Give your car insurance a holiday
By: Jay Tillotson | Posted: 14th January 2008
Driving holidays are always popular, especially in Europe, and with cross-channel ferries and the Channel Tunnel being relatively cheap, holiday makers are going for this option instead of flights. The sense of freedom that comes with going on a foreign holiday in your own car is one that appeals to the more adventurous of us.
It's common practice to take out European breakdown cover, and get your car checked out, possibly even serviced, before embarking on a long journey overseas, but a good percentage of drivers forget to check their car insurance too.
With the creation of the European Union the majority of policy holders assume that their fully comprehensive or third-party, fire and theft cover will extend into Europe. It won't. the fact is, as soon as your wheels leave British soil, your cover stays at home, leaving you with third party cover only. This is the bare legal minimum in Europe, and will only insure you for damage to another vehicle.
Some countries are notorious for unsafe driving. Greece is known as one of the worst in Europe, while Spain and Poland tend to have more aggressive drivers than the UK, so extending your car insurance to cover all eventualities makes a lot of sense. You may pay a little more on your premium, but compare it to how much you could spend without it. Costs of being in an accident abroad can run into hundreds of pounds, all for the sake of a few pounds before you go. If you don't go abroad often, ask your insurer to upgrade your policy just to cover you while you're abroad.
It's also best to carry a Green Card with you when driving abroad. This shows that you are legally insured for driving in Europe, and can be obtained from certain motor insurance companies. If you don't want to get a Green Card, or forget, take your insurance certificate instead.
As well as extending your car insurance, there are other things to prepare for that you may not think about, especially if this is your first time driving abroad.
A GB sticker displayed on the back of your car is mandatory in most countries, as is carrying a fire extinguisher, tool kit, warning triangles, spare bulbs and a first aid kit. If you're stopped on the road the local police will check you have these with you.
Do your research – try and learn what the various road signs mean, and find out about any local driving rules and speed limits. Remember that they may well be in kph as opposed to mph, and while a sign may read '80', this could be misleading in kph, as it would actually mean 50 mph. Fortunately, most speedometers in UK cars have the kph printed under the mph, so just get used to checking this before you go.
It's also worth remembering to stay away from badly-lit car parks and side streets at night while abroad, and keep your car securely locked at all times – even when you're in it. UK marked cars are prime targets for thieves and car-jackers, so be vigilant, never leave your unlocked car unattended and hide all valuables.
About the Author
J Tillotson is a UK author specialising in Energy and Efficiency
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Tags: third party, european union, sake, insurance companies, long journey, own car, insurer, car insurance, holiday makers, green card, motor insurance, party fire, fire and theft, cheap holiday, insurance certificate