Liechtenstein
NGF Liechtenstein
The Swiss National Guarantee Fund fulfils the tasks of the National Guarantee Fund of the Principality of Liechtenstein (art. 1 of the exchange of notes dated 3 November 2003). The National Guarantee Fund of Liechtenstein is subject to supervision by the Financial Market Authority of the government of Liechtenstein (FMA), who also approves the amount of each Liechtenstein car holder’s annual contribution.
between Switzerland and Liechtenstein on coverage of road traffic accidents
Liechtenstein’s compensation body
The member states of the EU/EEA are obliged to establish compensation bodies (Directive 2009/103/EC). They grant cover for losses to victims in the event that regular claims settlement processes after an accident abroad fail. After set time limits, the compensation bodies settle claims if claims representatives are missing or in default or if persons responsible for accidents or insurers cannot be identified.
Liechtenstein implements this requirement in art. 75c-d of the Liechtenstein Road Traffic Act SVG-FL.
Amount of deductible in Liechtenstein
In the case of liability for material damage caused by unknown motor vehicles, trailers, unknown cyclists or users of vehicle-like equipment, a deductible of EUR 500 or the equivalent in Swiss francs applies (art. 53 par. 3 VVV-FL). In Switzerland, this deductible is CHF 1000.
NBI Liechtenstein
The Swiss National Bureau of Insurance fulfils the tasks of the National Bureau of Insurance of the Principality of Liechtenstein, NBI-FL (art. 1 of the exchange of notes dated 3 November 2003 between Switzerland and Liechtenstein). The NBI-FL is subject to supervision by the Financial Market Authority of the government of Liechtenstein, who also approves the amount of each Liechtenstein car holder’s annual contribution.
between Switzerland and Liechtenstein on coverage of road traffic accidents
Liechtenstein within the Green Card System
Within the framework of the systems of the International Motor Insurance Card (formerly Green Card) and of the registration plates convention (Multilateral Agreement), Switzerland and Liechtenstein are considered as a single territory. The country code CH covers Switzerland as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein.
A valid International Motor Insurance Card (formerly Green Card) issued by a Swiss or Liechtenstein insurer for a vehicle registered within Switzerland or Liechtenstein guarantees third party liability insurance cover in countries belonging to the Green Card system. However, the country must be listed on the Insurance Card and the corresponding country code must not be crossed out. Likewise, a Swiss or Liechtenstein registration number confirms sufficient third party liability insurance cover in countries belonging to the system of the registration plates convention.
Thus, the Swiss National Bureau of Insurance guarantees insurance cover for damages caused by vehicles from Switzerland and Liechtenstein in countries belonging to:
- the Green Card system
- the system of the registration plates convention.
Protection of visitors in Liechtenstein
Insurance companies active in the EEA are obliged to nominate claims representatives (CRs) in each of the member states (Codified Directive 2009/103/EC). Victims of an accident abroad can thus file a claim in their country of residence via the CR of the relevant foreign liability insurer. The CR processes the claim, usually according to the law of the country where the accident took place, as representative of the foreign insurer that nominated it.
Liechtenstein implements this directive in art. 75b of the Liechtenstein Road Traffic Act (SVG-FL).
Liechtenstein’s information centre
The member states of the EU/EEA are obliged to establish information centres. They provide road traffic victims with information concerning the relevant third party liability insurance companies and their claims representatives. If necessary, names and addresses of vehicle owners of persons responsible for accidents are disclosed.
Liechtenstein implements this requirement in art. 75a of the Liechtenstein Road Traffic Act SVG-FL (cf. art. 50d of the Liechtenstein Road Traffic Insurance Ordinance VVV-FL).
Minimum amounts of coverage in Liechtenstein
The member states of the EU/EEA are obliged to prescribe minimum amounts of coverage in cases of personal injury and damage to property (art. 9 of the directive 2009/103/EC dated 16. September 2009, the so-called codified MID). Every five years, the minimum amounts are reviewed in line with the European Index of Consumer Prices (EICP). The following amounts are valid in Liechtenstein since 31.12.2016:
- Minimum amount of coverage in case of personal injury: EUR 1.22 million per victim or EUR 6.07 million per claim, whatever the number of victims.
- Minimum amount of coverage in case of damage to property: EUR 1.22 million per claim.
Liechtenstein implements this requirement in art. 3 of the Liechtenstein Road Traffic Insurance Ordinance VVV-FL.