Guide for New and Visiting Faculty

A few insurance agencies that offer English-language policies and have English-speaking agents are:
S. Hamburger - S. Levy, Tel.: 6253266; Fax: 6244315
Goldfus & Associates, Tel.: 5612223; Fax: 561225
Betah Insurance, Tel.: 6754270; Fax: 6232637
Yedidim, Tel.: (03)6386216/7; Fax: 03-6874534
(Company Director Amos Gilboa – Tel.: 052-3250975)
Note that this list is not comprehensive, and does not constitute an endorsement of the agencies listed.
It is provided simply as an initial reference to help you get started when you are shopping for Israeli car
insurance.
Green Card Insurance: This is the only car insurance available abroad and valid for Israel on a
vehicle brought by tourists (B-2) only. If you hold a B-2 visa you may bring this insurance with you if
your home country is a signatory to the agreement existing with Israel, and if Israel is explicitly
mentioned in the Green Card (some 30 countries are currently members of this scheme, and insurance
companies handling Green Card insurance can tell you which countries are signatories.) The Green
Card arrangement provides coverage according to the policy obtained from the insurance company. As
compulsory insurance in Israel pertains only to physical injuries, the Green Card office in Israel
handles such cases. If, on the other hand, only property is damaged, this office handles such cases only
if the insurance company which has issued the policy asks it to do so. Where only property is
damaged, you should consult the Israeli representative of your insurance company, who will advise
you about presenting a claim. Make sure to find out before leaving your home country, with whom
you should get in touch in the event there is property damage. In any case, visitors who bring Green
Cards should check what precisely their policy covers.
To obtain the Green Card, apply to your local insurance company and specify that it is for Israel. Make
sure that the card bears the designation IL (Israel), the address of the Israel Green Card Office, and the
stamp of the issuing company. The U.S. has no Green Card agreement with Israel, but certain
designated insurance companies will pay damages to holders of comprehensive insurance who are
involved in accidents here.
Breakdown Services
There are several companies providing emergency vehicle services, some on an annual subscription
basis entitling the subscriber to free 24-hour towing, etc. Some insurance companies include fees for
these services as part of the premium. If you should consider one of these offers, make sure that the
company gives valid, updated insurance coverage.
While in Israel you may wish to use the services of MEMSI, the Automobile and Touring Club of
Israel. Full membership includes emergency road service and towing in Israel, travel counseling, and
other paid and free services. International driver's licenses are obtainable here. For further information
on all MEMSI services, contact their Jerusalem branch office at 31 Ben-Yehuda Street, Tel.: 6250661.
Rules of the Road
The wearing of seat belts on urban and interurban roads is mandatory in Israel for both the driver and
all passengers (front and back). There are stiff penalties if this law is broken. Children under 14 are not
permitted to ride in the front seat. Infants and children under four years of age must be strapped into a
specially designed car seat which can be anchored to the back seat (infants up to one year of age ride in
a backward-facing child restraint). For further information, contact the Road Safety Dept., POB 867,
Jerusalem, 91008, Tel.: 6663361.
All vehicles must carry a red reflective warning triangle, in case of breakdown, as well as reflective
strips on the rear. All vehicles must carry a yellow reflective vest for the driver to wear if the car
breaks down. Between November and April, headlights must be on for inter-city travel at all hours of
the day and night. Drivers and passengers on motorcycles and scooters must wear helmets at all times.