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Protect yourself, your car and others on the road. This guide explains how car insurance works in Norway for expats — what is compulsory, what you need to apply and how to pay less — so you can compare offers with confidence.
Norway has some of the safest roads in Europe, but speeding remains one of the main factors in serious accidents, according to the European Commission's road safety country overview for Norway. Even careful drivers can be involved in an accident, which is why the right insurance matters — especially when you are new to the country.
Understanding car insurance in Norway
Every registered vehicle in Norway must have at least the Basic (Minimum) Liability Car Insurance — Ansvar. It includes the compulsory traffic insurance (Trafikkforsikring) required by the Motor Vehicle Liability Act (Bilansvarsloven). Ansvar covers damage you cause to other people's vehicles, buildings and belongings — typically up to NOK 100 million — and personal injury to other people with no upper limit. It also covers personal injury to you as the driver and to your passengers. What it does not cover is damage to your own car.
Here is what a typical Ansvar policy covers, using Gjensidige Insurance Company as an example:
| Cover | Limit | Deductible (excess) |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury to others | Unlimited | None |
| Damage to others' property | NOK 100 million | None |
| Legal expenses (Rettshjelp) | NOK 100,000 | See policy terms |
| Accident cover for driver and passengers: death / disability | NOK 100,000 / 200,000 | None |
If your car is new, valuable or financed, you will usually want more than the minimum. That is why it pays to compare several insurance providers in Norway before you buy.
Read Also: 5 TIPS FOR FINDING THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN NORWAY
What you need as an expat
Insurers in Norway usually ask for:
- a Norwegian national identity number (Fødselsnummer) or D-number (D-nummer), and an address in Norway,
- the car's registration number (Registreringsnummer) — the car must be registered in Norway,
- details of the main driver, including age and when you got your driving licence (Førerkort),
- your expected annual mileage (Kjørelengde),
- if you have one, a No-Claims Certificate (Skadefrihetsattest) from your previous insurer abroad.
A driving licence from an EU/EEA, UK country is valid in Norway. A licence from outside the EU/EEA, UK can generally be used for up to three months after you settle in Norway, after which you may need to exchange it or take a Norwegian test — check the rules for your country with Statens vegvesen.
Choosing the right cover
Norwegian insurers offer four main levels of car insurance:
- Ansvar — the compulsory minimum and the cheapest option, including the statutory Trafikkforsikring. Covers damage to others and personal injury, but not damage to your own car.
- Delkasko — Ansvar plus fire, theft, glass damage and some events such as storm damage. Often enough for older cars.
- Kasko — also covers damage to your own car, even if the accident is your fault, as well as vandalism. Usually required if the car is financed.
- Superkasko — the broadest cover, often with extras such as a rental car, lower deductibles, cover for engine and gearbox damage (Maskinskade) or battery cover for electric cars.
Check also whether the policy includes Fører- og passasjerulykke — accident insurance for the driver and passengers that pays an extra lump sum after an injury. Some insurers include it automatically — for example If, Storebrand and Gjensidige Insurance Firms build it into their Ansvar policies. With other insurers, such as Tryg, it is sold separately, so check the terms when you compare offers. At Storebrand, compensation for personal injury to the driver or a passenger is:
- death: NOK 100,000,
- permanent disability: up to NOK 200,000,
- children under 18: up to NOK 500,000.
After an accident you can also get help claiming traffic accident compensation.
Read Also: ELECTRIC AND HYBRID CAR INSURANCE IN NORWAY IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE
How to save money on car insurance as an expat
- Bring your no-claims history. In Norway, your Bonus (no-claims discount) can reduce the price significantly. Some insurers accept a certificate from your previous insurer abroad — ask before you sign.
- Choose the right deductible (excess). A higher deductible, also called excess (Egenandel), lowers the premium, but you pay more yourself if something happens.
- State your mileage honestly. A lower annual mileage limit is cheaper, but driving more than agreed can reduce your payout.
- Bundle your policies. Many insurers give a discount if you also insure your house (Husforsikring) or contents (Innboforsikring) with them.
- Keep a clean record. Claims and serious traffic offences raise your premium. Norway's traffic rules are strict and speeding fines are high.
Above all, compare. Prices for the same car and driver can differ a lot between insurers, so get quotes from several companies — for example through localmarket.no — and look at the cover and deductible, not just the price.
Read Also: BUYING A CAR IN NORWAY | WHAT'S GOOD TO KNOW?
Car insurance made easy
Moving to Norway means getting used to many new systems, and car insurance is one of them. Take your time, compare several offers and choose the cover that fits your car and your budget. For further peace of mind, request free quotes through our site.
Read Also: CREDIT CARD IN NORWAY FOR EXPATS: 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
