Driving across Europe is quite popular among British holidaymakers, but if you plan on driving abroad, be sure you have the proper car insurance cover documentation also suitable European car insurance.
Although the United Kingdom has left the EU, you can still drive in Europe without obtaining an international driver's licence in most instances. A green card is required, as well as a GB sticker on your vehicle. Any domestic UK vehicle insurance policy that provides the legal minimum cover for travel in countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) is still valid for driving in Europe, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), providing vacationers are travelling with a green card.
Every UK vehicle insurance policy, according to gov.uk, includes at least the minimum amount of third-party cover required for driving in the EU.
However, even if you have a fully comprehensive policy in the UK, some insurers will automatically reduce your European car insurance cover to third-party only. This implies that if you get into an accident, your insurance will cover the damage to other cars but not your own. Other insurers will maintain the same level of protection as in the UK, so if you have a fully comprehensive cover in the UK, it will follow you across Europe.
A green card for European car insurance is a certificate of insurance provided by a UK insurance company that certifies that a driver has the required third-party insurance to travel in Europe. Your insurer will not automatically offer you a green card; you must apply for one. Allow at least six weeks for the application process before travelling. If you travel without permission, you may be fined or prosecuted, and your vehicle may be impounded.
You'll need to contact your insurance company. If you have a trip coming up, it's ideal to do this as soon as possible. The green card is free, although there may be an administration fee associated with the document's issuance, which varies by supplier.
There will most likely be more stringent border inspections, and you will have to queue separately to EU travellers. You may also be required to produce proof of a return ticket and sufficient amount of money for your stay.
If you have more than £10,000 in cash on you, you must declare it. This can be done up to three days before your flight. Visit GOV.UK for further information.
You could face a fine of up to £5,000 if you don't declare it.
A standard car insurance policy covers the majority of European countries. Switzerland, Vatican City, Turkey, and Russia, for example, are not covered. Always double-check your cover to ensure that the European country you intend to visit is covered.
European cover from us can ensure you have vehicle insurance for the precise duration of your trip, whether you are travelling for a week, 28 days, or just searching for day insurance. Our 1-day European car insurance will help if you're only going to France for a day, but our temporary European car insurance can cover you for up to 28 days if you're planning a longer trip. (Additional policies can be purchased to extend your cover).
You'll have plenty of time to see everything Europe has to offer with maximum cover spanning 112 days over a rolling 12-month period. Compare European car insurance with other insurance companies and be amazed with how much you can save!
For peace of mind, you may want to increase your insurance cover, especially if you only have third-party cover. Driving in a foreign nation can be stressful enough due to differences in infrastructure, rules, and driving on the opposite side of the road, without having to worry about how much insurance you have.
An accident while driving in a foreign country can be especially distressing since you may not be familiar with the local language or how the authorities handle car accidents. For example, you may be required to pay an immediate fine which must be paid in cash.
Increasing your insurance cover can make driving abroad much less stressful, since you can rest certain that if anything goes wrong, you'll be fully protected and won't be responsible for any unforeseen costs, such as car repairs. If you decide to enhance your cover by using European car insurance comparison websites to either get a great deal or simply contact your insurer and let them know where you're going and how much you want to be covered for.
It's a good idea to double-check the following before driving your car abroad:
Level of cover - Check to ensure if the level of cover you have for driving in the UK corresponds to the level of cover supplied for the country you intend to visit.
Countries covered - Check to see if your insurance covers the country you'll be driving in. Some European countries that are not part of the EU, such as Switzerland, may be excluded from your cover.
Duration of your policy - Most policies have a limit on how long you'll be insured while driving abroad, usually between 30 and 90 days. If you're going to be gone for an extended period of time, you might have to pay a higher premium.
How to improve your cover - Look into your choices for improving your cover or extending the time period if necessary. If it's only basic third-party insurance, which won't cover damage to your own vehicle, you might wish to upgrade.
Is temporary or short -term European car insurance policy sufficient - This normally protects you for up to 28 days and is a nice option if you only plan to travel once a year.
Is it possible to extend breakdown cover from the United Kingdom to Europe - If you have breakdown insurance, you won't be stranded by the side of the road in a foreign country where you don't speak the language. You might want to consider purchasing supplementary European breakdown insurance.
Our short-term European car insurance choices are ideal for your requirements. We can insure you whether you're attending a business conference in France or planning a month-long European road vacation. So, all you have to worry about is where to go first!
Comparing rates when it comes to renewing your car insurance is the greatest method to get a decent deal. You can compare inexpensive car insurance quotes with us, and it's always worth looking at the policy results and policy documentation to see how insurers handle driving in Europe, as well as the level of cover each policy provides.