If you plan on driving through France and you live in the United Kingdom or other European country then you should check just what insurance cover you have. If you only have third party fire and theft then a collision could be a disaster, especially if you are driving a rental car. Most rental car companies do not insure the driver if there is a collision, this means that the other driver’s costs are covered but yours are not. A collision, without the proper insurance, could mean that you have to pay for a replacement car as well as your medical expenses if you are injured.

In most European countries you will receive roadside assistance if you break down but this is not the case in France. The police may attend a breakdown if it happens on the motorway but they will not come to any other breakdown spot. Most UK drivers, who take their own car with them, mistakenly think that the breakdown cover they have at home will cover them if they are driving in Europe, but that is not the case. You should check before you go abroad whether you have European breakdown cover, if you haven’t then you need to get it. If you break down in France without cover then not only will you be left on a dark and unknown road, you will also have the expense of getting yourself and your vehicle back to the UK

You can get short term European breakdown cover for a month or two that will cover you for your stay in France. Most policies provide phone lines with English speaking operators so you can explain your position and get roadside assistance. Many policies will get your vehicle shipped back home if they cannot get it fixed in situ. If you are a long way from your holiday accommodation then the insurance may also cover you for an overnight stay close to where you have broken down.