European breakdown cover generally gives you a lift or tow if you require it and this makes everything easier, but before you call your insurance company, you first want to contact the local authorities from the scene of the accident. This is critical because the company that has insured you needs police reports to work with and they need you to prove that you’ve acted within the law’s regulations. After you contact the police, then you need to start gathering information about the accident and getting in touch with those who insure your car. Take photos if you can and make sure you get license plate numbers, insurance details and contact information for all parties involved.

It is a good idea to purchase your foreign breakdown cover online because when you do so you are bound to get not only a great price, but a company website with tips on other things you can do to prepare for an accident in advance.

While most people know about collision coverage or even bodily injury coverage that helps cover your medical bills, it is important to take stock of the reasons why you might want to get comprehensive coverage for your car overseas.

- Vandalism is a common occurrence all over the world. If your car gets damaged by a malicious person who will pay the bill?

- Flooding, strong wind storms and hail can deal huge damage to a vehicle. Are you prepared to cover the costs of these acts of nature?

- Car theft happens more than we like to admit. If your car is stolen what will you do?

- Social upheaval often leads to rioting. What will you do if you find yourself the victim of an angry mob and your car gets destroyed?

There are many more reasons to consider comprehensive international insurance. The easiest way to find more information is only a click away online.

Although the speed limits in Italy are roughly the same as the UK the fact is that most Italian drivers regard speed limits as a rough guide. You’ll probably find that there is a lot more tail gating in Italy but you shouldn’t worry too much because European and especially Italian drivers usually know what they are doing.

The drink drive laws in Italy are a lot tougher than the laws covering alcohol and driving in the UK. If you get stopped by the traffic police and you are under the influence of alcohol then you could face a hefty fine and even a jail sentence. Rather than go accidentally over the limit, if you plan on driving each time you go out in Italy then don’t drink, otherwise get a taxi back to your holiday accommodation. The Italian authorities are also a lot tougher when it comes to wearing seat belts, if you get stopped and you or your passengers are not strapped in then again, you could face a hefty fine. When you get into your car make sure that everyone has fastened their seat belts before you drive off.

For starters, you do not want to drive anywhere together without decent foreign motor insurance. If there is one thing that will derail a couple’s blissful whirl across an exotic locale, it is a breakdown alongside the road. You will have enough logistics to figure out together without needing to fret over what happens if you find yourselves involved in an automotive emergency.

This extra cost may seem to cut into your travel budget but if you research thoroughly, you can find ways to reduce the costs of your coverage. Many people do not know this, but if a couple registers the female as the primary driver then the rates will be lower as women are considered a lower risk to insure. You will also have an easier time saving money if you select a smaller vehicle which costs less to insure and offers the added benefit of fuel efficiency to save you money over the long haul.

Do not be afraid to ask for extra discounts because you never know until you look into it and you can learn plenty online.

While you should have fully comprehensive insurance and European breakdown cover no matter what part of Europe you drive through, you should make certain that you have it in Italy. When the roads are as packed as Italian roads and you are not sure of the local customs. It is all too easy to have a minor accident. If the car in front of you comes to a sudden halt and you drive into the back of it, your ignorance of driving conditions will not alter the fact that you are at fault. If you are only covered for third party fire and theft and your own vehicle is damaged then you could find yourself with a large repair bill.

Although though most car rental firms in Italy will have fully comprehensive insurance on their vehicles it is always possible that you could pick one that doesn’t. Don’t even contemplate a rental agreement that only offers third party fire and theft as you could find yourself with a hefty bill if you should have an accident while driving through Milan.

There is plenty to see in Milan and it is regarded as one of the top cities for shopping in Europe, if not the world. You should take time to visit the Santa Maria dell Grazie, a museum that holds Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper. You should also make sure that your rental car has European breakdown cover while you are driving through Italy. It really can be quite expensive if the recovery people have to come a long way to get you and your vehicle. Check that you have this cover if you don’t want to find yourself with a hefty bill at the end of your holiday.

Many Britons drive through Europe thinking that the breakdown cover that they have at home will suffice while they are driving through Italy, but this is not the case. Unless you have European breakdown cover then recovery charges can really set you back, especially if the breakdown vehicle has to drive a long way to get you. Sometimes cars break down totally and have to be shipped home, which could cost you hundreds of pounds.

One of the problems for foreign drivers in Italy is that they don’t have proper knowledge of the rules on driving and parking in Italy and this puts them at a distinct disadvantage. It is always a good idea to find out as much as you can about driving in another country, before you actually go.

You will feel much happier about driving abroad if you have fully comprehensive insurance. Whether you are driving through the cities or trying your best to get up one of the narrow mountain roads without going over the edge, you’ll feel more confident if you know that you are fully covered. You should visit your car insurer before you begin your driving trip, as they will be able to tell you what sort of insurance cover you will need for the trip. Most insurers will recommend that you take out European breakdown cover and comprehensive insurance for the time that you expect to be in Italy. If everything goes according to plan then you won’t need to claim on either of these policies, but if the worst happens and you are not covered then it could cost you a great deal of money to put right. Wouldn’t you rather pay that small monthly premium rather than find yourself with a bill for 20,000 euros to pay for any damage.

Some car rental agencies will provide drivers with full cover insurance when they are driving through Italy but you should read the rental agreement’s small print before you sign. Rental agencies sometimes provide third party fire and theft insurance only. If you do happen to have a mishap and don’t have full comp insurance then you could find that the insurance will only pay for damage to the other car and the other driver’s medical expenses. You could then find yourself with a hefty bill for repairs or the total replacement of the rental car, make sure you read the small print to cover yourself.

Just because you have breakdown cover at home does not mean that you have breakdown cover in another European country. You should check about breakdown cover with the rental agency as you should find that you are presented with a hefty bill for roadside assistance and vehicle recovery. Once you have settled that you are properly insured and covered to drive through Italy you should have a much more enjoyable driving holiday in Italy.

Ten years or so ago it was possible to drive to somewhere like Italy and find yourself on the only driver on a tiny mountain road. Nowadays, you are just as likely to be stuck bumper to bumper on a country road in Italy as you are in Britain or America. One thing that you really do need to check up on before heading off to the continent is whether you have adequate insurance cover. There is nothing worse than to accidentally bump the back of another vehicle and then find that you are only covered for damage to the other person’s vehicle and not to your own.

You may have fully comprehensive insurance at home, but this will not cover you in Italy or any other country in Europe. EU law states that insurers are only liable for third party fire and theft unless you buy extra cover for driving through Italy. If you want to drive but don’t want to take your own car, then you might consider renting one. While most rental agencies will state that you have full cover, it is always a good idea to read the small print as you may only be covered for third party fire and theft.