Drivers should check car insurance before driving abroad

24 June 2008

17% will drive abroad in next 12 months

Sainsbury’s Car Insurance has warned motorists to check their car insurance before they drive their cars abroad.

The warnings come as new research by the insurer revealed that 17% of drivers are planning to take their cars abroad over the course of the next 12 months.

However, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance warned these drivers that “unless they inform their insurer before they set off, they could find that their fully comprehensive policy in the UK has diminished to third party”.

The research conducted by the insurer found that almost half (48%) of those who said they would be using their cars outside of Great Britain said they would drive over a thousand miles whilst abroad.

Another 19% said they would drive between 501 and 1,000 miles and 29% said they would drive less than 500 miles on foreign soil.

According to Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, most insurers will provide cover for driving in Europe but policyholders are required to tell them that they will be driving abroad before they set off. If they don’t do this they will likely only be covered for third party, fire and theft.

Joanne Mallon, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance Manager, said: “When going on holiday, most people will remember to take travel insurance but we are concerned that some motorists are overlooking the need to ensure that their car journey is fully covered.

“Having an accident anywhere is bad enough but when abroad it can be compounded by a lack of local knowledge, to then find that the other party’s damage is covered but not your own, is surely a blow worth avoiding,” she added.

The bank also advised drivers to bear in mind the differences likely to be experienced whilst driving in abroad such as the difficulties faced by driving on the opposite side of the road and the “significant differences” in driving laws between different European countries.

The research by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance also found that 9% of drivers who plan to go abroad will be off to our nearest neighbour, France.

However, according to the insurer, if you use any type of radar detecting device in France your car and the device could be taken from you and you could receive a fine even if the device is turned off.

Additionally, in Spain, drivers are legally required to carry a spare wheel, a spare fan belt and full set of spare bulbs as well as the tools needed to change these parts. Plus, drivers can be fined if they do not carry two red warning triangles to put at the front and rear of your car in the event of an accident or breakdown.