UK Ripoff "European cover"

tunalic

Last time I looked Britain was in europe, so why do our insurers get away with the idea of charging a premium for driving in other countries?

My colleagues in France and Germany just laugh when I mention it, as of course their insurance covers all europe. ( this of course invalidates the right/left hand drive argument)

"it makes me so angry!"

T

tinkerbell84

tunalic wrote: »

Last time I looked Britain was in europe, so why do our insurers get away with the idea of charging a premium for driving in other countries?

My colleagues in France and Germany just laugh when I mention it, as of course their insurance covers all europe. ( this of course invalidates the right/left hand drive argument)

"it makes me so angry!"

T

i "think" that europe is defined in 2 ways. there's the european CONTINENT (which we are not part of) and then the group of countries that is POLITICALLY tied together (which we are).

many insurance policies include european cover anyway, so i don't understand why you are so "angry".

lolarentt

I wouldn't dream of paying extra for driving in Europe - we tend to change insurers every year chasing the best quote ( 2 cars so x 2!) so have been with many companies over the last 10 years or so but never been asked for a premium for driving on the continent. Sometimes they like you to tell them when you are taking the car abroad. From my days of having a 'company car' I recall there used to be something strange about driving in Spain, but I can't remember what it was!

tunalic

Thanks for the quick reply TB, but I think you missed the point, and at the same time illustrated a way of thinking that companies depend upon in the UK.
We're not talking geographics, we're talking risk, UK companies load it, France, Germany do not.
Your answer illustrates why they load it, its because the UK consumers accept these terms, this is what makes me so angry (in a steve wright in the afternoon 'mr angry from Purley' kind of way)
T

tunalic

Hi Lolarent
must shop around more then on renewal then!
I think Spain used to require a bail bond clause to get you out of the jail they put you in till you could prove cover.(perhaps we should try that here?)
T

tinkerbell84

like lolarentt, i've never had to pay for european cover.

you can't compare france and germany to the uk. the laws are different! look how many brits don't know the rules of the road in britain - what are the chances of them knowing the rules of the road in other countries?!

have you ever seen an american negotiating a roundabout? :eek:

tunalic

Of course you can compare them they're European and our neighbours and ruled by Brussels like us, the rules are so similar as to be no different.

I've found two roundabouts in the USA, one in Kansas MO and the other in San Fransisco, luckily neither are on busy roads. Yes its scary!

tinkerbell84

tunalic wrote: »

Of course you can compare them they're European and our neighbours and ruled by Brussels like us, the rules are so similar as to be no different.

I've found two roundabouts in the USA, one in Kansas MO and the other in San Fransisco, luckily neither are on busy roads. Yes its scary!

We are not 'ruled by brussels' :rolleyes:

lisyloo

tunalic wrote: »

We're not talking geographics, we're talking risk, UK companies load it, France, Germany do not.

The lack of cover will be factored into UK premiums.
So UK premiums will be relatively LOWER because this is not included.

I personally do not want it automatically included (thanks) so I am happy to pay less to not have it.
Those that want it should pay extra and not expect people that don't drive on the continent to cross-subsidise them.
So I am personally happier with our countries charging model.

its because the UK consumers accept these terms, this is what makes me so angry (in a steve wright in the afternoon 'mr angry from Purley' kind of way)
T

Serious question.
What would you have us do??

We cannot go uninsure because it's illegal (and immoral).
Are you suggesting protests, boycotts, letters of complaint or what?

It's a serious question because we are not at liberty to demand any pricing model from businesses.

If this were a discretionary product we could vote with our feet, but unless you are prepared to break the law and be highly irresponsible the you cannot go without insurance (unless you go without a car).

BTW - I think 3rd party insurance often is included so presumably you are talking fully comp.

Barlow

Does anyone know which insurance companies in the UK would cover me to take my car abroad for more than 90 days at one time?
Thanks.

Inactive

Barlow wrote: »

Does anyone know which insurance companies in the UK would cover me to take my car abroad for more than 90 days at one time?
Thanks.

Saga, if you are over 50.

365 day European cover included.

Co-op will as well for a very small premium