Taking Your Car Abroad, Does This Affect Your Car Insurance Premiums?

Being a resident of UK or any other country of the European Union gives you the facility of using your car insurance across all member countries. However, it is not the same if you are living in the United States. The car insurance policy that you take in the United States is applicable only within the country. When you are travelling to some other country, you have to take an overseas car insurance or international auto insurance policy that will be valid only in the country where you are travelling. Check with the laws of the country where you reside to know the validity of the car insurance in other countries. Also check the insurance policy that you have to ensure its applicability in foreign countries.

For UK Residents

Although the car insurance policy that you have in the United Kingdom can provide cover throughout the countries of the European Union, the premium that you have paid might not provide adequate coverage in other countries. All you have to do is to top up the premium if you want to enjoy the same level of coverage as in the UK. This is especially applicable if you have a comprehensive car insurance policy. But it should never be taken for granted that the insurance policy is automatically valid unless you have checked with the insurance company to ensure its validity and coverage in the country you are travelling to. But if you do not have a comprehensive car insurance in UK, it is essential to have one for other countries as it will make it easy to get the car repaired should you meet with an accident or other kind of damages including theft. Usually car insurance policies include this aspect of coverage but if it does not, you have to get it included by paying extra premium.

Ensure Proper Coverage

If you have a comprehensive insurance policy in UK that is valid in the countries of the European Union then you should know that in other countries the policy is restricted to basic third party cover. The damage caused to other cars is covered whereas you will not be covered for damages to your own car. There are some companies that provide free comprehensive cover briefly for a few days only. The repair cost of cars in the continent can be quite high and it is worth to pay some extra premium for comprehensive coverage.

Green Card

The coverage for driving in the continent has to be taken separately if it is not included in your car policy. The Green Card is an international motor insurance certificate that ensures you have the minimum insurance coverage for your car. The Green Card is mandatory for travel to countries outside the EU although you can even do without it while travelling within EU.

Whether you have a car insurance policy that is valid abroad or you have to take one, be ready to pay extra premium for the right kind of coverage that you would like to have.