Who pays compensation when the vehicle was uninsured, unidentified or foreign in Kosovo?

When the Kosovo Insurance Bureau pays

The person you claim from depends on the vehicle that caused the accident. If that vehicle was insured, you claim from its own insurer. Where there is no insurer to claim from, the Kosovo Insurance Bureau (Byroja Kosovare e Sigurimit) may step in through its compensation fund (Fondi i Kompensimit). The Bureau is the national body for the compulsory motor liability system and for the Green Card system.

• An uninsured vehicle (automjeti i pasiguruar) — the at-fault vehicle had no valid motor liability insurance, so the compensation fund can pay.
• An unidentified vehicle (automjeti i paidentifikuar) — a hit-and-run driver who fled and cannot be traced; the fund can cover this too.
• A foreign-registered vehicle (automjeti i regjistruar jashtë vendit) — handled through the Green Card system, which the Bureau administers.

What you generally need

A claim to the compensation fund is built on evidence. Gather and keep everything from the first day, because the fund assesses the claim on the documents you provide.

• The police accident report — this is essential, and especially important for a hit-and-run, where prompt reporting to the police matters.
• Medical documentation — records of your treatment, findings and expert assessments.
• Evidence of your losses — receipts, repair estimates, proof of lost income, and photographs of the scene and vehicles.
• Identification of the vehicle and the driver, where possible, or confirmation that the vehicle was uninsured, unidentified or foreign.

Foreign vehicles and the Green Card

A foreign vehicle entering Kosovo must carry a valid Green Card (Karta e Gjelbër) or border insurance (sigurimi kufitar). When a foreign-registered vehicle is involved in an accident in Kosovo, the Kosovo Insurance Bureau handles the claim through this channel, and it also represents Kosovo insurers abroad.

Claiming from abroad

A member of the diaspora injured in Kosovo, or whose accident involved a foreign vehicle, can pursue a claim through this channel. You do not have to be in Kosovo for every step: a claim can be handled by a representative in Kosovo acting under a notarised power of attorney (autorizim/prokurë). Because the same legal time limits apply, it helps to gather the police report and medical records early. You may consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays if the vehicle that hit me had no insurance?

The Kosovo Insurance Bureau operates a compensation fund for damage caused by uninsured vehicles. When there is no insurer to claim from, the claim is directed to the fund rather than to a specific insurance company.

What if the driver fled and cannot be identified?

The compensation fund also covers accidents caused by unidentified (hit-and-run) vehicles. Report the accident to the police promptly, as the police report is central evidence that an unidentified vehicle was responsible.

A foreign-registered vehicle caused my accident — who handles it?

Foreign vehicles are covered through the Green Card system, which the Kosovo Insurance Bureau administers. A foreign vehicle in Kosovo must have a valid Green Card or border insurance, and the Bureau handles claims for accidents involving such vehicles.

What can I claim from the compensation fund?

The same kinds of damage as in an ordinary claim — material damage such as medical costs, lost income and property damage, and non-material damage such as pain and suffering. Note that the fund’s limits and conditions can differ, so verify them for your case.

Can I claim from abroad?

Yes. A claim can be pursued through a representative in Kosovo acting under a notarised power of attorney, so you do not have to be present for every step. The same legal time limits apply, so it is best not to delay.