New rules for compulsory liability insurance: get ready for digitalisation and instant payments

9.10.2024

As of 1 October 2024, the second phase of Act No. 30/2024 will come into force, bringing major changes to compulsory liability based on the European "motor directive". This regulation will affect every motorist - from ordinary car owners to fleet management companies. The changes go hand in hand with digitalisation and aim to simplify the system and improve safety on our roads. So what should we prepare for?

Immediate validity only after payment

The biggest change is the requirement for immediate payment of premiums when taking out a new policy. Insurers will now require clients to pay immediately when they take out the contract - via a payment gateway or QR code - and only then will the compulsory liability insurance be valid. Taking out insurance is not enough, if the premium is not paid immediately, the contract will not come into force. If payment is not made on time, the contract will lapse and you will have to start the process from the beginning.

End of retrospective changes

Another key new feature is that from 1 October 2024 you will not be able to make retrospective changes to your insurance. The process of managing vehicles will be significantly digitised and all insurance-related tasks will be done online. The system will link insurers to the vehicle registry, meaning that if insurance data is not updated in time, it will not be possible to register the vehicle. This could mean that your car cannot be legally driven.

The end of green cards

The next step towards digitalisation is to replace physical green cards with an electronic system. No more paper documents! Insurance details will be available online and the police and other controlling authorities will be able to check whether you have valid insurance just by looking at the registration plate. This system works in a similar way to electronic vignettes - everything will be recorded immediately after payment.

What not to forget?

Vehicle owners and operators should be prepared to adapt to the new rules. The key is to pay premiums on time and keep all details up to date. Digitising the system will not only speed up processes but also increase transparency and efficiency of controls. Law 30/2024 and the Motor Directive bring many new things to the world of compulsory liability insurance, but the main objective is safety and efficiency. Be prepared for the changes and keep your insurance in order, so that no inspection surprises you!