• Half UK motorists drive abroad without checking their insurance
• 46% of motorists break European driving regulations
• Over half a million Brits don’t know speed limits of foreign roads

With 3.5 million motorists planning to take their car across the Channel this summer, new research out today from motor insurer, esure.com, highlights that over half of UK motorists drive abroad without checking their insurance*. With the World Cup only ten days away, esure.com offers tips on how to prepare football fans for their drive abroad.

The poll shows that half of motorists don’t think they have full UK insurance cover abroad, but are happy to drive on foreign roads regardless. Alarmingly, 6% think that their travel insurance will automatically cover their car whilst abroad – which is never the case. The research also revealed that:

• Only one in ten would call their insurer to check their insurance was valid before they hit the road
• 27% would just rely on checking their insurance documents to see if the cover was valid outside the UK

Motorists may think that having a Green Card** within their insurance documents means they’re covered when driving abroad. However, this only provides proof that a motorist has the appropriate minimum level of cover required to drive in that country – which is usually third party cover only. Motorists must call their insurer to get their cover extended to fully comprehensive and flag-up that they’d be taking their car into Europe – in case they need to make a claim.

With 315,000 motorists having sustained damage to their car whilst on foreign soil – be it a collision, bump or a damaged windscreen - the importance of making sure that you have fully comprehensive cover for any unfortunate mishap is clear.

Surprisingly, 46% of motorists are driving illegally when in Europe, by not carrying a warning triangle in their car – which is one of the compulsory requirements when driving in France, Belgium and Germany – as well as having headlamp adjustments and displaying a GB sticker***.

More evidence suggesting that Brits abroad aren’t clued up when they’re behind the wheel, is that over half a million motorists don’t know their speed limits on foreign roads. 43% don’t know that the speed limit on a town road in Belgium is 50km/h****. If caught speeding they could be faced with hefty on-the-spot fines, which could impact their insurance in the UK.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure.com, said: “It is crucial for motorists who intend to take their cars to Europe to call their insurer and tell them that they want to extend the level of cover they have for driving abroad.

“It is also vital that motorists understand the basic rules and regulations for driving on foreign roads and be fully prepared by planning their journeys, carrying the essential equipment and giving their car a maintenance check before setting off.”

Tips when driving abroad to see the World Cup

• Make sure you have the insurance cover you need for travelling abroad – always call your insurer to extend your cover before you go.
• Carry some identification with you whilst travelling as you may be asked for it if stopped by the police. Never leave it in the car – carry it with you at all times.
• Carry out basic car maintenance before you go. For example, make sure your oil and water is topped up, your tyres have enough tread and that your brakes are not wearing thin.
• Remember normal safety precautions such as wearing seatbelts in the front and rear and don’t use your mobile phone whilst driving.
• Drive sensibly and carefully as speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.
• Blood alcohol levels are stricter than in the UK (0.5mg/ml in France, Belgium and Germany, rather than 0.8mg/ml in the UK). If you’re driving, then don’t drink.

Useful phrases for World Cup fans