French car insurance group calls for end to green windscreen sticker

A federation of 247 insurance firms is calling for an end to the carte verte insurance document and its tear-off vignette windscreen stamp.

France Assureurs has been in discussions with the government in recent weeks.

It says it is more efficient for police to consult the online Fichier des Véhicules Assurés (FVA) to see if a car is insured, rather than check the vignette and ask a driver for their green insurance document.

These documents are usually sent annually to policy-holders.

The stamp is displayed in a holder in the corner of car and lorry windscreens or stuck to motorbikes and scooters.

Read more: Windscreen insurance stickers could become thing of the past in France

Drivers forget to replace their vignette

France Assureurs said in an open letter to the government: “The fight against non-insured drivers and cars on the roads will be more efficient if it is based on the digital FVA, which has been operational since 2019.”

The FVA allows an officer to check, with a mobile or tablet, the up-to-date insurance details of any vehicle.

The federation says it is much more reliable than using vignettes, which drivers sometimes forget to replace or remove in a timely way.

Drivers face a €35 fine if they do not have the stamp and another €35 fine if they cannot produce the full carte verte.

Savings predicted in printing and postage

The ministries of transport, the economy and interior have held talks with the federation and the Economy Ministry has described them as “productive”, saying they helped to clarify a number of points.

No decision has been taken yet.

However, a France Assureurs spokesman said the trade body is confident the measure, which will mean substantial savings in printing and post fees, would be viewed favourably.

Police complain that technology makes it easy for drivers to falsify a carte verte.

Accidents involving uninsured drivers impact premiums

The number of drivers without insurance has been an increasing concern.

Figures for 2020 show 30,000 people were victims of accidents where a driver involved did not have insurance.

The cost of medical treatment and repairs in 2020 was €106.3 million, a 10% rise since 2015.

Most of it came from a fund that uses obligatory contributions from insurers, which are reflected in policies.

Men under 35 were found to be most likely not to have insurance, and Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne and Bouches-du-Rhone were the departments with the highest number of uninsured drivers.

Related articles

Driving in France: new super-precise speed radars given go-ahead

What can I do about a neighbour blocking my garage in France?

How to contest a driving or speeding fine in France