The last thing you need on a well-deserved holiday is a car accident. This is all the more true when you have to deal with the challenges of an accident abroad.
However, if you are well prepared in advance, you can still enjoy your holiday even after a crash. In this guide, we explain which telephone numbers and documents are important for you and how best to behave in the event of an accident abroad.
- In an emergency, pack the most important telephone numbers, the green card and a European Accident report in various languages.
- Find out whether, as a motor vehicle driver abroad, you are entitled to an additional Car insurance need.
- After an accident abroad, the rules are similar to those in Germany: stay calm, secure the accident site, help injured persons, inform the emergency services, fill in the accident report and report the damage for settlement.
- We have summarised everything you need to know about the most popular holiday destinations here.
Which telephone numbers are important in the event of an accident abroad?
In the event of a motor vehicle accident abroad, the following telephone numbers are particularly important for you:
- Telephone number of the Rescue service112 (applies in other European countries as well as in Germany)
- Telephone number of the Car insurance for the vehicle you are using or the number of the car hire company
- Telephone number from fairforce.one: +49 (0)800 30 111 60
- Telephone number of your Contact person
It is best to make a note of these numbers before your journey and put them in your glove compartment. We recommend that you create an "Emergency numbers" contact in your smartphone. This is simple and practical and saves you searching and dialling time if the worst comes to the worst.
Good to knowWe can find out for you which car insurance company the other party in the accident has. This is particularly important for the subsequent claims settlement, as it enables you to claim compensation from the other party's insurance company. After an accident, make a note of the other party's licence plate number and leave the subsequent paperwork to us.
Accident victims like you get the best support from fairforce.one.
Have your accident reported now free of charge and without obligation by our regulation specialists.
What documents do I need in the event of an accident abroad?
In addition to the numbers just mentioned, some documents are also important in the event of a road accident abroad.
The Green card (International Insurance Card) is proof of your motor vehicle liability insurance. It is not mandatory in many countries, but can make claims processing easier. It is still mandatory in some non-EU countries. In the course of digitalisation, digital proof of the Green Card has also been sufficient since 1 January 2025.
Another important document is the European accident report. This template can be used to describe the course of the accident. The form helps to ensure that all important accident-related data is recorded. Thanks to the multilingual explanations of the fields and the tabular structure, the data can also be recorded in a foreign country.
Our tipThe European Accident Report is available in numerous languages so that both parties involved in the accident can complete the form in their native language. You should therefore put three printed forms in your car before you start your journey: one in German, one in English and one in the official language of your holiday destination.
Road accident abroad: What to do?
If you have an accident abroad, you should follow a few basic rules that do not deviate too much from the general rules in Germany. This checklist will help you:- Stay calm.
- First secure the accident site. To do this, you should first switch on the hazard warning lights, put on the high-visibility waistcoat and set up the warning triangle. NoteThe obligation to wear a high-visibility waistcoat varies from one European country to another. It is therefore essential that you find out about the applicable regulations in the country you are travelling to before setting off.
- Then take a look around to see if anyone has been injured or if there is only body damage.
- Provide first aid to injured persons and contact the police and emergency services by dialling 112 in the EU. NoteYou should always contact the police if people are injured or the damage to property is extensive. The same applies if the other party in the accident is in disagreement or has committed a hit-and-run.
- Make sure you stay with the injured person until the emergency services have arrived and give the emergency services a detailed description of the scene and what has happened.
- Look around for witnesses and make a note of their names and addresses.
- It is best to fill out the European Accident Report together with the other party involved in the accident. Photos of the damage and the accident scene can also be very helpful later on.
- Call the free help number +49 0800 - 30 111 60* from fairforce.one and receive concrete help with correct reporting and settlement of the claim
Who pays in the event of an accident abroad?
In principle, the person who caused the damage must also pay for the damage.
