The green card number actually refers to the car insurance contract number. Since April 1, 2024, the physical green card and the green sticker to be placed on the windshield have been abolished in France. The central proof now relies on the Insured Vehicles File (FVA), which can be accessed by law enforcement based on the license plate. However, finding this number remains necessary to report a claim, fill out a mutual agreement, or manage a change of insurer.
Contract number and FVA: what has really changed since April 2024
The abolition of the green card does not mean the disappearance of the contract number. This number is still assigned by the insurer and appears on all contractual documents. What changes is its role during a roadside check: law enforcement queries the FVA via the registration number, without requesting a paper document.
The FVA is not updated in real-time. After subscribing or changing insurers, the insured must be able to present the insured vehicle memo (MVA) provided by their insurer, in digital or printed form.
We observe that this transitional period generates concrete blocking situations, especially during checks on the weekend following a subscription. Keeping the MVA in the glove compartment or on one’s phone remains essential in the days following the subscription.
To quickly find your green card number, the most reliable reflex is to consult the contractual documents provided by the insurer at the time of subscription, rather than searching for a physical document that no longer exists.
Insured vehicle memo: the information that replaces the green card
The MVA has replaced the traditional certificate as the practical document provided to the insured. It should not be confused with a document that is systematically required during a check in France. The MVA is primarily used in the event of an accident or mutual agreement.
This document contains the information that the old green card carried:
- The car insurance contract number, a unique identifier assigned by the insurer at the time of subscription
- The registration of the covered vehicle, which also serves as a query key for the FVA
- The validity period of the coverage and the contact details of the insurance company
- The information about the policyholder (name, address) necessary to fill out a report
Each insurer provides the MVA in a format specific to them. Some send it by email in PDF format, while others make it accessible only through the online customer area. No standardized format is imposed on insurers for the MVA.
Finding your contract number without any paper documents
The majority of insured individuals no longer have a green card on hand, and sometimes no MVA either. Several channels allow for the retrieval of the car insurance contract number without delay.
Insurer’s online customer area
The contract number is systematically displayed on the homepage of the insured area or in the “my contracts” section. This is the fastest channel. We recommend checking that the email address associated with the account is up to date, as the password recovery procedure depends on it.
Information statement and payment schedule
The information statement, a document that the insurer is required to provide upon request, mentions the contract number in the header. The annual premium payment schedule, sent by mail or email, also reproduces it. These two documents serve as contractual proof and are accepted by a new insurer during a transfer.
Call to customer service or agency
By providing the vehicle registration and an ID, customer service can communicate the number over the phone. The time frame varies by insurer, but the information is generally accessible within a few minutes.
Traveling abroad: the green card is still required in some countries
The abolition of the green card only concerns French territory. To travel in several countries outside the European Union, the international car insurance card (formerly “green card”) remains a mandatory document.
Before traveling, it is necessary to check with your insurer if the destination country requires this document. The insurer can issue it in digital or paper form. Countries that are members of the green card system recognize this certificate as valid proof of insurance, and its absence can lead to a refusal of entry or a fine.
The number on this international card corresponds to the insurance contract number. The request should be made in advance, as some insurers charge issuance fees or impose a processing time.
Check your registration in the Insured Vehicles File
The FVA is accessible online using the vehicle’s registration number. This consultation allows you to confirm that the vehicle is indeed registered as insured, but it does not provide the contract number. It only indicates the insured or uninsured status of the vehicle.
This verification is particularly useful after a change of insurer. If the vehicle does not appear in the FVA after a few days, we recommend contacting the insurer immediately to report the anomaly. A vehicle absent from the file exposes its driver to the same penalties as a lack of insurance, even if the contract is indeed active.
The car insurance contract number remains a pivotal piece of information for any administrative procedure or claim. The disappearance of the physical document has not changed its usefulness. Keeping it in an accessible file on your phone, alongside the MVA, avoids most blocking situations encountered after April 2024.
