Roadtripping Britons Urged To Take Precautions

British motorists looking to drive their vehicles abroad should exercise caution before hitting the road.

Such is the assertion of Sainsbury’s Car Insurance which reports that unless drivers take steps to make sure that they have adequate cover before going on a foreign driving holiday then they could face a costly repair bill. According to the firm, just under a fifth (17 per cent) of people are planning on taking their car overseas during the next 12 months. Overall, France was indicated as being the most popular destination for a foreign driving break, with some 4.58 million motorists looking to take their vehicles to the European country over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, 1.89 million are set to hit the road in Ireland, with 1.7 million going on a trip to Germany. Spain, Italy and Belgium were also shown to be sought-after locations for drivers.

In addition, it appears that consumers are looking towards a comprehensive journey, with about half of all those going abroad predicting they will drive for more than 1,000 miles while away, meanwhile 19 per cent are expecting to drive between 501 and 1,000 miles.

However, before setting off to hit the road for Paris, Rome, Berlin or any other European destination, the financial services firm not only advised motorists to get fully comprehensive car insurance but also to get in touch with their provider to let them know of their intentions to go away prior to their departure. It was reported that although many insurers provide cover for driving on the continent, policyholders are required to notify them that they are going to do this. Should this not happen, Sainsbury’s reported motorists could see their cover downgraded to only incorporate third party, fire and theft.

For those consumers who do not have an adequate policy while on their trip abroad it may be possible they have to dip into their own pockets in order to meet the cost of repairs to their vehicle following a breakdown or theft. This could have an impact on their ability to manage loans, plastic cards and mortgage repayments upon their return to Britain.

To minimise the chances of getting into difficulties while away, the firm advised drivers to plan their route carefully and to check the motoring legislation for the countries that they will be going through. In addition, checking tyre pressure and brake fluid levels before departing was also recommended.

Joanne Mallon, car insurance manager for Sainsbury’s, reported: “When going on holiday, most people will remember to take travel insurance but we are concerned that some motorists are overlooking the need to ensure that their car journey is fully covered. Having an accident anywhere is bad enough but when abroad it can be compounded by a lack of local knowledge; to then find that the other party’s damage is covered, but not your own, is surely a blow worth avoiding.”

Those consumers looking for an effective way to finance a trip abroad may discover that obtaining a personal loan is recommended. And for those wishing to buy a car to take to the road for an adventure on the continent, a low cost loan may not only help with purchasing a vehicle but also to get a comprehensive insurance policy. Borrowing for the means of getting a car could also be recommended, as a recent Experian study showed a fifth of males are prepared to go in to the red in order to get a set of wheels.

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