If you cause an accident, your German motor vehicle liability insurance is generally also valid in other European countries. However, this insurance may not be sufficient for accidents outside the EU and you may need additional insurance. You should definitely check this before travelling!
If you are not at fault for the traffic accident, the other party's liability insurance must pay for the motor vehicle damage abroad. If you have suffered damage, you have a claim against the person who caused the accident and their insurance company.
The respective national law applies when settling claims after an accident. It is therefore quite possible that accident settlement may differ considerably from the usual procedure in Germany. We have put together all the information you need on the 5 most popular countries for us Germans to travel to.
The traffic law experts at fairforce.one will be happy to give you a free initial assessment of whether you are entitled to your dream hire car.
What do Germans need to consider when travelling to their favourite countries?
Note: If you have had a car accident abroad, you can simply give us a call. As independent specialists, we will be happy to help you and save you a lot of paperwork.
Spain
Police: The police will not come if the damage is minor, but you should call the police if there is major damage or a discrepancy. call, tel. no.: 112
Emergency services: 061
Applicable law for claims for damages: Spanish law
Green cardNo obligation
Will be refunded:
- Towing costsFor vehicles that are no longer roadworthy to the nearest garage against invoice.
- Repair costson presentation of the receipt. Caution: German expert reports or cost estimates are not recognised and a fictitious settlement is not possible. There are considerable discounts for repairs in Germany.
- Total lossA total loss is deemed to exist if the repair costs (according to Spanish rates) exceed the replacement value (according to the Spanish price structure). A Spanish expert opinion is required. The difference between the replacement value less the residual value is reimbursed.
Will not be refunded:
- Car hire costs
- Compensation for loss of use
- Reduction in value (there are exceptions for legal proceedings)
- Appraisal costs
- Out-of-court legal fees or legal fees in the event of a lost court case
- Accident-related ancillary costs
- Lost holiday enjoyment
- and the general expense allowance
Italy
Police: The police will not come if the damage is minor, but you should call the police if there is major damage or a discrepancy. call, tel. no.: 112
Emergency services: 118
Applicable law for claims for damages: Italian law
Green cardNo obligation
Will be refunded:
- Towing costsFor vehicles that are no longer roadworthy to the nearest garage against invoice.
- Repair costsagainst presentation of the repair invoice. In the case of material damage from approx. € 1,000, an expert opinion is often also required
- Total loss: the current value of the vehicle as evidenced by an expert opinion less the residual value applies
- Car hire costs: Only if it is needed professionally, but with deductions
- Loss of useAccording to daily flat rate up to approx. 30€ for a maximum of 10 days
- Appraisal costsonly if this is required by court order
- Impairmentonly for severely damaged vehicles that are less than one year old
- Legal feesThe legal costs must be partially borne by the injured party (except in the case of legal expenses insurance).
Will not be refunded:
- Lost holiday enjoyment
- General flat-rate expenses
Austria
Police: The police will not come if the damage is minor, but you should call the police if there is major damage or a discrepancy. call, tel. no.: 133
Emergency services: 112
Applicable law for claims for damagesAustrian law
Green cardNo obligation
Will be refunded:
- Towing costsFor vehicles that are no longer roadworthy to the nearest garage against invoice.
- Repair costsagainst presentation of a workshop invoice or an expert's report, in the case of minor damage also by means of a cost estimate, fictitious settlement possible
- Total lossis the current value of the vehicle as proven by an expert opinion less the residual value
- Car hire costsalso for private use of the vehicle during the repair period up to a maximum of three weeks. 10 to 15 % personal savings deduction.
- Appraisal costsThe insurance premiums are reimbursed if the damage has not been inspected by the Austrian insurance company. Note: This inspection should be made possible in advance
- Postal and telephone chargesonly with proof
- Legal feesare mostly adopted
Will not be refunded:
- Compensation for loss of use
- loss of holiday enjoyment (unless there is demonstrable material damage)
Croatia
Police: The police will not come if the damage is minor, but you should call the police if there is major damage or a discrepancy. call, tel. no.: 192, Tip: Have an accident confirmation (Potvrda) issued
Emergency services: 194 Emergency doctor / 193 Fire brigade
Applicable law for claims for damages: Croatian law
Green cardNo obligation
Will be refunded:
- Towing costsFor vehicles that are no longer roadworthy to the nearest garage against invoice.
