Will my UK car insurance cover me for driving abroad?

Key takeaways

• UK car insurance automatically gives you at least minimum third-party cover in the EU and several other European countries

• If you hire a car abroad, it normally comes with its own insurance, so check the cover you get and the excess you'll need to pay with the hire company

• Outside Europe, insurance and driving licence rules vary by country, so find out whether you need extra cover, a green card or an International Driving Permit (IDP) before travelling

Will my UK car insurance cover me abroad?

Yes, in some countries, but your full UK level of cover may not apply. All UK car insurance gives you at least the minimum third-party cover required in the EU. This includes:

• Ireland

• Andorra

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Iceland

• Liechtenstein

• Norway

• Serbia

• Switzerland

That means you have the minimum legal insurance required in those countries, but it doesn't necessarily mean damage to your own car or theft will be covered.

Check your policy before travelling to see:

• Which countries are covered

• What level of cover applies

• How many days you can drive abroad

• Whether you need to tell your insurer before you travel

• Whether theft or damage to your own car is covered

• Whether breakdown or recovery cover is included

Can I drive my own car to France, Europe or further abroad?

Yes, you can drive your own car to Franceand other European countries, and your UK car insurance will usually provide at least the minimum third-party cover required in the EU and several other European destinations.

However, your full comprehensive cover may not automatically continue at the same level, so it’s important to check your policy before you travel.

If you're driving to France or elsewhere in Europe, your UK insurance typically covers you in EU countries, as well as places like Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, but only for the minimum legal level of cover in those countries.

This means damage to other people or property is covered, but your own vehicle may not be fully protected unless your policy specifically includes it.

For trips to France or Europe, if you're taking your own vehicle abroad for less than 12 months, you should also take your vehicle log book (V5C) and insurance certificate with you.

Your UK-registered vehicle must remain taxed, insured and have a valid MOT where one is required.

Will my car insurance cover me outside Europe?

It depends on your destination and insurer. UK car insurance policies don't automatically give you the same protection worldwide, so check your policy and the driving requirements for every country you'll travel through.

Outside the countries where UK insurance automatically provides minimum third-party cover, you may need:

• Additional vehicle insurance

• A green card to prove you are insured

• An international driving permit (IDP)

• Extra vehicle or customs documents

Do not assume that an IDP or green card gives you extra insurance - an IDP relates to your driving licence, while a green card is evidence that you have vehicle insurance.

If you're planning a longer road trip, check every country on your route rather than only your final destination - the UK government website provides individual travel and driving advice for countries around the world.

What about driving in Asia or further abroad?

Driving requirements vary considerably outside Europe - for example, the UK government website currently lists a 1949 IDP for Japanand a 1968 IDP for Thailand, while requirements in the United States can vary by state.

You should check your destination separately for:

• Whether your UK licence is accepted

• Whether you need an IDP

• Whether your UK motor insurer covers the country

• Whether you need extra local insurance

• Any documents or equipment you must carry

This also applies if you're driving through several countries to reach your destination.

What insurance do I need if I hire a car abroad?

A hire car abroad normally comes with insurance from the rental company, so you usually won't rely on your standard UK car insurance to cover the vehicle.

Check your hire agreement carefully to see what's included and what excess you would need to pay if the car were damaged or stolen.

The hire company might also ask for a DVLA licence check code when you collect the car.

For more help with rental insurance, deposits and collecting a car overseas, read our guide to hiring a car abroad, while you can also read our guide to hire car excess insurance if you're concerned about the excess charged by the rental company.

What if the car is hired or leased in the UK?

If you're taking a vehicle abroad that you've hired or leased in the UK, you'll need a VE103 vehicle-on-hire certificate to show that you have permission to use it overseas. This is different from hiring a car after you arrive abroad.

Can I drive abroad with my UK licence?

Yes, in many countries. If you have a valid UK photocard driving licence, you do not need an International Driving Permit to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

If you have a paper licence, or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, different rules may apply.

Outside Europe, whether your UK licence is enough depends on the country and sometimes the length of your stay.

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in some countries. An IDP supports your UK driving licence when you're driving overseas, and you must carry your licence as well as the permit. There are three types:

• 1926 IDP

• 1949 IDP

• 1968 IDP

The type you need depends on the country. If you're travelling through several countries, you may need more than one type.

Requirements can change and hire companies might have their own additional rules, so check the current UK government guidance before travelling.

An IDP currently costs £5.50 and can be obtained in person from certain shops with PayPoint.

Do I need a green card to drive abroad?

Not in most European countries - you don't need a green card to drive in the EU, including Ireland, or in Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland.

You may need one in other countries, including:

• Albania

• Azerbaijan

• Moldova

• Turkey

• Ukraine

• Israel

• Morocco

• Tunisia

A green card is proof that you have vehicle insurance, but it does not increase the level of cover provided by your policy.

If you need one, contact your insurer. It may be posted to you or supplied as a document you can print yourself. The UK government website recommends allowing up to six weeks if you're waiting for one by post.

What documents do I need to drive abroad?

If you're taking your own UK vehicle abroad, you'll usually need your driving licence, V5C log book and insurance certificate - depending on your destination, you may also need an IDP or green card. For your own car, check that you have:

• Valid UK driving licence

• Vehicle log book (V5C)

• Motor insurance certificate

• Passport

• IDP if required

• Green card if required

If you're taking a vehicle hired or leased in the UK, you'll need a VE103 certificate instead of relying on the V5C.

You may also want to carry details of your breakdown and travel insurance, although these do not replace your motor insurance or vehicle documents.

What driving rules should I check abroad?

You should check the driving laws for every country you're visiting before you set off - rules on speed limits, drink-driving, vehicle equipment and emissions can differ from those in the UK. Depending on the country, you may need:

• Reflective jackets

• Warning triangles

• Headlight converters

• Winter tyres or snow chains

• An emissions sticker or permit

• A UK vehicle sticker

Some permits need to be arranged before you travel, so don't leave the country checks until you reach the border.

Do I need a UK sticker?

It depends on your number plate and where you're driving. You generally won't need a separate UK sticker if your plate already displays the UK identifier with the Union flag.

However, you must display a separate UK sticker in Spain, Cyprus and Malta, regardless of what's shown on your number plate.

You do not need a UK sticker when driving in the Republic of Ireland.

Do I need breakdown cover abroad?

Your standard UK breakdown policy may not cover you overseas, so check before travelling. European breakdown cover can provide help if your vehicle breaks down while you're travelling in Europe, but the exact countries and services included depend on the policy.

Check whether your cover includes:

• Every country on your route

• Roadside repairs

• Recovery to a garage

• Onward travel

• Accommodation or car hire

• Returning your vehicle to the UK if it cannot be repaired

If you're travelling outside Europe, check directly with your breakdown provider rather than assuming European cover applies worldwide.

How can I compare car insurance for driving abroad?

If you plan to drive overseas, check international cover when you're comparing car insurance rather than assuming all policies offer the same protection. Look at:

• Countries covered

• Level of overseas cover

• Maximum trip length

• Total number of days allowed abroad

• Excess

• Breakdown cover

• Whether you need to add or upgrade cover

With MoneySuperMarket, you can compare car insurance policies and choose the price and cover that suit your needs.