Driving around Europe is very popular among British holidaymakers, but if you’re planning to drive abroad it’s important to check you have the correct car insurance documents
The short answer is yes – provided you have asked your insurer for a green card to prove your UK car insurance is valid and up to date.
The UK has left the EU but in most cases you can drive in Europe without needing an international drivers’ licence. You need a green card and you must display a GB sticker on your vehicle.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), any domestic UK car insurance policy which provides the legal minimum coverage for travel in countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) is still valid for driving in Europe - provided holidaymakers are travelling with a green card.
A green card is a certificate of insurance issued by a UK insurance provider that guarantees a motorist has the necessary third-party insurance to travel in Europe.
Your insurer won’t issue you with a green card automatically - you’ll have to apply for one. Allow at least six weeks to apply before you travel. If you travel without, you could face a fine or prosecution, and perhaps have your vehicle impounded.
For drivers based in Northern Ireland, a green card will be necessary if you cross the border into Eire.
You’ll need to get in touch with your insurer – it’s best to do this sooner rather than later if you have a planned trip coming up. The green card is free, but be aware there might be an administration cost to issue the document – this will vary from provider to provider.
According to gov.uk, every UK car insurance policy comes with at least the minimum level of third-party cover that’s required for driving in the EU.
But keep in mind that even if you have a fully comprehensive policy in the UK, some insurers will automatically drop the cover provided for Europe to third-party only – which means if you have an accident, your insurance will cover the damage to the other cars, but not your own.
Other insurers will keep the UK level of protection in place, so if you have a fully comprehensive policy in the UK, it will follow you across Europe.
Most countries in Europe are covered by a standard car insurance policy – but some aren’t, such as Switzerland, Vatican City, Turkey and Russia. Always check your policy to make sure the European country you’re planning to travel to is covered.
You may want to increase the level of insurance cover you have for peace of mind, particularly if you only have third-party insurance. Driving in an unfamiliar country can be nerve-wracking enough thanks to different infrastructures, rules, and driving on the other side of the road – without worrying about how much cover you have.
Having an accident when driving in another country can be particularly stressful, as you might not be familiar with the local language, or how the authorities handle car accidents. For example, you might be expected to pay an instant fine, which you’d need to pay with cash.
Increasing your insurance cover can therefore make driving abroad far less stressful, and you can be reassured that if anything happens, you’ll be fully covered and won’t have to fork out for unexpected expenses, such as emergency repairs to your car.
If you do decide to increase your level of cover, simply contact your insurer, let it know where you’re headed and what level you want to be insured for.
If you’re planning to drive your car abroad, it’s a good idea to check: When it comes to renewing your car insurance, comparing quotes is the best way to get a good price. You can compare cheap car insurance quotes using MoneySuperMarket’s comparison tool, and it’s always worth checking the policy results and policy documents to see how insurers handle driving in Europe, and the level of cover each policy would include. If you already have car insurance, you should check your policy before taking your car to Europe, and increase the protection provided if necessary.
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