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How to prepare for European driving
You may have packed your suitcase and even remembered your toothbrush, but if
you’re planning to take your car with you on a trip abroad there are plenty of
other things to remember – from suitable
car insurance,
to familiarising yourself with the rules of the road. Here we look at how to
prepare for European driving.
Why it is important to have breakdown and car insurance cover abroad
Statistics from Saga car insurance in 2009 emphasise the importance of taking
out a suitable level of breakdown cover for overseas driving. According to its
findings, the cost of repatriating a vehicle from Italy can reach £1,935, while
in Germany it could cost £1,500. Motorway recovery to the nearest garage in
France could cost £125 on a weekday and £155 over the weekend.
Car insurance cover overseas is vital too. Thieves often target cars with
foreign registration plates and there is also a greater risk of having an
accident when driving on an unfamiliar road.
Attempting to find the money to cover the costs of an accident or breakdown
abroad would be difficult – so car insurance with additional breakdown cover can
provide welcome peace of mind in case something goes wrong.
Do you have the right level of car insurance?
Many motorists assume that because they have comprehensive car insurance in the
UK they will have the same level of cover abroad. In fact, the majority of car
insurers simply include a ‘green card’ within their policies which offers the
minimum level of cover to legally drive in the European Union.
This means that even if you have comprehensive cover in the UK you will only get
the equivalent of a third party policy overseas. This covers damage to other
vehicles and injuries to third parties but will not repair or replace your own
vehicle if an accident occurs.
However, there are a number of insurers that offer the same level of cover
abroad as at home – although this normally comes with an additional premium. The
key is to check the terms and conditions before you travel and also examine the
length of time you will be covered for – most insurers limit coverage to a
maximum of 90days, with some even limiting their cover to less than a week.
So look at your existing policy and ensure you find the answer to all of these
questions:
- Do you have the same cover abroad as at home?
- How long are you covered for?
- Will you still receive options such as a courtesy car abroad?
- Are repatriation costs included?
- Are you covered for personal injury treatments in an overseas hospital?
If you’re not happy with your existing cover use a comparison website to compare
quotes from other companies.
What else do you need to know before you travel?
To help avoid accidents on overseas roads, familiarise yourself with road signs
and any different rules that may apply in the country you’re travelling to. Be
particularly aware of changing speed limits – when moving from a country road to
a village, limits often plummet from 90km/h to 50km/h with only the village’s
‘welcome’ sign as a warning.
Look into the alcohol limits in case you need to drive after a night out – in
France, for example, the legal alcohol limit is 50mg in every 100mg compared to
80mg in the UK.
Finally, ensure your car would pass a safety check on a foreign road – in some
countries it is essential to carry a high visibility jacket, GB stickers and a
warning triangle.
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