How to buy RCA car insurance online in Romania
In short
RCA is Romania's mandatory third-party liability insurance, required for every registered vehicle. You can buy it entirely online in a few minutes using the registration certificate (talon) and the owner's ID. Contracts run from 1 to 12 months, the policy is issued instantly by e-mail, and you can verify its validity for free in the AIDA database (aida.info.ro), run by the BAAR insurers' bureau.
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RCA is Romania’s mandatory third-party liability car insurance: it covers the damage you cause to others in an accident (their car, property and injuries), not your own vehicle — that is what optional CASCO insurance is for. Without valid RCA you cannot legally drive on public roads, and your file for transferring a car into your name will not be accepted.
The good news: RCA can be bought entirely online, in minutes, at the same price as at the insurer’s counter — and the price differences between insurers make the minutes spent on a comparison site literally money in your pocket.
Why prices differ so much
The RCA market is liberalised: every insurer sets its own tariffs based on its own claims history. For the same driver and car, quotes can differ significantly between insurers. ASF publishes periodic reference tariffs — a useful statistical benchmark, not a mandated price.
The main factors behind your premium: your bonus-malus class (claims history), age, locality of residence, the car’s engine size and the period you insure for.
Steps to follow
- Prepare the car's and owner's details. You need the registration certificate (talon) — for the plate number, chassis number (VIN) and technical data — and the owner's identity document (the personal identification number, CNP, is used for the bonus-malus history).
- Compare offers from several insurers. RCA premiums are set freely by each insurer, so prices for exactly the same driver and car can differ significantly. Use an authorised online broker/comparison site or request quotes directly; as a benchmark, the financial regulator ASF publishes periodic reference tariffs.
- Choose the period and the options. An RCA contract runs from one month to 12 months, in one-month multiples, at your choice. You can optionally add the direct settlement clause, under which your own insurer handles your claim, for an extra fee.
- Pay online and receive the policy by e-mail. Issuance is instant after payment. Choose the start date carefully: policies cannot be issued retroactively, and if your old policy is still valid, set the new one to start the day after it expires so there are no uncovered days.
- Verify the policy in the AIDA database. On aida.info.ro (the database run by BAAR) you can check for free, by plate number or VIN, whether a vehicle has valid RCA on a given date. Newly issued policies can appear with a small synchronisation delay, which does not affect their validity.
Required documents
- The vehicle's registration certificate (talon) — for the plate number, VIN and technical data
- The owner's/user's identity document (the CNP determines the bonus-malus class)
- For companies: the registration certificate (CUI)
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RCA premium | Variable | Set freely by each insurer; depends on bonus-malus class, driver age, locality, engine size and chosen period |
| Buying through an online broker/comparison site | Usually 0 lei extra | Intermediaries are paid by insurers; still check the final displayed price before paying |
| Direct settlement (optional) | Extra fee set by the insurer | Your own insurer manages your claim instead of the at-fault driver's insurer |
| Fine for driving without RCA | 1,000 – 2,000 lei | Plus retention of the registration certificate and plates until a valid policy is presented |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
Buying online takes a few minutes, and the policy is issued immediately after payment and sent by e-mail. Validity starts on the date you choose (never retroactively), for a period of 1 to 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy RCA for a car that is not in my name?
Yes. The contract can be concluded and paid for by another person (the contracting party), but the insurance is issued for the vehicle's owner or user, and the bonus-malus history follows their CNP, not the payer's.
How does the bonus-malus system work?
The system has a base class B0 (for drivers without history), 8 bonus classes (progressive discounts for claim-free years) and 8 malus classes (surcharges after paid claims). The class is tied to your CNP, so an individual gets the same class for all vehicles they own, and history accumulates the same whether you buy 1-month or 12-month policies.
Do I need a printed policy at a traffic stop?
The police verify RCA validity electronically, in the database. It is still wise to keep the policy saved on your phone or printed, especially for trips abroad, where you need the Green Card document issued by the insurer together with the policy.
Is Romanian RCA valid abroad?
Yes — in the EU and EEA member states, Switzerland and the other members of the Green Card system. The Green Card document, which attests coverage in those states, is issued by the insurer together with the RCA policy.
What if my RCA has expired?
You can no longer drive the vehicle legally — there is no grace period. You risk a fine between 1,000 and 2,000 lei, plus retention of the registration certificate and plates until you show a valid policy. The good news: a new policy is issued online in minutes.
What happens to the RCA when I sell or buy the car?
On a private sale, the existing policy remains in force until the new owner becomes the holder of the registration certificate, but the seller can notify the insurer and recover the premium for the remaining period — ending the policy. As the new owner, take out your own policy quickly; you need it for the ownership transfer anyway.