What your UK car insurance covers abroad
Before driving your car to mainland Europe, you need to check what your insurance actually covers. Failure to confirm coverage may result in being underinsured or incurring unexpected costs in the event of an incident.
UK motor insurance policies must, by law, provide at least third party cover. This is the legal minimum and pays for damage you cause to other vehicles, property or people. It does not cover damage to your own car.
Most UK policies automatically extend this minimum third party cover to other European countries. However, this may be less protection than you have at home. If you have fully comprehensive cover in the UK, you might find yourself with only third party protection abroad unless you arrange otherwise with your insurer.
Upgrading your cover for Europe
If you want your full UK cover to apply while driving in Europe, contact your insurer before you travel. Some providers may offer European cover as an add on, sometimes included free for a limited period, sometimes for an additional premium.
The cost and terms vary between insurers and policies are subject to change. Some will extend your full policy for longer trips, while others may charge a daily rate or require you to specify the countries you plan to visit. It is worth checking this well before your departure date.
When speaking to your insurer, ask them to confirm in writing exactly what cover applies and in which countries. Keep this documentation with you during your trip alongside your other driving paperwork.
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Green Cards and proof of insurance
A Green Card is an internationally recognised document that proves you have at least the minimum required motor insurance. It acts as confirmation of your cover rather than providing any insurance itself.
Since August 2021, Green Cards are generally not required for travel to EU and EEA countries, or those within the Green Card system. The European Commission confirmed that UK vehicles can travel within the EU, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland and Vatican City without one. However, you should check GOV.UK for any temporary changes closer to your travel dates.
Countries outside this arrangement may still require a Green Card. If you plan to drive in Albania, Belarus, Moldova, Morocco, North Macedonia, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey or Ukraine, check current requirements with your insurer. Given the political landscape, requirements in some of these regions may fluctuate, so verify the latest position on GOV.UK before travelling.
Even where a Green Card is not legally required, carrying one can speed things up at borders or after an accident. Many insurers will provide one free of charge if you request it.
Other things to arrange before you go
Insurance is only one part of preparing your car for European travel. You will also need:
- Your vehicle registration document (V5C)
- A valid UK driving licence
- An International Driving Permit if required by your destination country
- A UK sticker or number plates displaying the UK identifier, which replaced the GB sticker in September 2021
- Headlamp beam deflectors if your headlights dip to the left
- Country specific equipment such as warning triangles, reflective jackets, first aid kits or breathalysers
Requirements differ between countries. Check GOV.UK for the specific requirements of each country on your route, as regulations can change.
You should also know what to do if you have an accident abroad. This typically involves contacting local police where required, documenting the scene, exchanging details with other parties, and informing your insurer as soon as possible.
Give yourself enough time before your trip to gather documents, speak to your insurer and order any equipment you need. Sorting these details in advance means you can focus on the journey itself rather than paperwork at the border.
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