Auto or motorcycle insurance while traveling

Auto or motorcycle insurance while traveling

Policyholders who go on a trip abroad with their car or motorcycle must absolutely bring their driving license and their "green card". This is indeed essential when traveling, because it proves that the insured has taken out compulsory liability insurance. This will allow its insurer to compensate anyone who is the victim of an accident it causes abroad.

Civil liability insured by a French car or motorcycle contract is automatically valid - and without additional premium - in any country of the European Economic Area (i.e. the countries of the European Union as well as the Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) as well as Andorra, Croatia and Switzerland. As for other guarantees (mechanical breakdown, theft or attempted theft, etc.), it all depends on what the contract provides.

Likewise, check the geographical extent of these guarantees: on the front of the green card is the list of countries it covers (below the identification of the vehicle and the insured). If some countries are crossed out, it is because the insurance contract taken out does not cover any losses that may occur there. In this case, there are two possibilities:

    Take out a temporary guarantee extension (for a fee);
    Do not take out anything but take responsibility for any repairs and compensation in the event of an accident during the trip.

In any case, before leaving, a phone call to the insurer is always advisable to check all these questions.
Insure a quad

Quad, is the abbreviation for "motor quadricycle". Only approved models can be used on public roads. Without this homologation, a quad can only drive on private land.
Approved quads

As with any motor vehicle, the regulations apply: before driving on public roads, you must be properly insured. The guarantees are the same as for all vehicles. Liability is compulsory, then the owner of the quad has the choice between theft insurance, fire insurance, up to comprehensive insurance.

On public roads, wearing a helmet is compulsory, for the driver as well as for his possible passenger. It should also be noted that the transport of passengers is only authorized on a seat attached to the vehicle and different from that of the driver.
What driving license for a quad?

The license requirements are roughly the same as for two-wheelers. From the age of 16, with the Road Safety Certificate (BSR), you can drive a "light motor quadricycle", that is to say any machine less than 50 cm3 or having a power of less than 4 kW, with a speed limited by construction to 45 km / h, an unladen weight of less than 350 kg and a payload of 200 kg.

The "heavy motor quadricycle" is more than 50 cm3, but its power is less than 5 kW; its empty weight is 550 kg. To drive it, you must be over 16 years old and hold a B1 license (motor quadricycle) or an equivalent A1 (light motorcycle), A (motorcycle license) or B (car license) license.
The unapproved quad

An unapproved quad can only be driven on private roads or specific grounds. In the event of an accident, the driver's liability comes into play: before taking charge, the insurer will examine the circumstances and apply the clauses and deductibles provided for in the contract.

If you drive on public roads with an unapproved quad, not only are you not insured for this, but you risk a fine of € 1,500 to € 3,000 and the confiscation of your vehicle. And if the accident is serious, you could face a prison sentence of six months to two years.