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Make sure you’re covered before driving in Europe this summer

24th May 2010 Print

As research reveals that only 12% of car drivers will fully read the manual before driving off in a car (new or used) for the first time, M&S Car Insurance is calling for Brits who are planning to travel by car to Europe this summer to make sure they prepare before heading overseas.

Avoid the queues on the road

Millions of Brits will be heading overseas in the coming months. During last year's May half term holiday alone, it was estimated 1.8 million Brits travelled abroad.

Car travel is a popular alternative to avoid airport queues and delays. Driving into mainland Europe by car means making the most of the scenic routes and discovering parts of a country that are missed when flying.  However, the distance can take its toll and result in car breakdowns and delays if adequate preparations are not taken.

Make sure you're covered

For those who intend to drive in the European Union outside the UK this summer, it is important to make sure your insurance policy covers EU travel. Some insurance policies, such as M&S Premier Car Insurance, will come with this included, but drivers should not assume this is the case with all policies.

Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of General Insurance, said: "With the recent air travel problems, many people may be looking for an alternative to flying. Travelling by car avoids the risk of flight delays and cancellations. However, it is crucial for drivers who are making longer journeys by car for the first time, to make sure they have the adequate car insurance and breakdown cover in place, so that they have peace of mind should the worse happen."

Tips to ensure driving overseas is a breeze:

Plan your journey beforehand using a route planner

Have a travel book to hand that contains local phrases to ask locals for directions and good places to stop

Make sure you have some local currency in case you need to pay for toll booths

Bring plenty of entertainment when travelling with children to ensure they are kept occupied and do not distract the driver

Have refreshments in the car to avoid dehydration in the heat and in case you get caught in a traffic jam

Check the car over before setting off, ensuring the oil, screen wash, coolant and tyre pressures are at correct levels

For more information about M&S Car Insurance or to apply, visit marksandspencer.com/carinsurance.