Motor Vehicle Breakdown and Travel Trip Insurance


Driving holidays in Europe for the independent motorist. Ferries, hotels, holiday homes, camping.

Insurance Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Breakdown and Trip Travel Insurance

Can we book insurance on its own? Can I change or cancel my insurance once I've paid for it?
Do I need a Green Card or Bail Bond? Who provides Drive-Alive Holiday and Motor Breakdown insurance?
I have insurance with another company. Must I inform Drive-Alive of the details? I'm taking a trailer on holiday. Can this be covered?
My vehicle is over 15 years old. Can this be covered for Motor Breakdown insurance? I'm hiring a car to go abroad. Can this be covered for Motor Breakdown insurance?
Can I cover some, but not all, the passengers/vehicles we are travelling with? Which countries are covered by your policies?
Is my car covered if it breaks down in the UK before I leave? What happens if I change my vehicle after I've taken Motor Breakdown insurance?
Does my car insurance in the UK cover me when driving abroad? Can I take out Motor Breakdown insurance without Travel insurance?

Can I book insurance on its own?
No. Since the introduction on 14th January 2005 of new regulations by the Financial Services Authority governing the sale of travel insurance by Tour Operators, we cannot sell insurance as a stand-alone product. It can only be sold together with a holiday, or added at a later date to a holiday we have already sold.

Can I change or cancel insurance?
As with all insurance products, there is a 14-day "cooling-off" period within which you are entitled to a full refund of any premiums paid. Send an email within this period to info@drive-alive.com if you decide you don't want the insurance, and we'll reimburse you in full. After this time, however, you cannot cancel travel insurance, because cover commences immediately and provides for events which might occur at any time, e.g. becoming ill so you cannot take your holiday. If you have chosen motor breakdown cover and you change your vehicle after you have paid, you must let us know. There is no charge for a change of vehicle details.

Do I need a Green Card or Bail Bond?
Green cards are not normally required these days. This is an extension to your car insurance, so that you are legally covered when driving abroad. However, you should contact your motor insurer and let them have details of your holiday plans. A Bail Bond is still advisable when in Spain, as Spanish police can confiscate your vehicle in the event of an accident. Contact your motor insurer for this. Green cards and bail bonds are not part of the Drive-Alive cover.

Who provides Drive-Alive Holiday and Motor Breakdown insurance?
Cover is provided for Drive-Alive clients by UK Underwriting Limited, and is brokered by Crispin Speers and Partners Limited. Assistance in the event of vehicle breakdown is administered by the Green Flag group.

Can I cover some, but not all, of the passengers/vehicles we are travelling with?
If there is more than one vehicle, you are offered the option of insuring the passengers in either or both. If you want to insure just some of the people in a vehicle, select the insurance you want and use the "comments" box of the holiday planner to tell us your exact requirements. The price you are quoted will be for all passengers, which we will revise when we confirm the holiday back to you.

Can I take out Motor Breakdown insurance without Travel insurance?
No. Since the introduction on 14th January 2005 of new regulations by the Financial Services Authority governing the sale of travel insurance by Tour Operators, we cannot sell motor breakdown insurance as a stand-alone product. It must be requested at the same time as Travel insurance.

I have insurance with another company. Must I inform Drive-Alive of the details?
No. We do not need to know details of your own insurance. But please be aware that you are solely responsible for any loss you may suffer in the event that your alternative cover turns out to be inadequate.

I'm taking a trailer on holiday. Can this be covered?
Yes. You'll find a selection box for trailers/caravans when giving us vehicle details. The surcharge for insuring them will be automatically calculated and added to the premium.

My vehicle is over 15 years old. Can this be covered for Motor Breakdown insurance?
Not with Drive-Alive. There are companies which do this, so try searching Google.

I'm hiring a car to go abroad. Can this be covered for Motor Breakdown insurance?
Again, not with Drive-Alive. Your best bet is to find a car rental firm that includes such cover in their charges.

hich countries are covered by your policies?
Personal Trip Travel (sections 1-12): Europe including countries west of the Ural Mountains, the Azores, Canary Islands, Iceland, Madeira, Jordan and countries with a Mediterranean coastline (excluding Albania, Israel and Algeria).

Motor Breakdown extension (section 13): Mainland Europe and its neighbouring islands, but not States which were members of the USSR, Albania, Turkey in Asia, Cyprus, Iceland or the United Kingdom other than during the direct journeys between your home and your international departure point. You are covered if your car breaks down within 7 days of the date you were due to start your holiday, and the insurers believe it cannot be repaired in time. In such cases the insurers will pay up to 1,000 towards the cost of hiring a replacement.

What happens if I change my vehicle after I've taken Motor Breakdown insurance?
No problem. Just let us have details of your new vehicle by email to info@drive-alive.co.uk before the start of your holiday.

Does my car insurance in the UK cover me when driving abroad?
Normally, yes. But see the question about Green Cards. The insurance we provide is to help you sort out yourself and your car in the event of an accident or breakdown. It is like AA or RAC insurance in the UK. It is not the same as UK motor insurance, and you should always let your motor insurer know your travel plans to ensure you are legally covered for driving abroad.

Driving in Europe

Driving in Europe
Driving in Austria
Driving in Belgium
Driving in Denmark
Driving in France
Driving in Germany
Driving in Ireland
Driving in Italy
Driving in Luxembourg
Driving in the Netherlands
Driving in Norway
Driving in Portugal
Driving in Spain
Driving in Switzerland

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Vehicle Breakdown Cover

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