Travel insurance for self drive to France

donna1979

I am currently booking a week away in an airbnb in France. We will be driving in our own car, staying overnight in Dover then morning ferry across. I have sorted quotes for just normal travel insurance but hubby has now put doubts in my mind about that we might need something specific! I will be getting European breakdown cover and will let our car insurance know closer to the time. Am I right that just a normal / basic cover id fine? I'm following Martin's advice of doing insurance early too

benjus

Check whether your car insurance provider gives you only the minimum legal level of cover while in Europe or the same cover as you have in the UK. While all policies give you enough cover to drive legally, some automatically give you the same level of cover as at home, while others drop it to the minimum and require you to buy full cover as an add-on if you want it.

donna1979

Thanks - I will check with them.

NoodleDoodleMan

Go to the experts - the AA or RAC for guidance.

knightstyle

A lot depends onyour age, we are both in our 70s and now do not take out insurance, relying on our EHIC cards. In France this means paying to see a doctor, about 22€, and for medication. BUT all emergency treatment will be free.

donna1979

NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »

Go to the experts - the AA or RAC for guidance.

I'm not referring to breakdown etc - I'm meaning usual holiday insurance. Health / cancellation / theft etc. For the actual journey / car maintenance / car accident we have breakdown separate.

donna1979

knightstyle wrote: »

A lot depends onyour age, we are both in our 70s and now do not take out insurance, relying on our EHIC cards. In France this means paying to see a doctor, about 22€, and for medication. BUT all emergency treatment will be free.

We are 39 and 42 but will have 12 and 13 year old with us - quotes are only £30 for the week so don't mind paying - just wondered if there was something extra we may need!

knightstyle

OK, the best thing is an insurance that tops up the EHIC scheme. Just make sure you all have current EHUC cards and show them when, hopefully never, you require treatment. You may have to pay the doctor in advance and claim back, also hospitals give two bills, one for the treatment and the other for "housekeeping" which is food etc. you have during the stay, often this has to be paid and claimed back as well.

Gloomendoom

knightstyle wrote: »

OK, the best thing is an insurance that tops up the EHIC scheme. Just make sure you all have current EHUC cards and show them when, hopefully never, you require treatment. You may have to pay the doctor in advance and claim back, also hospitals give two bills, one for the treatment and the other for "housekeeping" which is food etc. you have during the stay, often this has to be paid and claimed back as well.

Who do you claim back from?

knightstyle

You claim back from your top-up insurance.
We have claimed some expenses in France through their CPAM office using our EHIC, but you need to spend time on it and need to speak French.

Kynthia

When I've driven to France I've informed my car insurance and paid the extra if some European days at fully comp weren't included. Then I'd buy the relevant roadside assistance, which will bring the car back to the UK if needed. Both of those were after I'd booked holiday insurance. Finally I would ensure my car contained all the things legally required to drive in France such as hi-vis jacket, triangle, breathalyser, etc.

I suppose one thing to check could be whether the insurance covers consequential loss. If the ferry is cancelled for day would it reimburse you the accomodatiom you didn't get to use?