Looking to drive abroad? - Cheap may not be cheerful!

British holiday-makers are feeling the pinch this summer - and cheaper petrol prices at European pumps will encourage many to plan a holiday by car abroad. But setting off in the car to foreign soil is not without its potential drawbacks and motorists should be wary of blindly assuming that their existing insurance policy will cover their trips abroad.

Tescocompare.com, the car and home insurance comparison site, shows that while price remains the most important factor for over two thirds (70%) of people shopping around for car insurance, simply choosing the cheapest cover may be a false economy when it comes to driving abroad.

Tescocompare.com warns that while most policies offer some sort of cover abroad, some insurance providers will only cover drivers for up to three days abroad third party only, at which point it becomes the driver's responsibility to take out further insurance. However, some other insurance providers will automatically include fully comprehensive cover for up to 90 days.

Understanding the differences in cover available may save some drivers money over the long term. Opting to pay as little as £45 more per year, means that those who drive regularly in the EU can benefit from up to 90 days free cover with insurers such as Diamond, Lloyds TSB and Kwikfit Insurance. However, drivers should again examine the terms as some insurance cover will default to third party cover only, rather than comprehensive.

Paul Baxter of Tescocompare.com, says: "Less expensive insurers may quote a low premium for the year, however when extra foreign cover is charged at a high rate, the savings made by drivers on the year's premium are cancelled out by the add-on items.

And while you may think third party cover is enough, if you are involved in a shunt in a rural Spanish village, you'll soon realise that having comprehensive cover is a necessity. Be sure to investigate all the policy details before you commit to a premium - Tescocompare.com allows you to compare across 25 policy features."

For more information, visit tescocompare.com