ERGO
ERGO is a motor third-party liability insurance for the EE market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
ERGO does not apply a deductible (omavastutus) to MTPL claims; the insurer pays compensation to the injured party without deducting any excess from the policyholder. Subrogation (tagasinõue) may be applied against the at-fault party in cases defined by law (e.g. intentional damage, drink-driving, fleeing the scene).
Geographic scope
EEA + Switzerland + Green Card countries
Valid in all EEA member states and Switzerland without separate agreement; valid in third countries only if listed on the policy or Green Card.
Unique selling points
- Free 24/7 pan-European towing (ERGO Liiklus+) is included with every MTPL policy at no extra charge — ERGO claims to be the only insurer in Estonia offering this as a standard inclusion.
- 10% online discount when purchasing or renewing MTPL through ERGO e-office (ekontor.ergo.ee), with instalment payments available at no extra cost.
- Most vehicle motor claims resolved within 1 working week, with online claims submission available at any time.
- Since 2015, ERGO policyholders who are accident victims can handle all claims directly with ERGO regardless of which insurer covered the at-fault party.
- Flexible optional add-ons (Põdrakasko up to EUR 6,000, driver accident insurance up to EUR 20,000 disability/EUR 10,000 death, legal expenses, replacement vehicle, ERGO Autoabi) allow the policy to be tailored to individual needs with no mandatory bundling.
Coverage limits
Bodily injury liability
Covered
Covers third-party bodily injury caused by the insured vehicle. The statutory coverage limit per insured event in Estonia is EUR 6,450,000.
Property damage liability
Covered
Covers third-party property damage caused by the insured vehicle. The statutory coverage limit per insured event in Estonia is EUR 1,300,000.
Vehicle legal expenses insurance
Optional
Optional add-on covering legal costs arising from disputes related to the insured vehicle, including disputes over defects in newly purchased vehicles (if taken out within 7 days of acquisition), litigation over accidents, and contractual or property law disputes. Legal advice available by calling ERGO legal helpline at 660 4900. Coverage limit is stated on the policy.
Green Card (international motor insurance certificate)
Covered
The Green Card is an internationally recognised certificate proving valid MTPL insurance coverage outside Estonia and EEA/Switzerland. It is issued free of charge by ERGO upon policyholder request and is valid from the day following the request until the end of the policy period. It is required for travel to countries outside the EEA that participate in the Green Card system (e.g. Albania, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Morocco, Tunisia). The standard MTPL policy covers all EEA member states and Switzerland without a Green Card.
ERGO Liiklus+ (free 24/7 towing assistance included with MTPL)
Covered
Free 24/7 towing service included with all ERGO MTPL policies for passenger cars (M1, M1G), small vans (N1, N1G), and motorcycles (L3, L4, L5) throughout Europe in the event of an MTPL insured event. The vehicle is towed to the nearest repair shop or storage location. Service is free for both the at-fault party and the victim. Must be requested via ERGO Autoabi at +372 655 5401. Note: ERGO Autoabi (covering breakdowns, flat tyres, fuel delivery, lockouts, etc.) is a separate optional paid add-on available only for annual contracts on normally-used passenger cars and vans.
Driver accident insurance (Sõidukijuhi õnnetusjuhtumikindlustus)
Optional
Optional add-on paying compensation if the driver suffers permanent disability (up to EUR 20,000) or death (EUR 10,000) as a result of a traffic accident. The coverage sum is the maximum payout for all insured events during the policy period. Only available for annually contracted policies on vehicles in normal use. Permanent disability assessed by ERGO medical expert one year after the accident (or earlier if the injury is confirmed permanent). Death benefit payable if the driver dies within 3 years of the accident.
Passenger accident insurance
Excluded
Passenger accident insurance is not offered as part of ERGO's MTPL product. Passengers injured in an accident caused by the at-fault party's vehicle are compensated through the standard MTPL bodily injury liability coverage. There is no separate optional add-on for passenger accident benefit within the ERGO MTPL product range.
