Looking for Short Term European Car Insurance?
Thinking of escaping to the open roads of Europe for a holiday? Here’s a quick guide to insuring your car for a short term while driving in European countries.
Mention driving in the UK during the summer and many British drivers automatically think of tail-backs, traffic jams and crawling along behind tractors and caravans at 5 miles an hour. However, change the location to Europe and suddenly everyone feels like they’re on Top Gear envisioning picturesque open roads, autobahns and driving with the top down.
Driving holidays in Europe have a certain glamour which British drivers find very appealing. Whether you’re borrowing a convertible or sharing the driving, temporary short term car insurance is the perfect insurance solution for European travel.
Short Term Car Insurance or Adding a Named Driver for European driving?
The trouble with adding a named driver for Eurpoean holiday driving is that if there is an incident it will affect the no claims discount of the main policy holder.
Whether you’re taking your own car to Europe for a short break or borrowing someone else’s, when you take out short term insurance, be sure to mention you’ll be taking the vehicle abroad to Europe since European travel is often an additional extra.
Short term European cover is usually available from two to 28 days and some insurers will even insure up to three months.
What documents do I need to take with me?
When driving to Europe, be sure to take your passport, UK driving licence, the car’s V5C (log book) and short term European car insurance details with you when you go. If you are planning on driving in countries outside of the EU you will also need a Green Card, GB sticker on your car and an International Driving Permit which you can get from the Post Office, or the AA / RAC.
Don’t forget you’ll need European breakdown cover. Many short term European policy suppliers will let you add this to your temporary car insurance policy.
Short Term European Car Insurance – Useful FAQ’s
Yes, some insurers will provide temporary insurance to older and younger drivers, including short term European car insurance for under 21s, although it tends to be much more expensive than for over 21s.
It’s unlikely you’ll find an insurer who will cover you for driving in European countries for a short term if you’ve had your driving licence for less than a year.
Yes, on a per day basis it works out more expensive and the excess will probably be higher as well. However, if you only need to be insured for a short period, it’s still likely to work out cheaper than an annual policy.
European car rental companies generally include insurance for the car within the hire costs, however the excess for these policies can be very high in the event of a claim, for example £1,000 for minor damage is pretty standard. Because of this some people often take out ‘car hire excess insurance’, so that if they do need to make a claim, the excess is covered.
No, not to travel in most countries whilst we are still in Europe, although you will require a Green Card if you are traveling through; Belarus, Morocco, Russia or Turkey.