The Tunisian Federation of Insurance Companies (FTUSA) has called on the General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) to study a proposal to extend the Orange Card's insurance coverage to include individuals, vehicles and road assistance services -- not just third-party liability coverage.
The FTUSA’s call was made by its executive director, Mr Hatem Amira, in a speech at the opening of an event on 22 April celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the agreement on the Unified Insurance Card for Motor Vehicles Across Arab Countries (the Orange Card).
Supporting the FTUSA’s proposal, Mr Mohamed Mazhar Hamada, rapporteur of the Committee on Cars and Unified Arab Offices and CEO of Al Ain Ahlia Insurance Company UAE, director of the UAE Unified Office, said, "I support the proposal put forward by Mr Amira, given the success achieved by the Orange Card in facilitating the movement of vehicles across Arab countries."
GAIF
GAIF secretary-general Chakib Abouzaid, in his opening remarks during the celebratory event, said, ”Thanks to the combined efforts of all those involved in the Orange Card system, we have succeeded in protecting the rights and property of citizens in Arab countries and compensating for losses resulting from vehicle accidents over the past 50 years."
He added, "The GAIF is honoured to be entrusted with overseeing the implementation of the Orange Card Agreement across Arab Countries since its signing in Tunis in 1975 by their majesties and excellencies, the kings and presidents of the Arab states."
He emphasised that the Federation has been able to maintain the Card's operation without interruption or glitches since the launch of an electronic system in the second half of 2022 and has worked to promptly supply offices with the cards they requested. He also stressed the GAIF general secretariat's commitment to developing the Orange Card system to keep pace with digital developments.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Tunisian Minister of Finance, Ms Jouda Khamira, president of the General Insurance Authority (CGA), said, "We are proud that the Unified Motor Insurance Card Agreement across Arab Countries was signed in Tunisia at the Ministry of Finance in 1975." She added that the Tunisian government believes in the importance of this agreement and was keen to organise the celebration under its patronage.
Attended by Arab insurance industry leaders, several members of the GAIF Council and the Tunisian insurance market, the celebration was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Tunis under the patronage of the Tunisian Prime Minister, and in coordination with the Tunisian Unified Motor Insurance Office, the FTUSA, and GAIF.
Orange Card
The Orange Card, created in April 1975 under an agreement concluded in Tunis by 11 Arab governments, represents a unified and harmonised Arab insurance system that allows vehicles to move freely between different Arab countries. Since then, the system has been adopted by more Arab countries. It is also fully digital. The card is sold by insurance companies and the unified bureaux in member countries.
This insurance system is managed by GAIF, which is headquartered in Egypt. Separately, a unified office has been established in each Arab member country, which is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Orange Card system.
The Orange Card covers damages and injuries caused to third parties in a motor accident according to the law of the visited country and does not include damages resulting from any other causes.