If you plan on travelling to Europe this year and driving your own car while you are there then you should have European breakdown cover. Many people think that because they are covered in the event of breakdowns at home, that this will be enough when they are in Europe, but this is not the case. If you think it’s a problem breaking down in your own country just imagine the problems it could cause if your were travelling in Europe and without European car breakdown cover.

When you vacation abroad and you want to make a driving holiday of it, then you need to check with whoever provides your breakdown cover insurance. Sometimes the holder of the policy may also provide breakdown cover. What most people don’t seem to understand is that breakdown cover, where mechanics attend at the scene, get you somewhere for the night and then go off and fix the car, often only covers them if they breakdown at home.

If you only intend to visit one European country and drive around that, France say, then you only need to find out about the driving laws and European auto insurance in that particular country. Should you decide that you want to undertake an extended tour of Europe then things can be more complicated. When you cross European borders then you should carry not only your domestic licence and your international licence, but an auto Green Card. Green card insurance will give you a basic level of insurance cover in quite a few named European countries.

When you intend to drive across a number of different countries in Europe then it pays to have a Green Card auto insurance policy that you buy in Europe. However, you should be aware that the Green Card regulations on cover may exclude certain European countries, so you need to check out the list before you buy. Don’t be discouraged if this is the case as it is possible to buy add on protection with your European Green card.

When you plan to drive through Europe on your vacation then there are a number of things regarding your auto insurance that you should check out before you leave home. Purchasing European auto-insurance can be quite expensive and may sometimes be cheaper if it is purchased in Europe. You should try to ensure that you have as much cover as possible when driving abroad. If you are involved in a collision or your vehicle breaks down miles from anywhere, not only could it be extremely inconvenient, it could burn a massive hole in your credit card.

There is no better way to see a country than to drive through it. When you travel by train it is all too easy to miss some of the best scenery and architecture on the route. Many Americans who decide to take their vacation in Europe and drive around the continent know little about European auto-insurance, or the fact that not all European countries have the same rules regarding driving and insurance.

In the UK, breakdown cover can vary enormously from one provider to another. Some policies include limited European breakdown cover and if you need full coverage then you might want to up your premium payments. There are a number of UK insurance companies, (you should be able to get a list from the consumer council or do some research online to find out which) that refuse to give drivers European breakdown cover. It is really important that you check your position with whoever is providing your breakdown cover if you plan to do any driving in Europe.

An increasing number of American families now take their vacation in Europe. It is possible, but expensive, to have your car flown out too if you want to drive around Europe. A better bet is to book yourself a car with a rental agency before you fly out and preferably when you book your flights and accommodation. Austria is a country that requires non-European residents to carry an International Driving Permit or IDP along with their personal driving identification.

Poland’s roads are not quite up to European standard yet and certainly not up to American standards so you may want to take it steadily as there are plenty of potholes and uneven road surfaces. When you get your car from the car rental agency the documentation should tell you what you are covered for when you are driving through Poland. You should go to see your insurance advisor before you start out on your trip as they will be able to tell you about special documentation such as the Green Card for non-European drivers. They should also advise you about the CDW or collision damage waiver.

A lot of drivers are a bit confused as to the different insurance cover rules that apply in most of Europe and if you don’t check things out then you could find yourself in trouble. There is nothing worse than being stranded in an area you don’t know where no-one is around, but your breakdown cover usually means that you know your vehicle will be recovered and returned safely, and you will be given safe passage home.