Accident abroad? Here's how the Central Call of Motor Insurers assists in quick claims processing
2 Jun 2025
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A car accident abroad is a nightmare for many. However, with the right preparation and knowledge about the Central Call of Foreign Car Insurers, you can handle the situation with confidence. Learn how this service helps you quickly identify the opposing insurance company and what else you need to keep in mind.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The central call service for car insurers provides free assistance in identifying the opposing insurance company after an accident abroad (Tel: +49 40 300 330 300).
The Green Card (International Motor Insurance Card) and the European Accident Report are essential documents for driving abroad.
Foreign damage protection insurance can offset financial disadvantages caused by lower compensation standards abroad.
Quick assistance after an accident: Making the most of the Central Call of the car insurers
An accident, and abroad at that – a situation nobody wants to experience. The Central Call of Motor Insurers is a free service that helps you identify the opposing motor liability insurance. Annually, over a million calls are received, highlighting the significance of this facility. You can reach the Central Call by phone within Germany at 0800 250 260 0 and from abroad at +49 40 300 330 300 (Monday to Friday from eight to 20). Alternatively, an online inquiry form is available. For prompt processing, which takes just a few minutes in 95 percent of cases, you need the license plate number of the opposing party and the date of the accident. In the case of an accident abroad, the accident country and the home country of the opposing vehicle must also be provided. The service covers all EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Thus, the Central Call of Motor Insurers effectively supports you in international claims processing. Knowing this central contact point is the first step in managing the situation.
Essential documents for travel abroad: Green Card and European Accident Report
Good preparation can be crucial in the event of damage. Two documents should be present on any trip abroad in Europe. The International Motor Insurance Card (IMIC), better known as the Green Card, serves as proof of your vehicle liability insurance. Although it is no longer mandatory in EU countries and some other states like Norway or Switzerland due to the licence plate agreement, it significantly simplifies the handling of an accident. In countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, or Ukraine, it is still required. The card, which has been white rather than green since 2020, is available free of charge from your motor vehicle liability insurance provider and is usually valid for three to five years. It's important to print it out, as a digital version is often not sufficient. The second important companion is the European Accident Report. This standardized form facilitates recording the accident occurrence and helps overcome language barriers, as it is standardized throughout Europe. It is advisable to always have at least two copies with you. With these documents, you are better prepared for any eventuality.
Claims handling abroad: What you need to know
After an accident abroad, the question of claims settlement arises. Within the EU, each insurance company has a claims representative in the other member states. The Central Call of Foreign Motor Insurers can determine the responsible representative for the opposing insurance for you. Settlement often occurs according to the law of the country where the accident happened, which can mean that compensation for rental car costs, loss of use, or depreciation may be lower or not provided at all. A foreign claims protection insurance, often available as an addition to your own car insurance, can help by settling the claim as if it happened in Germany. In accidents outside the EU, or if the opposing party is uninsured or commits a hit-and-run, the settlement process can become more complicated. In such cases, the organisation Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V. may be able to assist if no settlement has been made after three months. Please also inform yourself about the General Conditions for Car Insurance to know your rights. Detailed knowledge of the processes is crucial for a successful settlement.
Behaviour at the Accident Scene: 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 site (hazard lights, warning triangle, high-visibility vest for all occupants). Provide first aid if necessary and contact emergency services (Europe-wide on 112). Call the police, especially in cases of personal injury, unclear liability, or if the other party insists. In some countries, this is required even for minor damage. Do not admit liability, either verbally or in writing. Document the accident scene and damage comprehensively with photos from various angles. Note the number plates, names and addresses of drivers and witnesses, as well as the insurance details of the other party involved (ask to see identification documents and the Green Card). Carefully fill out the European Accident Statement together with the other party. Sign only what you understand. Report the damage to your own insurance without delay and if necessary, contact the Foreign Claims Protection. These measures help to secure your claims.
The following points should be noted at the scene of the accident:
Secure the accident site (hazard lights, warning triangle, high-visibility vests).
Provide first aid and call emergency (112) if required.
Involve the police, especially if there are injuries or disputes.
Do not make any admission of guilt.
Document the accident in detail (photos, notes, witness statements).
Carefully fill out the European Accident Statement together.
Exchange insurance details with the other party.
Inform your own insurance promptly.
The correct reaction at the accident site lays the foundation for a smooth resolution.
