Insurers told to send cards before Brexit

THE insurance industry needs to ‘up its Brexit game’ and send Green Cards to motorists before Britain finally quits the EU on October 31, Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond has said.

Drivers going to the North or Britain will need the documents to ensure they are insured driving there, should the UK crash out of the EU without a deal.

But Senator Richmond has called on insurance companies to change tack, and send the Green Cards directly to motorists instead of waiting for them to request them.

A Green Card is an internationally recognised insurance document which provides proof of the minimum compulsory motor insurance cover required by the country visited.

It is a hard copy document which is printed on green paper or with a green background.

‘With just over three months to the Brexit deadline of October 31, it is high time the motor insurance industry stepped up its game on Brexit preparedness,’ Mr Redmond said. ‘If a No-Deal Brexit takes place in October, Irish motorists using Irish-registered vehicles will need a Green Card when they drive in Northern Ireland and the UK.

‘This Green Card will ensure that their motor insurance policy is considered valid when driving out of the jurisdiction.

‘This will of course particularly affect people living in border counties here as they may cross in and out of the North on a number of occasions in any given day.’

But he said was concerned some insurers are not well prepared for the changes.

Insurance Ireland, which represents the industry, said: ‘If there is no Brexit deal between the UK and the EU, insurance companies and insurance brokers will begin providing Green Cards to their policyholders who wish to drive their motor vehicle in Northern Ireland or Britain from when the UK actually leaves, which is scheduled for October 31 at the latest.’