The International Motor Insurance Certificate (IMIC) or Green Card: When, Where and How to Use It?

The International Motor Insurance Certificate (IMIC) or Green Card is a document that provides support in the event of an incident during your travels in certain foreign countries. This is a mandatory third-party liability insurance that confirms that your vehicle has a valid insurance.

Countries where it is required:

When can you be asked for the International Motor Insurance Certificate?

We refer to those situations where you might need this certificate. For example, you are driving on a Moroccan road when, suddenly a traffic accident occurs. At that moment, the authorities are likely to ask you for your International Motor Insurance Certificate. This document ensures that you are covered by an appropriate insurance policy and helps facilitate communication with local authorities.

In addition to accidents, there are other circumstances in which the certificate may be required. For example, at frontier checkpoints and even in some countries, authorities may request the certificate to verify compliance with traffic and road safety laws.

How to obtain the International Motor Insurance Certificate?

It is important to know how to obtain it and keep it up to date. First, contact your car insurance company and request the certificate. They are not obliged to provide it. Make sure you do this in advance as it may take time to process it and send it by email.

When you receive the certificate, check that all the information is correct and up-to-date. This includes vehicle data, coverage period and any other relevant information. If something is incorrect, contact your insurance company to correct it before your trip.

You should print a physical copy, even if you receive it digitally, as some countries still require it to be printed (a fully digital format will be mandatory in all countries by 2025).

Please note that the International Motor Insurance Certificate has an expiration date, so it is important to check if granted a long time ago. If you plan to make multiple trips abroad, it is advisable to check the countries where it is valid (stated on the IMIC or Green Card) or, as we said, the expiration date of the certificate to avoid last minute issues.

If your IMIC does not cover all the foreign countries of your trip, or if your insurer does not provide it, you will need a Frontier Insurance Policy.

In summary, the International Motor Insurance Certificate (or its alternative, Frontier Insurance) is essential for travellers with vehicles, motorcycles or any other vehicle when venturing outside the European Economic Area (EEA), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Certificate supports you in traffic accidents, police checks and other situations where authorities might request it. Be sure to get it in advance, verify the details and renew it before it expires.

So, before embarking on your next trip to Morocco or any other country where you need it, make sure you carry the International Motor Insurance Certificate (IMIC) or Green Card with you.