European Car Insurance

How do I get car insurance with European cover?

If you’re planning to drive your car in Europe, you’re going to need short term European car insurance. The good news is if you have a comprehensive policy, driving in Europe is usually included. But the cover is probably different to what you have in the UK.

European car insurance is typically equivalent to Third Party Only cover, but some insurers may provide you with the same amount of cover you have in your policy. Most usually give you the option to top up your cover to the same level for a small charge.

Do I need to do anything before I drive my car in Europe?

Yes, first of all check what your car insurance includes, do you need to notify the insurer before you go? Are there any additional charges? We also recommend you do the following:

• Check if the country you’re driving in requires a Green Card

A Green Card is an insurance certificate that is internationally recognised. It can take up to five days to issue one of these, so if you’re with esure we recommend you contact us as soon as you know you need one. Please note we charge an administration fee for this. Along with your Green Card you should also have a copy of your Certificate of Motor Insurance to hand while you’re away

• Research your destination’s road signs before you go

If you’re going to be driving in another country you’ve never been to before, it would make your experience much smoother if you research the local road signs. There are plenty of resources online where you can do this

• Learn the law of the land

European countries can vastly differ in terms of what they expect you to do to comply with their motoring laws. Some require you to carry certain driving supplies on board with you, such as France where you can be fined for not having a high visibility vest in your car

What does esure temporary European car insurance cover?

If you’ve got a policy with us, the European cover you’re entitled to is up to 90 days, and is the same as a third party only insurance policy. If you would like to top up your cover to match the same level of cover you already have with us be it third party fire and theft or fully comprehensive just let us know and we will do that for you. But please note that if you have a UK third party fire and theft policy you can’t upgrade to a fully comprehensive policy when you go abroad!

What European countries will esure cover?

A bit of advice before you set off

• Save your insurer’s claims number in your phone, so you can reach them quickly if you need to
• Remember to pack your Certificate of Motor Insurance, and if required, Green Card. These will be the most important documents you’ll need when making a claim. Don’t leave home without them!