Newly qualified driver in Europe

Stonker

Iceweasel wrote: »

Yes - that's the wording that needs to be queried with them.

What does full European cover actually mean?

You may find that they mean it covers you in all EU countries + N & CH.

That could be 3rd party only.

If it means your comprehensive cover is extended to EU + N & CH then that's fine.

UK insurance companies are very imprecise with their use of the word 'European'.

No UK company that I know of will cover Albania, Bosnia & Hercegovina or Montenegro. Many will not cover Serbia.

You are going on a simple skiing trip and not venturing that far afield - but for the price of a phone call I would advise you to be absolutely sure of the level of cover they are providing outside of UK.

I organize adventure trips to the Balkans and inspect the participants documents carefully before setting off.

Every time some folks get a big surprise and have to weigh up the risks of continuing.

Enjoy the pistes.

It is valid advise and I will check. I did read somewhere that it was EU law that an ins co must provide the same levelof cover throughout the EU but I'm not so sure that's true

Ultrasonic

One other legal issue is the requirements to fit winter tyres in some european countries, have you looked into this?

Iceweasel

Stonker wrote: »

It is valid advise and I will check. I did read somewhere that it was EU law that an ins co must provide the same levelof cover throughout the EU but I'm not so sure that's true

I think that you'll discover that it's not true.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-abroad

What they must provide is the minimum level of cover for all EU countries.

Hopefully your ins co is one of those who extend your fully comp policy to the EU.

Just as an aside - check the validity of your EHIC as well - I've found several folks who didn't realize that theirs had expired.

Probably because it lasts 10 years they forget about it.

Stonker

Ultrasonic wrote: »

One other legal issue is the requirements to fit winter tyres in some european countries, have you looked into this?

I don't think it applies to foreighn vehicles. I'm pretty sure that's the case in Germany

Iceweasel

Ultrasonic wrote: »

One other legal issue is the requirements to fit winter tyres in some european countries, have you looked into this?

For winter tyre advise the best site is this one:

http://conti-central.co.uk/winter-tyres/winter-driving-laws-across-western-europe/

Iceweasel

Stonker wrote: »

I don't think it applies to foreighn vehicles. I'm pretty sure that's the case in Germany

Sorry but the rules not applying to foreign registered vehicles is another misconception. See the link I posted.

dacouch

Stonker wrote: »

It is valid advise and I will check. I did read somewhere that it was EU law that an ins co must provide the same levelof cover throughout the EU but I'm not so sure that's true

The European law is basically that you can drive your European registered car in any EEC country and have at least the minimum level of cover on that country.

Basically the unless your Insurer offers anything different you get the equivalent of our third party only or possibly lower.

Some Insurers include a certain amount of days cover for the same level of cover you have in the UK free of charge and some will charge to provide this

Stonker

dacouch wrote: »

The European law is basically that you can drive your European registered car in any EEC country and have at least the minimum level of cover on that country.

Basically the unless your Insurer offers anything different you get the equivalent of our third party only or possibly lower.

Some Insurers include a certain amount of days cover for the same level of cover you have in the UK free of charge and some will charge to provide this

90 days I believe but I will check

Ultrasonic

Stonker wrote: »

I don't think it applies to foreighn vehicles. I'm pretty sure that's the case in Germany

Not true I'm afraid, see here:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/winter-tyres-and-snow-chains.html

Iceweasel

Stonker - as you're heading for Austria, not only do you need to have winter tyres - but they need to have at least 4mm of tread on them.

The Polizei do check - they cruise around in Autobahn services and car-parks in towns. They can spot a non winter tyre very easily.

Unlike in Germany the fact that there might not be any snow at the time they check is of no importance.

"The law you have broken and pay you must.