If you have recently arrived in Portugal, taking out car insurance may raise questions about documents, vehicle registration, your driving licence and your claims history. Having this information ready before you get a quote helps you to compare equivalent offers and avoids making decisions based solely on price.
Get a quote for your car insurance with CJ Seguros
- Comparison of quotes from various insurance companies
- Checking the driver’s and vehicle’s documents
- Checking that the car’s cover is suitable for its intended use
- Free, no-obligation simulation
What documents might you need to provide when taking out insurance?
The insurance company may ask you for your ID, tax number, driving licence, vehicle registration document, registration number and usual address. If your car was imported or still has foreign number plates, additional details may be required. The exact list depends on your circumstances, the vehicle and each insurer’s underwriting rules.
When should you practise driving before driving in Portugal?
You should take particular care when preparing a quote if you have moved to Portugal, brought a car from abroad, bought your first car here, or have a driving record issued by an insurer in another country.
What we look at before presenting you with proposals
Registration and vehicle details
We check whether the vehicle is registered in Portugal, whether it is in the process of being imported, or whether there are any issues that need to be clarified before taking out the policy. The insurance must reflect the actual use and condition of the car.
Claims history in the country of origin
Ask your previous insurer for a statement showing your claims history for the last five years. This document may help with the risk assessment, although its impact on the price and the terms of cover will depend on the individual insurer.
Coverage and typical uses
We check whether the car is used on a daily basis, only at weekends, or also for business purposes. We then compare third-party liability cover, breakdown cover, passenger cover, glass breakage cover, theft cover, fire cover and own damage cover.
The benefits of comparing options before signing up
Proposals assessed using the same criteria
We compare premiums, excesses, exclusions and limits. Two policies with similar prices may offer very different levels of cover.
A clear explanation in Portuguese or English
See also the page on Car Insurance to find out about the main types of cover available.
Is insurance more expensive if you’re a foreign driver?
The price of your insurance does not depend solely on your nationality. The insurer takes into account factors such as your age, driving experience, claims history, vehicle, place of residence, annual mileage, how you use the vehicle, and the cover you have chosen. The lack of a recognised driving record may affect your quote, so it’s worth providing any documentation you have.
Situations where you should carry out a more thorough analysis
Imported car
Keep your vehicle’s registration, documentation and value up to date. Also check when your previous cover ends and when your new policy starts.
Driving licence issued abroad
The validity of your licence and whether you need to renew it depend on the country that issued it and your personal circumstances. You should check this with the relevant authorities, separately from taking out insurance.
Using a car in various countries
This indicates where your car is usually driven and confirms the geographical scope of your policy. Optional cover, such as theft or own damage, may be subject to different conditions outside Portugal.
Why choose CJ Seguros?
- Comparison of various insurance companies;
- Assistance with document analysis;
- Explanation of cover and exclusions;
- Support in the event of a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions about car insurance for foreign nationals
Can I use my claims history from another country?
You can submit the statement issued by your previous insurer. Within the European Union, you are entitled to request a record of claims made over the last five years. You should check with each insurer to confirm how this history affects your quote.
Can I keep my home country’s insurance indefinitely?
It depends on your place of residence, the vehicle’s registration, your current policy and the applicable rules. Let your insurer know about the move to another country and check when you need to register and insure your car in Portugal.
Get in touch with CJ Seguros before taking out a policy. We’ll review the available documents and compare solutions that are right for your situation.
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