Compulsory car insurance in Moldova: what do drivers need to know?

Ukrainians who drive on Moldovan roads or are just planning a trip to the country in their own car should research the rules for drivers in advance. Find out what car insurance is mandatory in Moldova and whether Ukrainians need to take out a local policy

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Car insurance in Moldova is mandatory for all vehicles travelling on the country's roads. This means that before you get behind the wheel in Moldova, you must have a valid insurance policy.

For more information about car insurance in Moldova, what determines its cost, and whether Ukrainians need to take out Moldovan motor insurance, read on.

Car insurance in Moldova

Car insurance in Moldova is mandatory for all vehicles that are registered or temporarily located in the country.

MTPL in Moldova

The most common type of such insurance is MTPL (mandatory third-party liability insurance for vehicle owners). This type of insurance covers damage caused to the health and property of third parties in the event of a traffic accident. An MTPL policy in Moldova is completely identical to Ukrainian motor insurance.

The cost of a MTPL policy depends on various factors, such as the make and model of the car, engine size, driving experience and the region where the car is registered.

The payment limits under a motor third-party liability insurance policy in Moldova determine the maximum amount that the insurance company is obliged to pay to the victim in the event of a road traffic accident. These limits are set by law and may change periodically. Currently, the following limits are in force in the country (based on Law No. 106/2022, as amended on 08.02.2024):

– €100,000 – for material damage, regardless of the number of victims;

– €100,000 per victim / €500,000 per accident – for bodily injury or death;

– €5,000 per victim / €10,000 per accident – for moral damage;

Important! Payments are made in Moldovan lei at the NBM exchange rate on the day of the accident.

According to the Code of Offences of the Republic of Moldova (Article 229(3)), the absence of an MTPL policy on cars registered in Moldova is subject to administrative liability in the form of a fine ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 lei.

What insurance events does MTPL cover in Moldova?

According to current Moldovan legislation, the losses in an accident that must be compensated by the insurer include:

– losses incurred while driving a vehicle (including the detachment of trailers and semi-trailers);

– damage caused both while the vehicle was in motion and when it was stationary;

– damage resulting from the use of additional equipment;

– damage caused to a person getting out of or into the vehicle;

– damage caused by falling materials or leakage of substances transported by the vehicle.

What expenses are covered by MTPL compensation in Moldova?

MTPL compensation primarily covers the victim's legal expenses. These include storage and technical expertise costs, transport costs, and funds for implementing measures to limit damage.

Cases subject to compensation also include:

– expenses incurred by the victim or the insured during civil proceedings (only those related to the insured event);

– expenses for technical expertise at the request of the victim or on the basis of a court decision;

– expenses aimed at reducing damage;

– expenses for transporting the car (to a place of storage, parking or repair).

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Mini Hull insurance in Moldova

A Mini Hull insurance policy in Moldova is voluntary car insurance that provides much broader protection for your car than compulsory motor third-party liability insurance. While MTPL covers damage caused to third parties, Mini Hull insurance protects your car from various risks.

The price of a Mini Hull insurance policy in Moldova is determined by many factors. Each insurance company may have its own system for calculating the cost, but in general, the price depends on the following criteria: car make and model, year of manufacture, car value, engine size, equipment, etc.

Do Ukrainians need to take out local car insurance in Moldova?

Taking out MTPL insurance is mandatory for Ukrainians who have re-registered their car and obtained Moldovan number plates or purchased a new car in Moldova.

However, drivers who continue to legally drive on Moldovan roads with Ukrainian number plates are not required to take out local motor insurance. In turn, drivers of such cars are required to have a valid Green Card insurance policy.

Do Ukrainians need a Green Card in Moldova?

If you have travelled from Ukraine in your own car, you know that this policy is mandatory for crossing the border. However, it also remains valid in Moldova. The main thing is to keep track of the policy's validity period and renew it in a timely manner.

If you have a valid Green Card insurance policy, you do not need to take out additional Moldovan insurance. Remember that the Green Card is valid not only in Moldova and Ukraine, but also in countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, so you will be under reliable insurance protection even when travelling to other countries.

How to buy a Green Card online?

You can purchase a Green Card for a car registered in Ukraine both abroad and in Ukraine. However, insurance will be much more expensive abroad.

Therefore, it is better to buy insurance online, as it is quick and easy. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can take out a Green Card policy from a licensed insurer. The calculator allows you to calculate the exact price of the policy individually for your vehicle. Packages are available for various terms from 15 days to 1 year for passenger cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

Reminder! To travel from Ukraine to Moldova in your own car, you need to prepare and familiarise yourself with the rules. For more information about border crossing rules, required documents, convenient routes, traffic rules in Moldova and other important details, follow the link.

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