Expert Depth: Legal Aspects and Special Cases
When it comes to handling claims after an accident abroad, the law of the country where the accident occurred generally applies. This can show significant differences to German compensation law, for instance, in the level of compensation for pain and suffering or the replacement of material damages. The so-called Mallorca policy, often part of domestic comprehensive insurance or liability insurance, is important when you are travelling abroad with your own car. It raises the often lower coverage amounts of foreign compulsory insurances to the German level, mostly for liability claims. For rental car accidents abroad, it is advisable to check coverage amounts 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 the country with a vehicle insured abroad. Here, the Deutsches Büro Grüne Karte e.V. (DBGK) is responsible. It handles the settlement on behalf of the foreign insurance according to German law. Our expert tip: Clarify the extent of your insurance coverage precisely before travelling abroad. Comprehensive mobility insurance can alleviate many worries. Knowing these details can be crucial in an emergency.
Checklist and Contact Details: Always Be Well Prepared
Good preparation is key to remaining able to act in the event of an accident abroad. Here's a checklist of the most important things you should have with you and the relevant contact information. Always carry: driving licence and vehicle registration certificate, the (white) International Insurance Card (Green Card) – printed out, at least two copies of the European accident report, high-visibility vest (one per passenger), warning triangle, and first aid kit. Note down important phone numbers: Central Call for Motor Insurers from Germany (0800 250 260 0) and from abroad (+49 40 300 330 300), your own insurance hotline (claims reporting), and the European emergency number 112. Check the validity of your documents before travelling and whether the Green Card is required for your destination country. Familiarise yourself with the specific traffic regulations in the destination country to minimise the risk of accidents from the outset. Thorough travel preparation, including knowledge of the costs of car insurance with international cover, provides security. With these precautions, you are well-prepared.
Important preparations and contacts:
Carry a valid driving licence and vehicle registration certificate.
Have the International Insurance Card (Green Card) printed (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, own insurance, emergency number 112.
Check the validity of documents and the necessity of the Green Card.
Be aware of specific traffic regulations of the destination country.
Be informed about the details of a Green Insurance Card.
This list helps you remember everything important.
nextsure: Your partner for comprehensive protection abroad
An accident abroad is complex enough. As your digital insurance portal nextsure, we understand that you need quick and uncomplicated assistance in such moments. We not only offer you information but also tailor-made insurance solutions that go beyond the standard. With our focus on niche products and digitised processes, we can also provide you with the right protection for specific risks abroad. For example, consider foreign claims protection that compensates for the difference in lower foreign compensation payments. This way, even in the event of an accident with a foreign vehicle, you are financially better protected. Rely on our expertise for your safety while travelling. We help you find the right protection so that you can travel more worry-free, even abroad. Good insurance is worth its weight in gold when it counts.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
The Central Call of Motor Insurers is a central service facility for determining the responsible motor liability insurance after an accident in Germany.
On verwaltung.bund.de you will find information about rights and obligations related to accidents, including reporting obligations and insurance claims.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides statistics on road fatalities in Germany, offering context for road safety.
The European Parliament provides infographics and statistics on traffic accidents in the EU, offering a broader European perspective.
The European Consumer Centre Germany (EVZ) offers a brochure on car accidents abroad in the EU, covering consumer rights and claims processing.
Haufe provides information on generally applicable behavioural rules for accidents in the EU, with a focus on legal aspects.
The German Insurance Association (GDV) offers information about the Green Card (International Motor 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 system of the Green Card for vehicles.
FAQ
How do I contact the central call service for car insurers?
You can reach the central office by phone from Germany at 0800 250 260 0 (free of charge) and from abroad at +49 40 300 330 300 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm). An online inquiry is also possible.
What information does the central call require?
You need the license plate of the other party and the date of the damage. For accidents abroad, additionally the country of the accident and the country of origin of the opposing vehicle.
In which countries does the central call help?
The Central Call can identify the opposing insurance company in all EU countries as well as in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
What is the European Accident Report?
It is a standardized form across Europe that helps to document an accident uniformly and facilitates claims settlement, even in cases 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 it is recommended for simplification. In countries like Turkey, Albania, or Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is required.
What does a Mallorca policy cover?
The Mallorca Policy is an additional feature to vehicle liability insurance that raises the often lower statutory coverage sums in European countries to the German level when travelling with your own car abroad.
