New insurance laws for Europe
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REGULATIONS have been laid before Parliament to extend the EEC arrangements for motor vehicle insurance to five non-EEC countries in Europe, Austria, Finland, Norway. Sweden and Switzerland. The regulations, which come into force on May 27, will exempt vehicles from these countries from checks on their insurance documents — green cards — at UK ports of entry. Evidence of insurance will be acceptable from a document other than the green card or a British motor insurance certificate.
Drivers of British vehicles will enjoy reciprocal arrangements in these five countries as well as in the nine Cornmunity countries. British motor policies have now been extended to cover vehicles in all 14 countries so that they meet the national laws on motor insurance. Drivers should nevertheless continue to carry either a green card or their British insurance certificate when travelling abroad because, although they will not be subjected to routine checks, they may be required to produce them..
Consult insurers
In any event, operators will find it advisable to consult their insurers before the regulations come into effect to ensure that they have adequate coverage if they require more than is necessary by national laws. Details of the regulations are contained in The Motor Vehicles (Third Party Risks) (Amendment) Regulations 1974, SI No 792; and The Motor 'Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations 1974, SI No 791.