Green card for caravans

[Mel]

You all may already know this, but when travel to Europe is allowed again you will need a green card for your caravan as well as your car. I didn’t know this so mentioning it in case I wasn’t the only one.
mel

 

[Jcloughie]

You all may already know this, but when travel to Europe is allowed again you will need a green card for your caravan as well as your car. I didn’t know this so mentioning it in case I wasn’t the only one.
mel

I think I knew this from years ago. But thank you for the reminder. No idea if we will be going abroad in 2021. Will play that by ear.

John

PS Actually, just checked. And to clarify. The caravan green card will be provided by your car insurer.

 

[otherclive]

This was stated some while back about caravan green card and was said not to be true. Then in Saturdays Times it said a green card for caravan would be required. It actually contributes nothing vas in UK caravans aren’t registered and whilst towing it’s the cars insurance that covers the trailer. Since caravan or trailer insurance isn’t compulsory in this country some may find obtaining a caravan green card quite a challenge. The only thing a caravan green card could cover would be risks to people or objects when pitched.
I’m sure some clarification will be issued by the Clubs. Remember the misinformation regarding the need for kmh stickers on the back?

 

[otherclive]

Reading UKGOV and CMHC it does seem two green cards are required. The UKGOV even mentions some countries may require separate caravan insurance and registration but helpfully doesn’t say which ones.
The CMHC link is below. Already yearning for the halcyon days of pack up and just go ☹️

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overs...elling-after-brexit/driving-in-europe-brexit/

 

[JTQ]

The only thing a caravan green card could cover would be risks to people or objects when pitched.

I think it does not cover that, but proves the towing vehicle has cover for any damage to third parties that arise from "towing", ie like the van side swiping a cyclist.

 

[otherclive]

I think it does not cover that, but proves the towing vehicle has cover for any damage to third parties that arise from "towing", ie like the van side swiping a cyclist.

My car insurance covers me fir third party events including when towing. So what does a seperate caravan green card do for me? Perhaps Continental car insurances do not cover the trailer as a normal part of cover.

 

[JTQ]

So what does a seperate caravan green card do for me?

As said, my thoughts are it proves that your UK insurer is covering the caravan. A french car insurance only covers a trailer up to 750 kgs. For most of us such a limit is not adequate.

See Rule 2 of this link, which indicates the French system.

 

[otherclive]

As said, my thoughts are it proves that your UK insurer is covering the caravan. A french car insurance only covers a trailer up to 750 kgs. For most of us such a limit is not adequate.

See Rule 2 of this link, which indicates the French system.

As I suggested some continental car insurance may not cover the trailer albeit with a 750 kg the French one does. My cover for towing the caravan isn’t on the Certificate of Insurance but defined in the policy for the car. So the second green card now makes sense as it gives an instant read out to anyone requiring to check cover for the trailer/caravan.

 

[Jcloughie]

I don’t know if this is true for all insurers but LV state that they will put your van make and model and vin on the caravan green card. Which, though not necessary over here, could make life simpler if stopped abroad.

John

 

[Woodentop]

It all arises because caravans are independently registered on the continent where ours are not. It looks as though for clarity two green cards may be necessary but both will come from your motor insurer.

 

[Beachball]

i will doubt we will be going to europe next year our season quite full at present so we might be looking at south of france 2022 ( but we will need two green cards from motor insurance )

 

[Lutz]

My car insurance covers me fir third party events including when towing. So what does a seperate caravan green card do for me? Perhaps Continental car insurances do not cover the trailer as a normal part of cover.

The green card provides proof of third party insurance for the caravan. If the car insurance covers that, then the caravan must never be parked on a public road on the Continent without being hitched to the car.
Yes, because caravans are generally registered, taxed and insured as separate vehicles on the Continent, the car insurance will not cover the caravan in such cases. That's why separate proof of insurance for the caravan is required.

 

[Beachball]

i have separate proof of insurance for my caravan and breakdown cover is with RAC (but i make sure i have a green card with me as well) but if we go to south of france looking to go with the caravan club it would be my first time but that would 2022

 

[JTQ]

The green card provides proof of third party insurance for the caravan. If the car insurance covers that, then the caravan must never be parked on a public road on the Continent without being hitched to the car.

That is indeed the case in the UK as I found out when access to my property was blocked by a parked car [more abandoned ]. The police told me I would have to leave my car coupled to the caravan. or find somewhere off the lane to leave it. I could not leave it by itself on the lane.

i have separate proof of insurance for my caravan and breakdown cover is with RAC (but i make sure i have a green card with me as well) but if we go to south of france looking to go with the caravan club it would be my first time but that would 2022

But are you sure that caravan insurance, which I assume is a UK based policy, covers third party liability whilst it is towed?
I suspect not as it is not the normal UK system, here the car insurance has to cover that, hence the need from now on for that second green card whilst travelling outside of the UK.
Simple enough to set up, but just part of the extra hassle "we" have opted for.

 

[Beachball]

That is indeed the case in the UK as I found out when access to my property was blocked by a parked car [more abandoned ]. The police told me I would have to leave my car coupled to the caravan. or find somewhere off the lane to leave it. I could not leave it by itself on the lane.



