Driving Abroad
By: DCollins | Posted: 18th January 2008
With fly-drive holidays still as popular as ever, thousands of us take to the continent each year – whether in our own cars or through a hire company.
The idea of taking your own vehicle on holiday seems a tempting idea – particularly if you’re looking to travel to Europe. And with the option of taking the ferry or the train to the continent, travelling by car is a popular choice for many holidaymakers.
And why not? You’re used to the feeling of driving your own vehicle, knowing how it responds to certain situations, as well as having a rough idea of the fuel consumption.
But be careful, for it is important to get your car insurance sorted before you embark on such a trip. Many holidaymakers find themselves facing difficulties in the event of an accident abroad – due mainly to the fact that their policy wouldn’t cover them during their holiday.
It is useful to obtain an International Motor Insurance Certificate – also known as a Green Card - before you travel. But it is important to sort out your car insurance before taking your vehicle abroad, as well as taking time to research practices and regulations for the countries you intend to visit.
For example, not carrying a red warning triangle in your car is illegal in some countries, and each will have its own set of rules and penalties with regards to drink driving. Be sure to carry personal identification, such as a passport, with you during your trip and carry it with you at all times – also ensure that you have your insurance certificate and vehicle registration documents on hand should anything happen.
It’s always best to do a little research before embarking on a trip and plan your journey as far in advance as possible in order to help prepare you should anything happen.
It is also essential to carry out some basic car maintenance before your journey, ensuring that your oil and water is topped up and that your brakes and tyres are in a suitable condition for the journey.
Most insurers will charge an extra premium to allow you to take your vehicle overseas, whilst some have limits as to which countries you can drive in. But with a wide variety of cheap car insurance available, it’s best to consider your options before you travel – ensuring that you take out a policy that is fully comprehensive, while some will offer a repatriation service for a small fee – allowing for the vehicle to receive repairs back home in the UK.
If your current policy doesn’t offer cover for driving overseas, consider searching for a car insurance quote that offers overseas cover at no extra cost.
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Tags: taking time, fuel consumption, rough idea, tyres, vehicle registration, travelling by car, car insurance, oil and water, continent, holidaymakers, green card, motor insurance, personal identification, warning triangle, insurance certificate