By Andrie Daniel
A law passed by the House earlier this year for minor traffic collisions requires drivers, provided there is no mechanical or permanent damage and no injuries, to photograph the scene and then move their vehicles to a safe spot so as not to obstruct traffic. Insurers must accept the photos and related statements as if the vehicles had not been moved.
Despite the law, some insurance companies are still advising clients to keep vehicles in place until an assessor or roadside assistance arrives, so that the exact circumstances can be confirmed. Fearing disputed claims, many drivers refuse to move, creating congestion on already strained urban arteries and at motorway entry and exit points.
A Late Amendment Created Ambiguity
Dimitris Dimitriou MP, of the Democratic Rally and chair of the House Committee on Institutions, told Politis that the statute is clear. However, a last-minute amendment removed minor penalties, such as a 50-euro out-of-court fine for failing to move vehicles when conditions allow. The amendment also requires both drivers to agree before vehicles are moved, which in practice can stall the process.
Minor Collisions Are Rising
According to Pampοs Karis, Director of Human Resources and Training at ODYKY Assistance, which serves 16 insurers covering roughly 60 percent of Cyprus’s roadside assistance market, minor collisions are increasing. From January to October 2025, 34,379 minor collisions were recorded, compared with 28,718 in the same period of 2024. Adjusted for client volumes, this equates to about 500 more incidents in 2025. In most cases, drivers still do not move their vehicles, with gridlock most acute on motorways and at city approaches.
Insurers Back to the House
Mr Dimitriou said insurers will be called again before the House Committee on Transport and Works to be instructed to comply with the law and to inform policyholders properly. There have been complaints that some insurers still advise drivers not to move vehicles after a minor crash. Parliament intends to require a joint public information campaign so customers know how to handle such incidents.
Andreas Athanasiades, Director General of the Insurance Association of Cyprus, told Politis that each company informs its customers on how to handle minor collisions. He said claims are not rejected merely because vehicles were moved, although disputes about the facts can arise. Vehicles should not be moved if there are injuries or if the drivers do not agree. In all cases, motorists should call roadside assistance first and follow instructions. He also noted the reality of insurance fraud, including staged accidents and reported minor injuries, which makes it important that companies can be confident about the circumstances now that the Police are no longer required to attend minor collisions.
The Bottom Line for Drivers
If conditions are met and both parties agree, photograph the scene, exchange details, move the vehicles out of traffic and wait for assistance. Insurers are obliged to treat the photographic evidence and statements as valid. Parliament now expects insurers to align their advice with the law and help end unnecessary road blockages.