But are you sure that caravan insurance, which I assume is a UK based policy, covers third party liability whilst it is towed?
I suspect not as it is not the normal UK system, here the car insurance has to cover that, hence the need from now on for that second green card whilst travelling outside of the UK.
Simple enough to set up, but just part of the extra hassle "we" have opted for.

Hi JTQ Well seeing i am not going to Europe still 2022 i have plenty of time to set up two green cards next year i am fully booked in britain

 

[otherclive]

Hi JTQ Well seeing i am not going to Europe still 2022 i have plenty of time to set up two green cards next year i am fully booked in britain

Don’t forget the IDP will be required unless UK and EU agree reciprocity. That requires a visit to a Post Office.............anyone remember those?

When I drove my dads car to go to Interlaken I’d passed my test two weeks before and obtained the IDP from the local AA office. But once in Europe apart from entering Switzerland border checks were very cursory. In fact entering Germany the border staff waved us to go faster through the checkpoint as we were holding up traffic. Only our return to Dover was marred. Everything was pulled out of the car by our meticulous border staff.

 

[ProfJohnL]

That is indeed the case in the UK as I found out when access to my property was blocked by a parked car [more abandoned ]. The police told me I would have to leave my car coupled to the caravan. or find somewhere off the lane to leave it. I could not leave it by itself on the lane.



But are you sure that caravan insurance, which I assume is a UK based policy, covers third party liability whilst it is towed?
I suspect not as it is not the normal UK system, here the car insurance has to cover that, hence the need from now on for that second green card whilst travelling outside of the UK.
Simple enough to set up, but just part of the extra hassle "we" have opted for.

I believe that there is an understanding that if two different policies (i.e car or caravan) that seem to cover the same liability, the insurance companies come to an agreement on how to apportion the liability. But in the UK if a caravan is hitched at the time of any incident, the third party cover is the liability of the car insurance as the combination is considered to be the "vehicle".

 

[JTQ]

Don’t forget the IDP will be required unless UK and EU agree reciprocity. That requires a visit to a Post Office.............anyone remember those?

Well, I certainly remember them as most of my working life involved periods driving in many countries all over the world. Very easily obtained anyway.

But returning to driving in the EU after 1st Jan 2021, the "deal" does not require having one for the great bulk of us with a photo identity UK licence, issued in mainland UK. Paper licenses & those from Channel Island etc, there remains a possibility nearer a probability you will.
Or that is what I read.
LINK

 

[Lutz]

Don’t forget the IDP will be required unless UK and EU agree reciprocity. That requires a visit to a Post Office.............anyone remember those?

My understanding is that so long as a driving licence with a photo, i.e. a card version, there is no requirement for an IDP.

 

[Mel]

My understanding is that so long as a driving licence with a photo, i.e. a card version, there is no requirement for an IDP.

That was also my understanding.
mel

 

[Beachball]

My understanding is that so long as a driving licence with a photo, i.e. a card version, there is no requirement for an IDP.

Like what Lutz and Mel says i am in agreement with them

 

[Raywood]

All UK policies cover any trailer for third part liabilities although some insurers will want you to specify what you tow and while they would still have to deal with a claim for an unspecified trailer they could then look to you to recover their payments.
Under the new system you would have to inform the insurer of any trailer taken abroad and it would issue a second green card for that if required. Caravans will need one and you would need the chassis number which would be shown on the green card.
Most continental countries need the caravan to be registered as well and have the caravans third party cover on the caravan policy. Our system seems more sensible, as if there is an accident there is only the cars insurer involved. If the two halves are covered by different companies the opportunity for disputes between them as to which is responsible is obvious and would inevitably increase costs.

 

[Lutz]

Most continental countries need the caravan to be registered as well and have the caravans third party cover on the caravan policy. Our system seems more sensible, as if there is an accident there is only the cars insurer involved. If the two halves are covered by different companies the opportunity for disputes between them as to which is responsible is obvious and would inevitably increase costs.

I don't see a problem in determining whether the car or the caravan is to blame in case of an accident. It should be relatively easy to establish whether the caravan struck an object or person or the car. If it was the caravan, then third party insurance on the caravan would be liable. Besides, a separate third party insurance on the caravan would cover an accident caused by the caravan when it was unhitched, such as a runaway caravan on a hill where someone forgot to apply the handbrake.

 

[otherclive]

I don't see a problem in determining whether the car or the caravan is to blame in case of an accident. It should be relatively easy to establish whether the caravan struck an object or person or the car. If it was the caravan, then third party insurance on the caravan would be liable. Besides, a separate third party insurance on the caravan would cover an accident caused by the caravan when it was unhitched, such as a runaway caravan on a hill where someone forgot to apply the handbrake.

My caravan insurance covers third party liability when not hitched and a quick look at another insurer also covers third party. I would be very surprised if any UK policies did not include it.

 

[JTQ]

My caravan insurance covers third party liability when not hitched and a quick look at another insurer also covers third party. I would be very surprised if any UK policies did not include it.

Yes, but here we have the problem that as we don't have to have third party caravan insurance, things can go really wrong in the runaway case. Not only potentially life changing for anyone hit, but financially life changing for the owner if covering major injury costs for someones complete lifetime.