Is it OK to rely on an electronically held Insurance Certificate or do the Swiss Police ask for production of a paper copy carried in the car. In the UK the police just verify insurance cover electronically nowadays and do not ask for sight of papers.
I am holidaying in Switzerland in a UK registered car comprehensively covered for driving in Switzerland and EU countries without a green card.
You should have a certificate of insurance, the French police are more likely to ask, the Swiss police probably don't understand the concept of no insurnce as every car with a Swiss no plate is insured. A green card is best & standard 'accessory' in Europe.
Funnily enough the EU law has the same concept & GB is responsible for any UK car in Europe.
[](https://www.englishforum.ch/attachments/insurance/68209d1378217505-car-insurance-certificate-greencard.png)
Source .
I 'm confused. Are you saying because I do not need a green Card ( and I know I don't because I checked before leaving the UK) the Swiss law does not wish me to produce a paper copy of my UK Insurance Policy in the event of being stopped at say a control point?
You don't legally a green card, however if stopped by French plod in a little village a 3.00am you may well find you have a problem. All French cars have a green card attached to the window the window, it's a system they understand.
I have a green card valid for 5 years for each of the 4 vehicles I own in Switzerland, they are issued as standard, though in theory not required.
In most european contries a license plate on a car means insurance coverage. No license plate, no coverage and no coverage, no license plate. If you stop to pay the insurance fee, the insurance will inform the police and they will come and get your plates.
UK is unique in this respect as the plate is permanently attached once for all to the car. Hence, you will find cars in museums with the plate still attached. How the UK manged to get in to club of the blue colored countries with this system is beyond my imagination and understanding.
PS: If you are the Queen you will not need any license plates on your car while in Switzerland.