The Charter of Road Traffic Victims’ Rights is an “essential framework” in providing “fair, respectful and effective compensation to those affected by road traffic accidents”. That’s the view of Fundo de Garantia Automóvel (FGA) as they became the latest organisation to officially support the Charter.
Fundo de Garantia Automóvel (FGA), also known as the Motor Guarantee Fund (FGA), is a public body that ensures compensation for bodily injury and property damage resulting from road traffic accidents in Portugal, particularly when the responsible party is unknown or uninsured. Established in 1979 and operational since 1980, it is managed by the Portuguese Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (ASF). Beyond its core compensatory function, the FGA also acts as a Compensation Body for Portuguese residents injured abroad, as an Insolvency Body for cases involving insolvent EU insurers, and as an Information Centre on insurers, claims representatives, and vehicle owners.
The Charter of Road Traffic Victims’ Rights was developed by COB, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Institute for European Traffic Law (IETL). It was inspired by the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and seeks to act as a code of conduct for all those involved in the compensation of road traffic victims.
Speaking about their decision to become an official supporter, Isabel Carrola, Managing Director of FGA said, “Ensuring fair, timely, and transparent compensation for road traffic victims has always been central to the FGA’s mission. We are proud to formally endorse the Charter of Road Traffic Victims’ Rights and to advocate for its principles and ideals. Supporting the Charter is a natural extension of our commitment, reflecting the standards we uphold in both our strategic priorities and day-to-day operations. Through this endorsement, we emphasize the importance of a consistent, victim-centered approach across Europe and reaffirm the vital role of Guarantee Funds, insurers, and compensation bodies in protecting those affected by road traffic accidents.
“We consider the Charter an essential framework that is fully aligned with the FGA’s mandate to provide fair, respectful, and effective compensation to those affected by road traffic accidents. By endorsing the Charter, we simultaneously reinforce our commitment to high standards of care, transparency, and accountability, while promoting harmonization across the sector by encouraging insurers, brokers, national Green Card Bureaus, and Compensation Bodies throughout Europe to adopt these principles consistently,” Ms. Carrola said.
FGA joins other Green Card Bureaux, Compensation Bodies, Guarantee Funds, insurance companies, claims handling offices and brokers from across the Green Card area in officially supporting the Charter. Further information about the Charter of Road Traffic Victims’ Rights, and a translation of the Charter in Portuguese, can be found on https://www.crtvr.org/
