Motor insurance and the green card

Why this page

Insurance at the border is what causes the most confusion: some think their home policy applies everywhere, others do not know that a policy has to be taken out on the spot.

Below is how this works in our experience. Rules change from time to time, so we always check your specific vehicle and route in advance.

What the green card is

The green card is an international system confirming that a vehicle has third-party liability insurance in the system's member countries.

It covers damage you cause to others - another car, property, people's health. It does not cover your own car.

Georgia and the green card

To our knowledge, the European green card does not automatically apply in Georgia, and a local compulsory policy is issued at the border for a foreign-registered vehicle.

The card lists the countries it covers. If Georgia is not on it, or is crossed out, you cannot rely on it.

So before departure we read your card and confirm the current rule. A surprise at the border is the worst possible start.

Compulsory insurance at the border

The compulsory policy is taken out at the border checkpoint, on entry. The length is chosen according to your stay.

It is issued with the vehicle's documents, and the paper or electronic record confirming the policy must stay with you until the end of the trip.

If your stay is extended, the policy must be extended too. Driving with an expired policy leads to a fine.

What the compulsory policy covers

The compulsory policy covers damage you cause to another vehicle, property or person - within the limit.

It does not cover your car, your health or your passengers' injuries if you are at fault. That needs other insurance.

The limit is sometimes low for a serious incident. That is why many travellers choose extra cover.

Comprehensive cover and own damage

Comprehensive cover protects your own car - accidents, theft, natural events. Home comprehensive cover often applies only in certain countries.

Some insurers offer to extend the territory for an extra charge. That must be sorted out before you leave.

If you are coming in an expensive car, we do not recommend Georgia's mountain roads without comprehensive cover. Stones, potholes and livestock are a real risk.

Documents at the border

The vehicle registration certificate, driving licence, passport and insurance documents. Licences from some countries also need an international driving permit.

Customs records the vehicle as a temporary import. The period of stay is limited, and exceeding it causes problems.

Keep copies of the documents on your phone and on separate paper. At the border it saves time.

A car in someone else's name

If the vehicle belongs to a family member, a company or a leasing firm, you need the owner's power of attorney. Often notarised and translated.

Crossing a border in a leased car needs the leasing company's written permission. Without it you may not be let through.

In such cases we check the documents before departure and, if needed, arrange a translation.

Border crossings

From Turkey people most often enter via Sarpi, from Azerbaijan via the Red Bridge, from Armenia via Sadakhlo. Each has its own rhythm.

In summer and on holidays the queue can last hours, especially at Sarpi. Crossing at night or early in the morning is often quicker.

After the border, the first night is better spent in a nearby town - Batumi, Tbilisi or around Marneuli. Do not start a long drive tired.

Driving on into Turkey

If you are going from Georgia into Turkey, the car needs insurance valid in Turkey. A green card that covers Turkey works in that case.

If the card does not cover Turkey, a policy is taken out on the Turkish side. We check this in advance.

When coming back via Sarpi, check your Georgian policy's validity too, if you are staying in Georgia again.

Driving on into Armenia and Azerbaijan

Armenia and Azerbaijan have their own compulsory insurance, issued at their borders. The Georgian policy does not apply there.

Both countries have their own rules for temporary import of a vehicle. Sometimes this takes an extra procedure and time on the spot.

Three countries in one route is entirely possible, but that means three policies and three borders. We plan it together.

A hire car at the border

Not every hire company lets its cars go abroad. Those that do ask for written permission and an extra fee.

Without permission you will not be let through the border, or the hire insurance will not apply abroad.

Often a transfer to the border and another car on the other side is simpler. We compare both options and tell you which is better.

By motorbike

Motorbike travellers often choose Georgia - mountain roads, passes and relatively light traffic. The insurance rule is the same.

For a rider, insurance for your own injury matters especially - the compulsory policy does not cover it. Motorbikes are often an exclusion in travel policies.

The road to Tusheti or Khevsureti is a serious test for a motorbike. We check the weather and road conditions in advance.

Campervans and caravans

Travelling by campervan in Georgia is possible, but some mountain roads are narrow and steep for a large vehicle. Not every route will work.

Official campsites are few, so people often stop in a guesthouse yard or a hotel car park, with the host's permission.

We check insurance for a large vehicle and its limit separately - damage with a big vehicle is often greater.

An accident in a foreign car

After an accident, 112 first. The police draw up a report at the scene, and that document is essential for both sides' insurance.

If the other side is at fault, the damage is paid from their compulsory insurance. If you are, from your policy.

Meanwhile we translate with the police, help you deal with the insurer and, if needed, connect you with a lawyer.

Repairs and parts

In Georgia there is a mechanic everywhere, and repairs are often quick and cheap. But a part for a rare model may have to come from another country.

