Overseas drivers should check car insurance

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has warned motorists to check what coverage their car insurance offers if heading to another EU member state.

While UK policies extend automatically to include the legal minimum requirements of the EU state to which the car is taken, the ABI warns that extra cover may be required.

Spokesperson Malcolm Tarling explains: "In theory you dont have to do anything, because your policy will automatically cover you."

But in practice he adds: "That doesnt necessarily mean youd be covered if your vehicle is stolen, if its broken into or if its damaged in an accident."

This, Mr Tarling asserts, is due to the fact that coverage reverts to the legal minimum required in the relevant country if a standard UK car insurance policy is used.

His comments follow the publication of research by insurer Zurich which revealed that 28 per cent of Britons do not check that their car insurance is valid before taking their vehicle abroad.