No vehicle may travel on Italian roads without being covered by third party liability insurance. It is obligatory for a vehicle owner to take out insurance against personal injury and material damage caused by their vehicle. This guarantee covers all the passengers in the vehicle including members of family.

All European countries (and some others) are signatories to the Green Card System (International Motor Insurance Certificate). The Green Card or the insurance certificate issued by the insurer constitute a proof of third party insurance. An insurance policy may optionally be extended to include insurance against fire, theft, special assistance and more.

Italian residents with a car registered on Italian plates may choose any company licensed to legally sell insurance in Italy, regardless of whether it is an Italian, EU or non-EU company. Every three months, a list of the companies authorised to operate in Italy is published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana. 

The Italian insurance system operates on a no-claims bonus (sistema bonus or malus). In order to benefit, it is necessary to provide evidence of no prior claims; however it can reduce the cost of insurance significantly.

In the event of an accident anywhere in Europe all that needs to be done is to notify the insurer of the accident. The insurer will contact the national motor vehicle insurance bureau, which will see to formalities between the two insurance companies and the injured party.

Under EU community law, drivers are entitled to compensation from the motor vehicle guarantee fund of the member state where the accident occurred, if the accident is caused by an uninsured vehicle. 

In Italy, the Independent Management of the Guarantee Fund for Road Accident Victims (CONSAP Gestione Autonoma del Fondo di Garanzia per le Vittime della Strada) pays compensation or injury for damage caused by vehicles if:

• the accident is caused by un unidentified vehicle
• the vehicle is uninsured
• the vehicle is insured by a company in liquidation

Further Information

• ANIA (Associazione Nazionale fra le Imprese di Assicurazione) National Insurer's Association
  At: Via della Frezza 70, 00186 Rome
  Tel : 06 326881
  Fax: 06 3227135
  Website
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Driving in Italy

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