By law, British auto insurers must cover your car for the minimum coverage required by the law in other European countries or the minimum coverage required by UK law, whichever is higher.
Most of the time, this means that you'll have at least Third Party coverage no matter where you drive your car. There may be special rules that apply, though, and you should talk to your insurance company to find out about any limits or rules on your policy. These are some of the most common limits and rules about driving your own car abroad that you will find in UK policies.
Damage to your own car is not covered.
Even if you have collision coverage at home, many insurance companies will only pay for damage to other cars if you are driving abroad. Talk to your insurance company or broker about extending your policy to cover damage to your car caused by fire, theft, or an accident while you are travelling abroad.
No breakdown cover when travelling
Even if you pay extra for car insurance that covers you while driving your car overseas, you won't be covered if your car breaks down on the side of the road. Your insurance company may be able to cover you if you break down outside of the country. However, you may get a better deal on breakdown cover if you buy it with your vacation insurance or even with your home insurance.
Advance notification required
Some car insurance companies want to know ahead of time if you are going to take your car abroad. If you don't tell them, and you get into an accident, you may only have coverage for third parties. Check your policy to see how much notice your insurer needs for you to drive your car abroad and still be covered by your policy.
Limits on car insurance in other countries
Some high-end auto insurance plans cover you fully overseas for up to a certain amount of time, usually 30 to 90 days, without charging you extra. They still need to know ahead of time if you want to extend your coverage, but as long as your trips are shorter than the time limit, you won't have to pay more. Make sure to find out if your policy has any restrictions while you are abroad. Most of the time, only repairs will be paid for. You'll have to figure out how to get there, rent a car, and stay somewhere else.
Advice on How to Take Your Car Abroad
Check to see how much coverage your car insurance gives you if you are going to be driving abroad.
Talk to your insurance company about getting a Green Card. In most European countries, the Green Card is an easy way to show that you have health insurance.
Get your own breakdown insurance. Most auto insurance plans don't cover breakdowns that happen in other countries. But if you have separate breakdown insurance at home, check that policy. Some plans may cover you for free for short trips abroad.
Get a European accident report form from your insurance company and keep it with you. Most will give you one for free. It's a good way to write down information about an accident while you still remember it.
Because thieves like to steal foreign cars, you should take steps to make it hard for them to steal yours. Always lock the doors, and don't keep your car insurance or proof of ownership in the car. Instead, keep them on your person.