Driving Abroad; the Age Old Question

I’m sure at one point or other you’ve all made or listened to jokes about driving abroad, driving round roundabouts the wrong way, etc. The reality of this can be rather more serious.

It’s all very well if you’re hiring a car in the country you travel to, but what if you’re driving your own car over to say France or another now easily accessible European country. Does your normal car insurance policy cover you?

The answer in some ways is both yes and no. Yes you should be covered on the majority of policies, as under European Union law a minimum level of cover is required in all of the member countries. This however is only really about the same level of cover as a third party policy, coincidentally the minimum level allowed by law in this country.

Then on the other hand when you think about it, no, you’re not really covered sufficiently. All the insurance will pay out for is damage or injury to a third party and no cover is provided for yourself. Many people do not realise how little is covered whilst driving in Europe and may presume they have comprehensive cover.

Most insurers offer a temporary top up to your motor insurance policy, often for up to a period of 30 days. This will cover you as a comprehensive policy and give you the peace of mind you require.

Not all providers offer this feature so it is advisable to check early, as if you cannot add this temporary cover, you will need time to seek and apply for a temporary policy with another company.

It is also important to have your car checked over mechanically before you attempt to make a long overseas trip, so as to avoid having to make a claim whilst abroad. This is also good general advice before any long road trip.

You may be able to find certain insurance companies who offer comprehensive European cover as part of their standard policy. This will take some research and a good idea is to use a comparison site to make the job easier by showing you what is and is not covered under a prospective policy.

The main things to remember when planning a trip abroad in your car are; Make sure you are covered (take extra cover if needed), have your car checked over mechanically, take plenty of maps, take many breaks and above all drive safely and carefully, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

by: Chris Rowlands

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com