Avoid driving abroad uninsured

With the start of the school summer holidays less than four weeks away and a boost for holidaymakers as the pound rises against the euro, nearly 3.4 million motorists (10 per cent) plan to drive their car to Europe this summer.

The research, conducted by female-friendly car insurer Sheilas' Wheels, reveals that 83 per cent of those driving abroad plan on heading to France, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) to Belgium and nearly a fifth to Germany (19 per cent). Alarmingly, a third (33 per cent) think that the driving rules and regulations in the UK are the same as those in European countries.

In fact, almost a third (32 per cent) of motorists questioned drive illegally in Europe by not carrying a warning triangle in their car - one of the compulsory requirements when driving in France, Belgium and Germany - as well as fitting headlamp adjustments.

Furthermore, over 2.8 million motorists polled don't know the speed limits on foreign roads, with 85 per cent of those surveyed revealing that they don't know that the speed limit on a motorway in France is 130km/h. Of those surveyed, three per cent admit to having been caught speeding and faced a hefty on-the-spot fine.

With 15 per cent of motorists picking up damage to their car whilst on foreign soil - be it a collision, bump, act of vandalism or a damaged windscreen - the importance of making sure that you have fully comprehensive cover for any unfortunate mishap is clear.

Alarmingly, the poll shows that 15 per cent of motorists drive abroad assuming that the cover they have for driving in Europe is the same as that which they have whilst driving in the UK, when in fact they are not, and surprisingly, only one in ten (10 per cent) actually call their insurer to check whether or not they are covered whilst driving abroad.

Motorists may think that having a Green Card within their insurance documents means they're covered when driving abroad. However, this only provides proof that a motorist has the appropriate minimum level of cover required to drive in that country - which is usually only third party cover. Motorists must call their insurer to get their cover extended to the cover that they have whilst driving in the UK.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels car insurance said: "It's important for motorists looking to take their car across the Channel to call their insurer and check their level of cover before driving abroad. With the school holidays fast approaching this may be the last thing on parents' minds but it's crucial to plan ahead and get ample insurance cover for added peace of mind.

"It's also vital that motorists do their research beforehand by making sure they understand the basic rules and regulations for driving on foreign roads. Being fully prepared by planning their journeys, carrying the essential equipment and giving their car a maintenance check before setting off is also a must - especially as a breakdown with kids in the back of the car is enough to put a dampener on any holiday."

Sheilas' Wheels has compiled some useful tips for driving abroad:

Make sure you have the insurance cover you need when travelling abroad - always call your insurer to check the level of cover offered as standard and consider extending it to ‘fully comprehensive' before you go

Carry some identification with you at all times whilst travelling as you may be asked for it if stopped by the police. Never leave it in the car - take it with you at all times

Carry out basic car maintenance before you go. For example, make sure your oil and water is topped up, your tyres have enough tread, and so on

Remember normal safety precautions such as wearing seatbelts in the front and rear and don't use your mobile phone whilst driving

Drive sensibly and carefully as speeding and other traffic offences are often subject to on-the-spot fines

Blood alcohol levels are stricter than in the UK (0.5mg/ml in France, Belgium and Germany, rather than 0.8mg/ml in the UK). If you're driving, then don't drink