Earlier than you begin packing up the automotive to drive to mainland Europe, there are a few issues to think about – particularly insurance coverage, breakdown cowl, and the way you’ll pay for any tolls.
All UK automotive insurance coverage insurance policies mechanically give third-party cowl whereas in EU international locations, plus a couple of others, together with Switzerland. Nonetheless, most individuals will need to take their complete cowl with them, which means they could want to speak to their supplier. Loads of insurers, amongst them LV=, mechanically embody driving elsewhere in Europe for as much as 180 days with their complete cowl. Different insurers will give as much as 30 days’ complete cowl however it’s usually a rechargeable add-on. Examine your coverage and prime up if required.
In terms of breakdown cowl for mainland Europe, the primary query to ask is: are you already lined? Lease vehicles are sometimes lined by the producer’s breakdown cowl that often applies to the entire of Europe. Many UK breakdown insurance policies and automotive service plans mechanically embody the remainder of Europe as nicely. Nationwide’s FlexPlus present account consists of whole European breakdown cowl, and so do another paid-for accounts.
A automotive at a toll sales space on a French freeway. {Photograph}: Sami Sarkis/Getty Photographs
If in case you have no different cowl and you want having the peace of thoughts, two weeks of normal cowl will usually set you again £30 to £80.
A Examine the Market comparability of insurance policies for a 2017 automotive spending two weeks in mainland Europe in August carried out this week discovered the most cost effective £31 coverage was from Nova Direct. This compares with the £80 that the AA wished to cowl the identical journey, whereas the RAC wished £82.
Until you could have a super-reliable automotive that has not given you any issues, we might most likely keep away from the most cost effective suppliers. Rescuemycar.com has affordable insurance policies for £44. Inexperienced Flag insurance policies are well-regarded and mid-price possibility. One other agency to think about is AutoAid – a earlier Guardian Cash favorite. It wished £47 for 17 days’ cowl in mainland Europe for its Euro Rescue cowl. Chances are you’ll discover the premium is cheaper through a comparability website than by going direct.
It at the moment prices about €110, or £95, to drive from Calais to Good in tolls alone
When shopping for such insurance policies, remember that some firms set age limits on the vehicles lined – some 10 years, others 15. They usually additionally is not going to get better a automotive to the UK if that might value greater than the automotive’s worth – one thing to consider if you’re planning a protracted journey in a low-value automobile.
If you’re planning a protracted drive in France, don’t neglect to consider the price of motorway tolls, and the way you intend to pay them.
It at the moment prices about €110, or £95, to drive from Calais to Good in tolls alone. A lot is product of signing up for the Télépéage automated toll cost companies however except you’re planning loads of journeys, we might choose to pay as you go – paying by bank card on the automated cubicles.
For instance, the Sanef Télépéage comes with loads of upfront and ongoing prices, which means it arguably gained’t be value it for these making a single annual journey, though you do get to beat the queues at busy intervals.
