Don’t get caught short when driving abroad this summer
Driving abroad can be the perfect way to see a foreign country. A car gives you the freedom to travel at any time and can take you places that public transport can't.
Summer holidays are fast approaching and the number of British holiday makers that will be taking their vehicles abroad is set to increase.
When travelling abroad drivers can be more vulnerable compared to the familiar surroundings of everyday driving. For many drivers, hours in the car have already passed even before venturing into foreign country. That combined with foreign road signage, different styles of driving and the excitement of being on holiday can result in disorientation and mishaps.
Personal line insurance brokerage, Be Wiser Insurance, is urging drivers to take care when travelling abroad with their own car this summer:
“If you’re taking your car with you on holiday, it’s a good idea to start preparing for your trip several weeks in advance,” said Mark Bowden-Dyke, chairman of Be Wiser Insurance. “You can potentially lose thousands of pounds if you are not totally informed on the type of insurance cover you are going to need when you are driving in another country.
“About a month before you set off, check exactly what you’re covered for. You automatically have minimum third-party liability cover when driving in the European Union and some non-EU countries but most people want the same protection they have in the UK. Check that your policy covers you for theft, fire, damage and personal liability. If it doesn’t cover all these, it’s advisable to upgrade your policy.
“For longer periods of time, check how many days you are covered for abroad. It’s usually 90 days but some policies only cover you up to 30. You also need to be sure that you’re covered for the countries you’ll be driving in - your car insurance provider can advise on the countries their policy covers.”
Be Wiser has put together a whole host of tips on taking your own car abroad so you can be safe on the road and enjoy the ride:
Before you travel, be sure that your insurance is all in order so you are not stuck without cover in a strange country
Make sure your car is in good working order and has recently undergone a service
Research the rules of the road in the country you are travelling to
Take a detailed map and plan your journey in advance. Familiarise yourself with the scale of large countries
Display a GB sticker on your car
Try to avoid long journeys that will tire you out and share the driving with a travel companion so that you can take regular breaks
Wear a seatbelt at all times
Be extra cautious - foreign drivers may drive differently
Take a warning triangle and florescent jackets for all travellers in case you have an accident - it's a mandatory requirement in certain countries
Many European countries have strict and specific requirements for hazard warning equipment that must be held in the cabin of the car. Full details can be found at: fco.gov.uk
Apply headlamp converters if you will be driving on the other side of the road so you don't blind other drivers
Check out the drink drive limit of the country you are going to - the legal drink drive limit is much lower than the UK in some countries
Carry your driving licence and passport with you at all times - traffic police may wish to see them
For more information, visit bewiser.co.uk.