Loss Reporting Procedure

If the accident occurred due to a fault by the driver of a car with foreign registration plates, the participants are obliged to proceed in the same manner as with a Croatian vehicle, except that the driver of the foreign vehicle must also present a copy of his/her green card. If the driver is not in possession of the green card, make sure to obtain it, as this document will help you identify the relevant insurer. This is a key document in your claim for damage compensation, especially if the foreign participant comes from one of the non-EU countries.

The injured party should submit their claim to the Croatian Insurance Bureau. Because the Bureau does not have its own department for the processing of international damage, this authority has been transferred to insurance companies dealing with compulsory motor third party liability insurance. This means that a claim can be directly submitted to an insurance company, which will then notify you of the further procedure.

If a third party suffers damage caused by an uninsured vehicle, they can submit a claim to the Croatian Insurance Bureau or an insurance company, which will receive the claim and forward it to the Croatian Insurance Bureau for processing. In the majority of cases, the insurance company will deal with the claim independently, with a previously obtained approval from the Croatian Insurance Bureau.

Such damage is compensated from the Guarantee fund [established at the Croatian Insurance Bureau], which is financed by the insurers' funds in proportion with the realised premium in compulsory insurance policies during the previous year. However, the Croatian Insurance Bureau is entitled to a reimbursement of the compensation amount, plus interest and costs from the person responsible for the damage.

If a third party suffers bodily injury [death, personal injury or health damage], caused by an unknown vehicle, a claim should be submitted to the Croatian Insurance Bureau for compensation up to the minimal amount determined for the insurance of passengers [in passenger cars] as prescribed by the government of the Republic of Croatia. Such damage is compensated from the Guarantee fund.

Pursuant to the provisions of the new Road Safety Act, the injured person is entitled to compensation of damage caused by the loss or damage of property, with a retention of HRK 3,750.00 (Article 26 of the Law on Compulsory Insurance) if the Croatian Insurance Bureau compensated damage to any of the participants of a particular traffic accident caused by death or serious personal injuries requiring hospital treatment.

If the vehicle causing damage is later found, and the relevant insurer identified, the Croatian Insurance Bureau is entitled to compensation by the responsible person i.e. insurer, of the paid amount including damage, interest and costs.

In the case of an accident with a motor vehicle belonging to the Croatian Army, you should submit your claim to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia - Department for Admission and Support.

In special cases of accidents with vehicles owned by foreign troupes, which are not subject to compulsory insurance in the Republic of Croatia (collision with a SFOR or IFOR vehicle, etc. ), the process of claim submission and handling is different and regulated by special agreements between the government of the Republic of Croatia and NATO. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not acquainted with the above mentioned agreement and they are not authorised to process such claims. The injured party can contact the Office for Cooperation within the government of the Republic of Croatia. You can obtain basic information on the handling of such claims from your insurance company.