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