The member countries of the European Union have easy access across national borders and may also work in member states. However, each country still has its own, as well as European law and customs, and these include those related to motoring, and particularly to auto insurance.

The UK has been part of the European Community for more than thrity years yet UK drivers who think that their motor insurance will cover them when driving on the continent could find themselve in trouble. In most of Europe the British driver is not completely covered and some British insurers are saying that anyone who is considering a drive across Europe should have European auto insurance as well as their British insurance.

If you plan on driving through Europe then you should be aware that your car insurance will only give you limited cover, enough to meet the legal requirements (although Italy is a bit tougher on this) but may not be covered for accidents and breakdowns and even theft. More than a quarter of British motorists driving in Europe just assume that their car insurance will cover them whilst out of the UK. If they have a collision with another vehicle when driving on the continent all that is covered are the other person’s loss, their own car is not insured because British policies are third party only in Europe.

You should inform your insurance company if you plan on driving in Europe as they will advise you on the particularities of the countries in which you plan to drive. British insurance companies will usually advise their customers that they should take out European auto insurance alongside their UK insurance. The cost of car insurance in Europe is often determined by the rate of accidents in a country. You should check the cost of European auto insurance in the countries you plan to visit as premiums vary considerable between one country and another.