Motor third-party liability — Romania

What is RCA insurance in Romania and who must have it?

RCA is Romania's compulsory motor third-party liability insurance. Every owner or user of a vehicle subject to registration or circulation authorization in Romania must hold a valid RCA policy before using the vehicle on public roads. RCA covers liability for damage caused to third parties, not damage to your own vehicle.

What are the mandatory minimum coverage limits for RCA in Romania?

Romanian RCA policies must provide at least RON 31,926,210 per event for bodily injury and death, regardless of the number of injured persons, and at least RON 6,434,740 per event for property damage. These limits are statutory and should be the same across all licensed RCA insurers.

What does RCA insurance actually cover?

RCA covers damage caused to third parties by the insured vehicle. This includes bodily injury, death, non-patrimonial or moral damages, and property damage. It also extends to certain related costs, such as court costs incurred by the injured third party, within the overall liability limits.

Are the at-fault driver's own injuries or vehicle damage covered by RCA?

No. Romanian RCA does not cover the at-fault driver's own bodily injury, death, or damage to the at-fault driver's own vehicle. For that type of protection, the driver needs separate voluntary cover such as Casco or personal accident insurance.

Are passengers in the at-fault vehicle covered under RCA?

Yes. Passengers in the at-fault vehicle are treated as injured third parties and are covered for bodily injury or death under the RCA bodily injury liability limits. The exclusion applies to the at-fault driver, not to the passengers.

Is legal defence included in Romanian RCA policies?

Yes, but in a specific sense. Romanian RCA covers court costs and related legal costs incurred by the injured third party within the statutory liability limits. It does not cover fines, criminal penalties, or the at-fault party's own criminal defence costs.

Is the Green Card included with Romanian RCA insurance?

Yes. Romanian RCA policies include Green Card international coverage for the countries shown as valid on the policy or certificate. Territorial scope may differ by vehicle type or insurer wording, but Green Card coverage is a standard part of RCA rather than a separate product.

What should I do after a road accident and how fast must I notify the insurer?

In general, the insured should secure the scene, comply with police and legal reporting obligations, exchange the necessary details, and notify the RCA insurer promptly. Romanian RCA product documents consistently state a 5 working day notification period for the insured after the accident, while the injured third party's compensation rights are not lost merely because the insured notified late.

What is direct settlement in Romania and is it always included?

Direct settlement allows the non-fault injured party to recover eligible vehicle damage from their own insurer first, subject to the legal and contractual conditions of the clause. It is not automatically included in every RCA policy as a mandatory standard feature in all situations and may be unavailable for certain high-risk allocated contracts.

Can I buy RCA online and pay in installments in Romania?

Yes. Romanian RCA is commonly sold online by insurers and intermediaries, and installment payment is widely offered depending on insurer rules and contract duration. Coverage starts according to the policy terms once the contract is concluded and the required initial payment is made.