Warnings Regarding Foreign Motor Insurance
28/06/2011
Six million motorists are planning on taking their cars out of the country this year – how many of these will be properly covered?
Six million motorists are planning on taking their cars out of the country this year – how many of these will be properly covered?
British holidaymakers are being warned that taking their cars abroad this summer could end up being extortionately expensive should they fail to check their insurance cover properly beforehand.
A new survey run by Moneysupermarket found that one out of three drivers are under the impression that a fully comprehensive policy will still be valid outside this country – but in most situations this is not the case.
Despite a few companies, most insurance providers – including some of the biggest names – will automatically ‘downgrade’ your insurance when you leave the country. This simply means that the insurance policy will now only cover the bare minimum legal requirement in the country you are visiting. In most European countries such as France and Germany, this means you will only get third-party cover. The end result? A whopping bill in the event of any accidents or claims.
Most insurance companies however, will enable their policyholders to acquire fully comprehensive cover whilst abroad in return for an additional cost – but this can depend largely on the length of your holiday and where exactly you will be travelling. In addition, there are also specialist policies that offer permanent comprehensive cover overseas, which is a good choice for regular travellers.
Don’t forget about your breakdown cover either. Many countries legally require headlamp deflectors to drive on the right, a warning triangle, first aid kit and spare bulbs. If you are visiting Spain it is compulsory to wear a visibility vest if you break down.
Obtaining breakdown cover before you travel is also strongly advisable due to the cost savings. Towing your car on holiday or paying for repairs could be exceptionally costly otherwise. It is also recommended to have a GB sticker on the back of your car, unless you already have the newer European plates.
Remember to check how long your
car insurance provider is covering you for whilst you are away – some insurers provide 90 days, whilst others only 30. Be warned, as some companies will actually only cover you for three days so if you are going away for anything more than a long weekend you might have to pay extra.
Always take your full licence, vehicle registration, insurance certificate and a European Accident Statement form – and for goodness sake, don’t forget a spare set of keys!