23 April 2007

British Risk Driving Abroad Without Adequate insurance | Cheap Car Insurance and Home Insurance from Confused.com

Hundreds of thousands of motorists are expected to make channel crossings over the May Bank Holiday, of which up to 32% could be travelling with insufficient car insurance according to research from the UK's leading insurance search engine Confused.com.

Up to a third of those polled were unsure if their insurance policy provided sufficient cover for travel abroad, creating the prospect of drivers unwittingly getting caught without comprehensive cover.

Commenting on the research Debra Williams, Managing Director for Confused.com said: 'It's a big worry that so many drivers are placing themselves in a position where they may not be fully covered by their car insurance policy when travelling abroad. Before leaving the country with your car, it's vital that motorists check insurance policies cover them for accidental damage, fire and theft. Some policies allow you to drive abroad but only give the legal minimum RTA (Road Traffic Accident) insurance. This provides third-party cover but no protection if your car is stolen, or if you become embroiled in a legal dispute after an accident. If in doubt, upgrade to comprehensive cover before leaving the country.'

Williams continues: 'In addition to ensuring that you have the correct level of cover, don't forget your full driving licence, vehicle registration and insurance documents. In some countries police can impound your vehicle if you don't have the correct documents; and never leave paperwork in the car where it might be stolen.

'You should also check with your insurer whether you need a Green Card which proves you are adequately insured', added Williams. 'Green Cards are being phased out across most of the EU but are mandatory in countries such as Poland, Andorra and Romania.

'Finally you should also make sure your breakdown policy covers you abroad. The best policies cover the cost of getting your car home - and other expenses you might incur such as hotel accommodation. Also don't forget to check that your travel insurance is up to date.'

Confused.com has created a driving abroad guide - Hitting the Holiday Highway - to help British drivers become more aware of European roads and laws. To obtain a free copy of the guide visit Confused.com.

Editor's notes

• Based on a survey of 635 people undertaken by Confused.com
• Confused.com searches over 97% of the online car insurance market
• On average people using Confused.com can save £150 on their car insurance.
• Confused.com provides a real-time service for car insurance, bringing back results in less than two minutes.

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