This is what happens when a Ukrainian car crashes

It is about 2,100 kilometers from Kiev to Zurich by road. When the war broke out in February 2022, many Ukrainians fled by car. Some reached as far as Switzerland.

Cars with Ukrainian license plates prompt Blick readers to ask: Are Ukrainian cars adequately insured in the event of a collision?

Insurance Bureau and Guarantee Fund intervened

Basically, if a motor vehicle with a Ukrainian license plate causes an accident in Switzerland, the National Insurance Agency (NVB) first checks whether the necessary documents – namely a green international insurance card or other border insurance policy – ​​are available. In this case, NVB is liable to cover the damage. Processing is carried out by member and receivable settlement companies. They can then apply to the responsible Ukrainian motor vehicle liability insurer.

If the green card or border insurance policy is missing, the damage is covered by the Swiss National Guarantee Fund (NGF). This should be liable for damage caused by uninsured motor vehicles in Switzerland.

NVB and NGF are funded by contributions from drivers. Liability insurers collect these contributions together with the premium.

Power outages create problems for Ukrainian insurers

Svitlana Shvydka (51) currently lives in Adliswil ZH. She bought her BMW a few weeks ago from Ukraine. “I borrowed money for the car and was afraid it would be damaged in the war,” she explains. In accordance with the rules, she used a green insurance card for 6,613 Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately CHF 169), she. This is valid for one year. Nobody comes from Ukraine without a green card anyway: according to Shvydka, border guards of Poland and Hungary are strict about having a green card.

Shvydka is even more baffled as many in Switzerland wonder if there would be complications in an accident caused by a car with Ukrainian license plates: “The concern is completely unfounded.” In addition, Ukrainian insurance companies still have the ability to pay. “Despite the difficulties, Ukrainian insurers are able to issue international insurance cards and process claims,” ​​said NVB spokesman Daniel Wernli.

Increasing difficulties can be expected due to power and internet blackouts caused by the war. “However, this does not affect compensation payments for Swiss victims, as they are not dependent on advance payments from a Ukrainian insurer, thanks to the NVB and NGF,” says Wernli.

It’s okay to sell cars

“We drive as little as possible and we are very careful on the road because we don’t want any problems and we keep costs low,” says Svitlana Shvydka. He is afraid of expensive Swiss buses. Speeding up to 20 km/h is not a problem in Ukraine. Your vehicle is insured with Arx company, which is located in Ukraine and has offices in Switzerland. So you have done everything possible to operate in accordance with the rules here.

He’s even more unsure that he might soon be forced to sell his car. The conference of the cantonal social directors (SODK) recommended that all war refugees receiving social assistance from Ukraine should do so at the latest after spending one year in Switzerland. In some cases, exceptions may apply.

For Svitlana Shvydka, this is clear: “I will stay until the war is over.” He does not want to sell his car, although he rarely uses it. Because it would take very little money for it. Because he needs a car to bring his stuff home. Because she doesn’t even know how to keep selling. She hopes that she can keep her car longer if necessary and that everyone is aware that Ukrainian road users are not a danger.