15 Jun, 2011
Half of us have driven overseas but many of us are a bit hazy on the rules, according to a study by car insurance comparison site Confused.com. So if you’re about to take your car to Europe for a driving holiday, it’s worth swotting up on the regulations first.
51% of UK drivers have already driven abroad, and only a quarter of UK drivers surveyed do not intend to drive abroad in the future. But when quizzed on the rules about driving overseas, the story was slightly worrying:
- 53% of UK drivers were unaware that some European countries require you to have a high visibility jacket in the car
- 31% were unaware that drivers should carry a warning triangle in the car in some European countries
- 23% did not know that they may be required to display a GB sticker or national identifier when taking their car to some European countries
- 47% did not know an international driving permit is required in certain countries
- 44% did not know that a headlamp converter is required in many European countries
Confused.com has produced a number of free guides to driving abroad to help people who want to take their cars on holiday but aren’t sure what they need to do:
1) European Driving Guide: http://www.confused.com/guides/motoring/general/confused-com-european-driving-guide-3127079973
2) Driving Abroad: http://www.confused.com/car-insurance/guides/driving-abroad
Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com said:
“Taking your car on holiday can be very liberating and if you’re equipped for the trip then you’ll feel more confident and avoid getting into trouble. Then it’s just a case of remembering to drive on the right in the majority of European countries.”
Almost a quarter of men and just under a quarter of women do not have any breakdown cover according to the survey of 2,000 drivers, which was carried out at the end of May 2011.
Kate Rose, Head of Travel at Confused.com added:
"When driving abroad you should always ensure you have adequate breakdown cover as well as suitable travel insurance to cover you while you are away. If your car or motorbike breaks down, or you are involved in an accident, you want to make sure you aren’t left at the side of the road, and are also able to claim for any medical expenses.
Travel Insurance is often overlooked, but with prices starting at as little as £2.95*, the peace of mind, especially when driving in unfamiliar countries, can be invaluable"
Ends
Media information:
Confused.com press office Helen.Beckett@confused.com 07551 005877
The survey of 2,000 drivers was carried out for Confused.com by OnePoll.com during May 2011.
All figures have been rounded to the nearest 1%.
*The cheapest single trip policy is £2.95 (based on 1 adult aged 40 travelling in Europe for up to 3 days). Prices correct on the 13/06/2011
About Confused.com
Confused.com is one of the UK’s biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance.
Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com’s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.
Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.
