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THEY HAVE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP THE ‘CARTE VERTE’ SCHEME SAYING IT WILL BE EASIER AND CHEAPER FOR POLICE TO CHECK FOR UNINSURED DRIVERS ON AN EXISTING ONLINE DATABASE A federation of
247 insurance firms is calling for an end to the _carte verte_ insurance document and its tear-off _vignette_ windscreen stamp. France Assureurs has been in discussions with the government
in recent weeks. It says it is more efficient for police to consult the online Fichier des Véhicules Assurés (FVA) to see if a car is insured, rather than check the _vignette_ and ask a
driver for their green insurance document. These documents are usually sent annually to policy-holders. The stamp is displayed in a holder in the corner of car and lorry windscreens or stuck
to motorbikes and scooters. READ MORE: WINDSCREEN INSURANCE STICKERS COULD BECOME THING OF THE PAST IN FRANCE DRIVERS FORGET TO REPLACE THEIR _VIGNETTE_ France Assureurs said in an open
letter to the government: “The fight against non-insured drivers and cars on the roads will be more efficient if it is based on the digital FVA, which has been operational since 2019.” The
FVA allows an officer to check, with a mobile or tablet, the up-to-date insurance details of any vehicle. The federation says it is much more reliable than using _vignettes_, which drivers
sometimes forget to replace or remove in a timely way. Drivers face a €35 fine if they do not have the stamp and another €35 fine if they cannot produce the full _carte verte_. SAVINGS
PREDICTED IN PRINTING AND POSTAGE The ministries of transport, the economy and interior have held talks with the federation and the Economy Ministry has described them as “productive”,
saying they helped to clarify a number of points. No decision has been taken yet. However, a France Assureurs spokesman said the trade body is confident the measure, which will mean
substantial savings in printing and post fees, would be viewed favourably. Police complain that technology makes it easy for drivers to falsify a carte verte. ACCIDENTS INVOLVING UNINSURED
DRIVERS IMPACT PREMIUMS The number of drivers without insurance has been an increasing concern. Figures for 2020 show 30,000 people were victims of accidents where a driver involved did not
have insurance. The cost of medical treatment and repairs in 2020 was €106.3 million, a 10% rise since 2015. Most of it came from a fund that uses obligatory contributions from insurers,
which are reflected in policies. Men under 35 were found to be most likely not to have insurance, and Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne and Bouches-du-Rhone were the departments with the
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