.
FAQ
How can I reach the central hotline for motor insurers?
You can contact the central call service by phone from Germany on 0800 250 260 0 (free of charge) and from abroad on +49 40 300 330 300 (Mon-Fri 8 am-8 pm). An online enquiry is also possible.
What information does the central hotline need?
The other party’s registration plate and the date of the accident are required. In the case of accidents abroad, the country of the accident and the country of origin of the other vehicle are also required.
In which countries does the central call service help?
The Zentralruf can identify the other party’s insurer in all EU Member States as well as in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
What is the European Accident Report?
It is a Europe-wide standardised form that helps to document the circumstances of an accident consistently and makes claims handling easier, even in the event of language barriers.
Do I always need to carry the Green Card with me?
In the EU and some other countries (e.g. Switzerland, Norway), it is no longer mandatory, but is recommended for ease of use. In countries such as Turkey, Albania or Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is mandatory.
What does a Mallorca insurance policy cover?
The Mallorca policy is an additional benefit to motor third-party liability insurance that raises the often lower statutory cover limits in European countries to the German level when driving your own car abroad.
