Warning - Insurance - motoring abroad

twohapence

Hi,

My certificate of motor insurance from a well known budget insurer states

This Certificate of Motor Insurance takes the place of an International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card) and is evidence that the insurance extends to include the compulsory motor insurance requirements of any member country of the European Union; Norway and Switzerland.

However - there is a clause in the policy wording that states that foreign travel is limited to 72 hours. If you need longer than you have to pay more.

It was only by chance that I noticed the discepancy and I doubt if I'd have been as relaxed on my two trips abroad this year if I'd known earlier. :eek:

I've contacted the company concerned asking for a swift response to clarify the level of cover provided but I do believe that the wording on the certificate is very misleading. Check your policy wording!

regards

Two

mcjordi

mine says ive got 90 days international cover but i dont drive abroad anyway so not used by me

dacouch

The Motor Certificate is a legal document and it has to state certain information and the information has to be in a certain way.

Insurance for countries that are members of the EU include the minimum level of cover in any other EU country. This is typically equavilent to our Third Party Only Cover but in some countries offers a lower amounts of cover.

If you look at the FAQs on the Swift site it does explain what you need to do when taking your vehicle abroad.

Some Insurers automatically offer the same cover in EU countries as you have in the UK (Normally subject to a certain amount of days per trip / year) without you having to contact them. A lot of the budget Insurers charge if you want the same level of cover as you have in the UK.

Under your Certificate you would have been covered for damage you had done to other people or property so were legal to drive in EU.