| We have all seen or personally experienced | | | | 'Green Card cover' - as Green Cards in |
| the devastating floods of recent weeks across | | | | themselves are free (and do not provide |
| the UK. Looking at the flooded streets and | | | | insurance cover in themselves), this really |
| submerged cars, it is difficult to imagine | | | | means that you are paying for extending your |
| what effected families are going through as | | | | UK insurance cover overseas. Whichever kind |
| they face another week without their homes, | | | | of cover you choose, though, and whether you |
| cars or even running water. For most people, | | | | take a Green Card or not, be sure to take |
| however, insurance policies will cover at | | | | your insurance documents with you, just so |
| least the material losses, if not the | | | | that you are prepared if you need to make a |
| emotional distress. But how far do you | | | | claim. And don't leave any such documents in |
| consider your insurance cover if you are | | | | your car - if you were to face a UK-style |
| driving abroad? Faced with a similar flooding | | | | flood situation while abroad, your careful |
| situation while on your summer vacation might | | | | organisation and paperwork would be meeting a |
| get you a celebrity shot on 'Holidays from | | | | soggy end. |
| Hell', but if you were to look out from your | | | | |
| villa balcony to see your car bobbing in the | | | | You may also want to consider your breakdown |
| storm waters, you may feel far happier just | | | | cover. You can purchase car breakdown |
| knowing you'd carefully organised your car | | | | policies with your holiday insurance or |
| insurance, in advance. | | | | separately. Your motor insurer might also |
| | | | provide this cover. Such insurance might |
| While many of us take pains to choose the | | | | cover the cost of hiring a car while yours is |
| right insurance for our homes and vehicles in | | | | being repaired, road-side assistance and |
| the UK, there is far more confusion as to | | | | emergency repairs, the cost of returning your |
| what happens when we travel abroad. Packing | | | | car to the UK or sending out spare parts, and |
| your car and driving into the sunset for, | | | | even emergency accommodation if you can't use |
| say, a road trip around Europe, may sound | | | | your vehicle. Prices will vary depending on |
| like an adventure of a lifetime. And there's | | | | what level of cover you want or need, but |
| no reason it shouldn't be - just ensure you | | | | whatever policy you choose it will be a great |
| check your insurance cover ahead of your | | | | reassurance, especially if you are driving |
| trip. Like many drivers, you may assume, for | | | | long distances. |
| example, that a UK car insurance policy will | | | | |
| provide the same level of cover if you take | | | | The following general tips may also help you |
| your car abroad. In most cases, however, | | | | plan your driving trip of a lifetime: |
| existing policies will only cover for basic | | | | |
| road traffic accidents (RTAs) or at best, | | | | * Get your vehicle serviced before you set |
| third party cover for overseas trips. This | | | | off on your holidays and ensure you research |
| means you would not be covered for theft, | | | | and comply with any vehicle requirements in |
| fire or damage. Nor would you be covered for | | | | the countries you are visiting. |
| legal matters following a car accident. | | | | |
| | | | * Do not forget your motor insurance |
| You may also have heard of a 'Green Card' for | | | | certificate, Green Card (if issued), and |
| driving abroad? This is an internationally | | | | details of any breakdown and travel |
| recognised document, that proves you have the | | | | insurance, together with any emergency |
| minimum insurance cover required by law in | | | | helpline numbers. Also take your registration |
| the country visited. The key word, however, | | | | document, driving licence and, of course, |
| is 'minimum' - the card does not provide | | | | passport. For some countries, you may need to |
| insurance in itself and although it will | | | | take an International Driving Permit - check |
| provide useful evidence of your basic cover, | | | | your destination/s in advance. |
| you will still need to get further insurance | | | | |
| cover if you want comprehensive protection. | | | | * Get a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, |
| | | | tool kit, spare bulbs and warning triangle |
| Getting the same insurance cover you enjoy in | | | | for your vehicle. Many of these items are a |
| the UK when travelling abroad is a simple | | | | legal requirement in some EU countries. |
| enough process, however. You could just ask | | | | |
| your existing insurer to extend the scope of | | | | * Take a spare set of keys and keep them |
| your cover before you travel, if it is not | | | | somewhere safe! |
| already included in your policy. An | | | | |
| additional premium may be charged for this | | | | * Familiarise yourself with road signs and |
| extension and will depend on where you're | | | | the road rules of the country you are |
| travelling and for how long. Alternatively, | | | | visiting before you go. |
| this may be a good opportunity to check out | | | | |
| the car insurance market generally - it's | | | | * Do not forget your registration document, |
| always worth ensuring you're getting the best | | | | driving licence and passport. Also check your |
| deal especially if you're planning to | | | | destination/s to see whether you need to take |
| frequently travel with your car. Also ask | | | | an International Driving Permit with you. |
| your chosen insurer about Green Cards - | | | | |
| although you no longer need a Green Card in | | | | All this planning may not sit very |
| EU countries, it still provides useful | | | | comfortably with the ideal of speeding into |
| evidence of basic insurance, and if you're | | | | the great unknown with just your car and the |
| travelling outside of the EU you will | | | | road ahead. But if you really want a road |
| certainly need one. Your insurer should be | | | | trip of a lifetime, a little advance |
| able to help you obtain one. | | | | preparation will ensure that you can have |
| | | | just that. |
| Some insurers may offer what is known as | | | | |