Check Your Car Insurance Before Driving Abroad
Published: 8 June 2011 By MoneyHighStreet Staff 3 Comments
The holiday season is almost upon us but when it comes to driving abroad it seem many Brits don’t know whether their car insurance will cover them, do you?
Research from moneysupermarket.com revealed that 32% of Brits think that fully comprehensive car insurance cover for the UK will also provide them with the same level of cover for Europe; but they could well be in for a nasty shock.
Many car insurance providers will in fact automatically downgrade a fully comprehensive policy to provide only the minimum level of cover required for the country you are driving in – normally third party only.
Holidaymakers driving through several countries could also find the level of car insurance cover may vary considerably from country to country as a result.
As Peter Harrison of moneysupermarket comments: “If you were unfortunate enough to have a crash while abroad and were only covered for third party, you could be left with a hefty bill!”
And he added “If your car insurance policy does automatically downgrade, it is worth checking whether your providers will allow you to upgrade or add on European car insurance as an extra. Motorists who regular drive abroad should consider policies that have a comprehensive cover for driving in Europe as standard or adding it on as an extra at the point of purchase.”
Motor insurance providers that downgrade motor insurance policies for driving in continental Europe:
| Provider | Minimum Level of Cover (EU Countries) |
Duration |
| Churchill | Minimum Cover Required For Country | 90 Days |
| esure | Minimum Cover Required For Country | 180 Days |
| Direct Line | Minimum Cover Required For Country | 90 Days |
| ASDA | Minimum Cover Required For Country | 90 Days |
| Swiftcover | Minimum Cover Required For Country | 3 Days |
| More Th>n | Minimum Cover Required For Country | 45 Days |
| Kwik-Fit Insurance | Minimum Cover Required For Country | 60 Days |
| RAC | Third Party Cover | Unlimited within reason |
Motor insurance providers that offer existing cover whilst driving in Europe:
| Provider | Minimum Level of Cover (EU Countries) |
Duration |
| Admiral | Existing Cover | 30 Days |
| Barclays | Existing Cover | 60 Days |
| Endsleigh | Existing Cover | 90 Days |
| Marks & Spencer | Existing Cover | 90 Days |
| Hastings Direct | Existing Cover | 90 Days |
| Budget | Existing Cover | 60 Days |
| Post Office | Existing Cover | 60 Days |
| The AA | Existing Cover | 90 Days |
| Lloyds TSB | Existing Cover | 60 Days |
| HSBC | Existing Cover | 90 Days |
| Halifax | Existing Cover | 60 Days |
The above information was sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com 25.05.2011
MoneyHighStreet.com comments: “Insurance for many, whether it be car, home or travel insurance, often does not get the attention it needs. It is vital to be clear in your mind what your insurance needs are and then to buy the cover that best meets these needs. It’s not simply a case of just buying the cheapest policy.
“It is crucial that before you go off on holiday you do thoroughly check your insurance, buying more or updating it if necessary – and remember with travel insurance don’t leave buying it until you’re almost setting off, it’s far better to buy it as soon as you’ve paid for your trip.”
Hastings Direct are listed as providing “existing cover” for travel to Europe. Oh no they dont. Fortunately just checked fully comprehensive insurance and it states ” the policy provides minumum level required…….for the EU”.