Zurich Insurance Europe AG, Branch in Portugal

Territorial scope

Compulsory (plus optional) liability applies throughout the EU/EEA member states, Switzerland, Croatia, Faroe Islands, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, San Marino, Vatican City and Andorra, and other states whose national insurers' bureau adheres to the Agreement between national insurers' bureaux; own-damage and other facultative covers are generally limited to Mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores unless stated otherwise.

Green card rules

The Green Card (or, for vehicles habitually parked in Portugal, the provisional certificate/payment receipt/civil liability certificate) is the proof of insurance; where only automatic provisional certificates are issued, the policyholder may request the Green Card, issued within 5 business days at no extra cost.

Driver restrictions

Cover generally excludes claims where the vehicle is driven by a person not legally licensed to drive, by a driver refusing alcohol/drug testing or fleeing the scene, or by a driver under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances, subject to the specific derogation for supervised learner-driving (Special Condition 047) where legal requirements are met.

Claim notification deadline

Claims must be reported in writing to Zurich as soon as possible and never later than 8 days from the date of the event or from the date the policyholder/insured became aware of it, under penalty of liability for aggravated damages.

Bonus-malus rules

Premiums for liability and own-damage related covers are adjusted annually under Zurich's bonus/malus scale according to claims history; new contracts start at level 0 unless prior claims history is evidenced via the tarification certificate or the National Registry of Number Plates, and bonus accrual may be suspended for up to two years while a claim reserve remains open.

Capital extension for third-party liability

Optional extension of compulsory third-party liability coverage up to 50 million euros

Family member liability extension

Optional extension of third-party liability coverage to damages caused to family members or partners

Legal support in litigation

Coverage providing legal support in criminal or civil proceedings arising from traffic accidents and third-party claims

Electric vehicle specific provisions

For electric/hybrid vehicles, full battery discharge preventing the vehicle from moving under its own power is treated as a breakdown ('avaria'), with towing to the nearest charging point; the general exclusion for electrical installation damage is expressly derogated for electrical components of the EV drivetrain under several own-damage covers.

Bonus/Malus system

Premium adjustment system based on claims history - reductions for claim-free years, increases for claims with losses

Compulsory minimum coverage limits

Statutory minimum liability coverage as required by Portuguese law (minimum of €6,450,000 for bodily injury and €1,300,000 for material damages as of June 1, 2022)

Recourse rights against policyholder

Zurich reserves the right to pursue recovery against the policyholder or legitimate holder in specific circumstances (e.g., unauthorized driving, violation of safety requirements)

IDS Convention adherence

Zurich adheres to the IDS (Direct Compensation to Insured) convention and CIDS special condition for rapid settlement of material-damage-only accidents

Adherence to inter-insurer claims settlement codes/conventions

Zurich informs policyholders of its adherence to codes of conduct, conventions or agreements between insurers aimed at ensuring faster claims settlement procedures.

Vehicle scope covered

The product name and scope cover both light passenger vehicles (ligeiros de passageiros) and light commercial vehicles (comerciais), generally up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight, as reflected throughout the assistance and own-damage tables.