Combining insurance and registration processes

Combining insurance and registration processes – What does it mean?

Combining insurance and registration processes means that you can complete both processes at the same time using a single electronic system. Taking out statutory motor insurance is a prerequisite for vehicle registration. As insurance and registration processes require nearly identical information, they will be offered in a single electronic system to make vehicle registration quicker, easier and less expensive.

You can also register your vehicle in electronic Traficom services but, in this case, you need to have taken out motor insurance in advance.

After the combination, the process is now wholly electronic and paper-free. No paper registration certificate is needed. Instead, the registration process uses a secure electronic certificate which can be generated in Traficom's electronic services. Read more about the use of the certificate here.

However, regardless of the transition to an electronic registration process, you can still register your vehicle by visiting an insurance company, car dealership or inspection station which offers registration services.

Can I complete the insurance and registration process in any insurance company?

Yes, you can.

Why was this change made and what does it cost?

Taking out motor insurance is a prerequisite for vehicle registration. As insurance and registration processes require nearly identical information, combining them into a single process makes it easier to fulfil all obligations related to the change of vehicle ownership.

The price of the self-service registration is lower than that of a personal visit. In addition, this change reduces the costs incurred by society.

As no paper registration certificate is required, the process produces savings and is friendly to the environment.

Selling and buying a vehicle

What do I do if I buy a car from a dealership and trade in my old car to the dealership?

Generate a certificate for your old car in Traficom's electronic service. Sign a deed of sale on the vehicles with the dealership. Then, you can hand over the certificate you created to the dealership. After this, you should complete a notification of transfer at Traficom.fi.

I always buy my car from a dealership which takes care of insurance and registration processes for me. What do I do from now on?

You can do as you have done before. Dealerships continue to complete the required insurance and registration processes. For consumers, combining insurance and registration processes mostly affects trading between private individuals, and has no significant impact on transactions with dealerships.

When I sell my car, how can I make sure that my obligations towards the vehicle cease to be in effect?

Once you have sold your car, complete a notification of transfer using your insurance company's electronic service or the electronic services offered at Traficom.fi. To complete the notification, you need the buyer's personal identity number or business ID. If you do not know what the buyer's personal identity number or business ID is but you do not the buyer's name and address, you can prepare the notification of transfer at your insurance company's branch office or at an inspection station. Your obligations will automatically cease to be in effect after the new owner registers the change of ownership.

By preparing a notification of transfer, you can also make sure that the correct transfer date is entered in the vehicle register.

Using electronic services

Can I insure and register my vehicle on my own using electronic services? Where can I do this?

Yes, you can. You can both insure and register your vehicle using electronic services of insurance companies. At Traficom.fi, you can complete the electronic registration process if you have taken out motor insurance in advance.

I do not have any online banking IDs. Can I complete the electronic process without them?

Yes, you can. The Traficom website and most insurance companies also use other identification methods. In addition to online banking identifiers, mobile identification is a strong identification method.

To create a certificate on the Traficom website, you need online banking or mobile identifiers.

To register the change of ownership, you can identify which identification methods your insurance company uses. You can complete the registration process through electronic services in most insurance companies.

How can I take out motor insurance if my insurance company's electronic services are unavailable?

You can still take out motor insurance by visiting your insurance company or an inspection station.

Certificate

What is a certificate and why do I need it?

A certificate is a six-digit code which can be generated using the electronic services offered at Traficom.fi. The certificate remains valid for 14 days after it has been generated. If this time elapses, you can generate a new certificate.

The certificate is needed when the registered owner of a vehicle is selling or transferring the vehicle to a new owner. The seller hands over the certificate to the buyer who presents it during registration. Be aware that the buyer has to take out the new motor liability insurance policy within seven days even though the electronic certificate for registering is valid for 14 days from its creation.

You can use the certificate to complete the registration process at all registration outlets and in your insurance company's electronic service.

Read more about the properties and use of the certificate on the Traficom website.

I do not have a certificate. How can I insure and register my vehicle?

Request a new certificate or part II of the registration certificate from the seller of the vehicle. Without one of these two, you cannot register the change of ownership. The seller of a vehicle is obligated to transfer a certificate or part II to the buyer of the vehicle.

You can take out insurance without the certificate. If a certificate is missing, you can only register your vehicle at a registration outlet with part II of the registration certificate.

Registration certificate

Will I receive a registration certificate if I register my vehicle using my insurance company's electronic service?

Registration certificates will no longer be provided or mailed automatically after registration, and part I of the certificate no longer needs to be kept in the car. If you want a registration certificate, you can get one from the electronic services at Traficom.fi or from inspection stations.

Can I register my vehicle using paper registration documents?

Yes, you can. However, you cannot register the change of ownership in the electronic service using the registration certificate. Instead, you need to visit an inspection station or your insurance company. You can take out motor insurance without any certificate. For further information, contact your insurance company.

Vehicle decomissioning and comissioning

Where and how can I decommission or commission my vehicle?

All vehicles can be decommissioned or commissioned using the electronic services offered by Traficom and most insurance companies. Inspection stations also accept decommissioning and commissioning registrations. You can decommission all vehicles without any obligation to return their registration plates.

What is the impact of temporary decommissioning on insurance premiums?

The impact of decommissioning on the insurance premium depends on your insurance agreement with your insurance company. For further information, contact your insurance company.

Will I need a certificate to decommission or commission my vehicle?

No, you will not. However, you need to be the registered owner or holder of the vehicle. Only the registered owner or holder is able to register the decommissioning or commissioning of a vehicle. The registering party is always identified during the process and it is verified from the register that the specific party is the registered owner or holder of the vehicle.