Key conditions
territorial_scope
ERGO MTPL insurance is valid in all EEA member states and Switzerland automatically, without any separate agreement. Coverage also extends to third countries participating in the Green Card system when a Green Card (issued free of charge on request) is presented. Coverage in a third country applies only if that country is listed on the policy or on the Green Card. The applicable law for claims is that of the country where the accident occurred.
green_card_rules
The Green Card (roheline kaart) is a document certifying MTPL coverage validity beyond Estonia and the EEA/Switzerland. It is issued free of charge by ERGO upon policyholder request and becomes valid from the day following the request until the end of the policy period. It is mandatory for travel to non-EEA Green Card system member countries such as Albania, Andorra, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Croatia, Israel, Iran, Morocco, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia. EU/EEA member state travellers are advised to carry the Green Card as a practical proof of insurance even though it is not legally required.
driver_restrictions
There are no named-driver restrictions under Estonian MTPL law; any person lawfully driving the insured vehicle is covered as the at-fault party's insurer. However, the insurer has the right to seek subrogation (tagasinõue) against the driver or policyholder in cases defined by law, including: driving under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or psychotropic substances; intentional causing of the insured event; leaving the scene of the accident unlawfully; driving without a valid licence for the vehicle category; or driving a vehicle whose possession was unlawful. Additional coverages (Põdrakasko, driver accident insurance, ERGO Autoabi) may be denied if the vehicle was used for prohibited purposes (taxi, courier, ride-sharing, short-term rental, driving instruction, alarm vehicle) or if the driver committed certain violations (e.g. exceeding speed limit by 41 km/h or more, ignoring a stop signal from a traffic officer).
claim_notification_deadline
The policyholder must notify ERGO of an insured event immediately (viivitamata) and follow the insurer's instructions. The at-fault party must notify their insurer within 5 working days of the accident, submit a written statement and make the vehicle available for inspection. The insurer must inspect a damaged vehicle within 7 days of notification of the accident. The damaged vehicle and property must be preserved in their post-accident condition for at least 7 days after notification (or up to 15 days if the insurer requests in writing). The insurer must make a compensation decision as soon as sufficient information is available, but no later than 30 days after the claim is submitted.
bonus_malus_rules
The MTPL premium is calculated based on a risk group (riskigrupp) system established by Estonian law (regulation on policyholder risk group calculation). Risk groups range from 040 to 300, with a first-time policyholder assigned group 120 by default. The risk group is determined annually based on the policyholder's claims history (paid claims) and active insurance days for the specific vehicle during the reference period (from 1 October of the year before last to 30 September of the preceding year), using data from the Estonian Motor Insurance Fund (LKF) database. In addition to the statutory risk group, each insurer may apply its own additional pricing factors. A 10% online discount is available when purchasing through ERGO e-office (ekontor.ergo.ee). Foreign claims history can be taken into account if a claims certificate from the respective national registry is provided.
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Moose collision coverage (Põdrakasko)
Optional additional coverage providing compensation up to EUR 6,000 for damage caused by collision with large wild animals (moose, bear, lynx, wild boar, deer, etc.)
Driver accident insurance
Optional additional coverage providing compensation if the driver suffers permanent disability or death as a result of a traffic accident
Vehicle legal expenses insurance
Optional additional coverage covering legal costs arising from disputes related to the insured vehicle, including disputes over defects in newly purchased vehicles and litigation over accidents
Replacement vehicle coverage
Optional additional coverage providing compensation for reasonable costs of using a replacement vehicle after an insured event when the insured vehicle cannot be used
Contract term flexibility
MTPL insurance can be contracted for periods ranging from one day to one year, with automatically renewable annual contracts (JAH-leping) and non-renewable contracts (EI-leping) available
Vehicle eligibility restrictions
Additional coverages (lisakaitsed) available only for motor vehicles in normal use (categories M1, M1G, N1, N1G); vehicles used for taxi, courier, short-term rental, instruction, or ride-sharing services are excluded
Free towing assistance (Liiklus+)
Mandatory free 24/7 towing service included in all MTPL policies for passenger cars (M1, M1G), small vans (N1, N1G), and motorcycles (L3, L4, L5) in case of accidents or mechanical failures throughout Europe
Coverage territory
ERGO Motor MTPL insurance is valid in Estonia, European Economic Area member states, Switzerland, and countries covered by the Green Card system when a Green Card is obtained
Early termination policy
Policyholders can terminate MTPL contracts with mutual consent at any time without administrative fees or contractual penalties; automatic renewal period is 14 days before policy expiry for annual contracts