Are you insured for driving on the Continent?
Millions of people take their car onto the Continent every summer, but how many of them have adequate car insurance for European travel? Most drivers assume their insurance policy is the same in Europe as in the UK. But it could be a costly mistake as many insurers do not automatically offer comprehensive cover abroad. Experts estimate that one in ten motorists sustain damage to their car while driving abroad, so it is important to get an appropriate European car insurance policy before leaving the UK.Is it illegal to drive in Europe without comprehensive cover?
If your car is insured in the UK, you can legally drive in most European countries, including countries outside the EU, such as Switzerland. But you will only have the minimum legal level of cover. A green card, or International Certificate of Motor Insurance, is no longer a legal requirement within the EU, but it can be useful because it proves you have the minimum insurance cover required to drive on European roads. You can usually get a green card from your insurer, but it is not a substitute for insurance. In some countries, it would not even provide as much protection as third party cover in the UK.What does European Car Insurance cover?
If you plan to drive in Europe, it's a good idea to find a policy that offers the same level of cover as in the UK. But no two policies are exactly the same, so you need to read the small print carefully. Remember too that the cheapest policy is not necessarily the best.Insurers will usually cover motoring abroad only for a certain number of days during the policy year, often up to 90 days. But the limits vary between insurers, so check that the cover is adequate. If you expect to exceed the limit, you might be able to negotiate a deal for extended European car insurance cover.
Some insurers offer temporary or short term European car insurance that will typically cover your car for between one and 28 days. If you plan only one, short motoring trip to the Continent, temporary cover might be cheaper than standard cover in Europe, but you should still scrutinise the policy details.
You should also make sure that the policy includes the countries you intend to visit. Some insurance policies, for example, will only cover countries that belong to the European Union. Don't forget to include countries that you might drive through en route to your destination.