- Repair costsThe full invoice for a repair in Germany will only be reimbursed if there is agreement with the damage description on the police accident report (Potvrda) or if there is agreement with the damage estimate of a local insurance company. In minor cases, a cost estimate is sufficient.
- Total lossis the current value of the vehicle as proven by an expert opinion less the residual value
- Car hire costsOnly if it is needed professionally, for the technically necessary repair period or until replacement, but with deductions from 20% due to personal savings
- Appraisal costsonly if the damage cannot be proven otherwise or the opposing insurance company demands an expert opinion
- ImpairmentOnly low height for severely damaged, newer vehicles with low mileage
- Legal feesExtrajudicial legal costs are only rarely reimbursed and only if they are indisputably necessary. Legal costs only in the event of a victory.
Will not be refunded:
- Compensation for loss of use
- General flat-rate expenses
- lost holiday enjoyment
France
Police: The police will not come if the damage is minor, but you should call the police if there is major damage or a discrepancy. call, tel. no.: 17
Emergency services: 15
Applicable law for claims for damagesFrench law
Green cardNo obligation
Will be refunded:
- Towing costsFor vehicles that are no longer roadworthy to the nearest garage against invoice.
- Repair costsagainst presentation of the repair invoice. In the case of material damage from approx. € 1,000, an expert opinion is often also required. Cost estimate is only sufficient for minor damage
- Total lossis the current value of the vehicle as proven by an expert report less the residual value. There are often discounts in German expert reports
- Car hire costsThe following are reimbursed for the duration of the repair if it can be proven that the vehicle is absolutely necessary for work. The mere journey to work is not sufficient; 25 to 35% deduction due to saved own costs.
- Compensation for loss of useDaily flat rate from €10 to €20 up to a maximum of 10 days in the event of a total loss
- Appraisal costsare only sometimes reimbursed
- Legal feesonly a lump sum for legal costs if you win
is regularly not reimbursed:
- Impairment
- General flat-rate expenses
- lost holiday enjoyment
- Legal fees
- Accident-related ancillary costs
The right steps for fair claims settlement
Have you been involved in an accident through no fault of your own? Then play it safe and contact us directly:
- Our competent team of experts will discuss the right next steps with you.
- If required, we can organise an expert to come to your home. He will prepare the important independent expert opinion
- Your full claims are calculated by specialised teams of lawyers using our software
- Your optimised claims are asserted with the insurance companies liable to pay benefits and paid out for you
- If required, our network of tested, reliable specialist workshops and replacement vehicles will support you
- You will be kept up to date on all regulatory progress via our innovative HIS (customer information system).
We cannot undo your accident abroad. But we will make the best of it for you, we promise!
Frequently asked questions about accidents abroad
What should I do first after a car accident abroad?
Secure the scene of the accident, help the injured and 112 Notify the emergency services/police. Then secure evidence (photos, witnesses) and exchange data.
Which documents are particularly important in the event of an accident abroad?
The European Accident Report is ideal because it is multilingual and asks for all the important information. A "green card" (proof of insurance, also available as a digital PDF) can also make the process easier.
Who pays for the damage in the event of a road accident abroad?
In principle, the party responsible for the accident or their motor vehicle liability pays - the law of the country in which the accident occurred usually applies. As a result, the amount of the claim and reimbursement practice may differ from Germany.
Do I have to call the police in the event of a fender bender abroad?
Not always - in some countries, the police often don't come if the damage is minor. However, you should definitely call them if there are injuries, extensive damage, a dispute, suspected alcohol consumption or a hit-and-run.