If you have comprehensive cover, contact the insurer before repairs - some refuse to pay without their own assessment.

We know reliable garages in Tbilisi and Batumi and, if needed, arrange a tow truck.

Tow trucks and roadside help

Some comprehensive policies and some motoring-club memberships include roadside assistance. In Georgia it does not always apply - check before departure.

If the car breaks down, we arrange a local tow truck. In the mountains that takes time, and at night even more so.

On a mountain route a spare tyre, water and a torch are essential. Petrol stations are far apart on some stretches.

Driving in Georgia

Traffic drives on the right, and the driving style surprises many: overtaking is frequent, the horn is part of communication.

In villages and mountains there is livestock on the road, especially in the evening. We do not recommend driving mountain roads at night.

There are many cameras, and fines apply to foreign-registered cars too. Checking fines is described on a separate page.

Winter roads

In winter, winter tyres are essential in the mountains, and chains on some stretches. The Jvari Pass sometimes closes.

If you arrive on summer tyres, we do not recommend going into the winter mountains. Tyres can be changed locally.

In winter the risk of an accident is higher, and comprehensive cover matters more. We take that into account when planning the route.

Fuel and roads

Petrol and diesel are sold everywhere, and there are many gas stations too. In the mountains stations are rare - fill the tank in town.

There are no toll roads in Georgia. Costs are mainly fuel and parking in the cities.

City parking is paid and divided into zones. The same rule applies to foreign plates.

By electric car

Travelling by electric car in Georgia is possible, but charging stations are mainly in Tbilisi, Batumi and along the main roads. In the mountains they are rare.

We plan the route around chargers and choose overnight stays where you can charge - in a hotel or guesthouse yard.

On steep mountain roads the battery drains quickly, and in winter even more so. Always keep a reserve.

Children in the car

A child seat is compulsory in Georgia, and seat belts for all passengers, in the back too. Cameras and patrols check this.

In an accident a child's injury is covered by the travel policy, but without a belt or seat the payout may be reduced.

If you do not have a child seat with you, we arrange one to hire or buy locally, by age and weight.

Alcohol and your policy

Georgia's drink-driving limit is strict. Comprehensive cover almost never covers an accident under the influence of alcohol.

The compulsory policy may pay the injured party but then recover the money from you. That is the most expensive mistake.

On a wine day, leave the car at the hotel - we have drivers. It is the cheapest insurance there is.

Leaving the car and security

At night leave the car in a guarded car park or a hotel yard. Theft in the city is rare, but do not leave valuables inside.

If you are going into the mountains for a few days and leaving the car, we find a guarded car park in advance.

Some comprehensive policies cover theft only in a guarded car park. Read that condition in advance.

Length of stay

The period a foreign car may stay temporarily in Georgia is limited. If you are staying a long time, find out that period in advance.

Exceeding it is a customs violation and leads to a fine or something more serious. Sometimes the solution is to take the car out and bring it back in.

If you are moving here and want to keep the car, that becomes a customs clearance matter. We describe it on the car purchase and export page.

Talking to your home insurer

Before departure, ask your home insurer three things: what the green card covers, whether comprehensive cover applies in Georgia and what happens to roadside assistance.

Get the answers in writing. A verbal promise means nothing when something happens.

If you like, we read that letter and tell you what else you need.

A group road trip

When several cars travel together, each car needs its own policy. At the border they are issued separately.

For a group we plan the checkpoint and the timing so that everyone crosses together and hours are not lost in the queue.

For overnight stays we look for places where all the cars fit - especially hard in old towns.

Off-road

Off-road enthusiasts often choose Georgia. But many comprehensive policies exclude damage on unpaved roads.

The Tusheti road, Khevsureti and some stretches of Svaneti are serious off-road. Without experience we recommend a local driver.

For an off-road route we check the weather, the road conditions and nearby help in advance.

If there is a problem at the border

If a document is missing at the border or the policy question cannot be resolved, call us. We translate by phone and help work out what is needed.

Sometimes the solution is an electronic copy of a document, sometimes arranging a power of attorney. In the worst case the car stays at the border, and we arrange a transfer on the other side.

To avoid this situation, we check the documents together before departure.

What we need from you

The vehicle type, the country of registration and the owner. Where you are coming from and where you plan to go after Georgia.

A copy of your green card and comprehensive cover, if you have them. The expected length of stay.

And the route in Georgia - especially mountains, off-road and winter roads.

Price

The price of the compulsory policy is set by state rules or the insurer, depending on the length and the type of vehicle.

Our help - checking documents, planning the route and handling an incident - is a separate service agreed in advance.

We add nothing to the policy price. If everything is in order, we tell you so directly.