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Motorists planning a trip to continental Europe this summer could be hit with a double whammy if they are involved in an accident.
Not only could they face the inconvenience of being involved in the accident itself, but they may find they don't have the level of protection they thought they had as many car insurance providers automatically downgrade fully comprehensive cover to just third party only when driving on the continent.
How car cover works abroad
Around three million British drivers make the trip to the continent every year, yet according to moneysupermarket.com research almost half (49%) don't know whether their car insurance policy will cover them or not.
Around a third believe that a fully comprehensive policy provides the same cover abroad - but this is not necessarily the case.
In fact, of 20 big brand insurance providers only half offer the same level of cover while driving in EU countries as they do in the UK. Those that do include Endsleigh, Marks & Spencer, The AA, Lloyds TSB and HSBC - they'll give you fully comprehensive cover (assuming that's what you have here in the UK) for up to 90 days when you go abroad.
However, providers such as Direct Line and Norwich Union only offer the minimum level of cover required by law in the country you're visiting - this is often just third party.
You also need to check the length of time you are covered for as this varies too. Some providers will give 90 days' insurance abroad, but others offer 60 or 30, although this will still be sufficient for a one or two week holiday.
However some, such as Virgin, only cover you for three days so if you're going away for anything more than a long weekend, you'll need to pay for additional insurance.
How can you get the cover you need?
Before you set off on holiday make sure you check the small print of your policy to see if your level of cover will be downgraded once you leave British soil. If that's the case, contact your insurer and ask for it to be upgraded for the duration of your trip - this shouldn't be expensive. Insurers tend to charge about £20 for a short-term upgrade.
However, if you plan to take your car abroad for an extended period, be prepared to pay more.
What else should you remember when driving abroad?
Here are some tips to help your driving experience overseas run smoothly:
• Remember European breakdown cover: Even if you have upgraded car insurance, having roadside assistance overseas to deal with problems on the spot can provide great reassurance. Remember that the levels of cover will vary though so it pays to shop around - use our breakdown insurance comparison tool to compare stand-alone policies.
• Visibility accessories: In 2008 it became illegal not to carry a high visibility vest and warning triangle in countries such as France. The jacket needs to be worn in the event of a breakdown while the triangle must be placed 30 metres from the vehicle.
• Watch out for changing speed limits: Be aware that many speed limits drop significantly from fast country roads into villages but are often unmarked - the sign of the village should act as a warning to drop your speed.
• Drink driving laws: Check into the legal alcohol limits in the country you plan to travel to. For example in France, Belgium and Portugal the legal blood alcohol level is 0.05% compared to 0.08% in the UK. If you are found to be driving over the limit you could be fined or even face prison time.
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