Your Guide to Driving Abroad In the event of an incident please call us immediately so we can help. 0333 234 0012 or 0333 234 6003
1 Your Guide to Driving Abroad What to do and know before you travel outside of the UK Driving in a foreign country No matter your driving experience, there is a first time for everything and European driving is likely to be something most people will not do on a regular basis. The first couple of days driving in another country will seem strange, but it should not feel daunting. Driving in your own vehicle will always be an advantage, as you are familiar with the controls. However, one thing to remember is UK vehicles are not set up to drive in foreign countries. The steering wheel is already on the wrong side of the vehicle and your view is slightly more obscured and different from those driving left hand vehicles, so drive with due care and attention at all times. Before leaving the UK There are a few things we recommend you plan ahead with, to ensure you have a pleasant and safe journey. Before you leave the UK, ensure your vehicle is serviced, get the air conditioning, lights, tyres and brakes into a good working condition and ensure all fluids are topped up. Ensure the vehicle is equipped with all the necessities for the countries you are driving into. Each country has specific requirements, be sure to check these before you leave; however, it makes sense to take a European Touring Kit. Adjust the vehicle s headlamps to comply with European regulations, and remember to display a sticker on the rear of the vehicle to show where it s registered. Don t overdo things; plan your journey wisely. Try to avoid being faced with rush hour traffic when you first arrive in Europe and drive with caution. By the time you head off to see the sites you should be familiar with some of the challenges that come with European driving. Remember to take your time and pay more attention to other road users, especially on roundabouts and when joining an empty road. Take special care when changing lanes on motorways and make good use of the vehicle s mirrors. Always signal when making any manoeuvre, overtaking or pulling back into a line of traffic. Don t stay in the centre of overtaking lanes, especially if you have no intention to overtake in the first place.
Your Guide to Driving Abroad 2 What to do and know before you travel outside of the UK (cont.) What to take This is general advice on what to take when driving overseas; you are responsible for checking the full requirements for each country you plan to travel in before you leave the UK. We recommend you take the original and two copies of all the below documents in case you need to hand any over, in the unlikely event of an accident. Driving Licence - in most countries you need to have this with you at all times when you are behind the wheel of any vehicle. Vehicle registration certificate (V5C) - take the original V5C for your vehicle. If you are taking someone else s vehicle be sure to have written permission from them to take their V5C. Vehicle insurance - we offer European cover on all policies (please check your Certificate of Motor Insurance to see which countries are covered); therefore you only need to take your Certificate of Motor Insurance, which will cover you for up to 90 days travel. Should you exceed this then you will need to call Customer Services beforehand for an extension of up to 12 weeks. Passport - make sure you take a valid passport, preferably within six months of its expiry date after you depart Europe back to the UK. Breakdown cover - be fully prepared for any breakdown, after all your vehicle is about to cover a long distance. Breakdown insurance will not cover you in the event of an accident; the cover you have for accidents mirrors the motor policy terms and conditions. Accident Statement Report Form - this is an agreed statement of facts, and once signed, is in most cases legally binding. Most European drivers carry these in their vehicle and each country s lay-out is identical. It is recommended you take the English version with you, along with a version for each country you will drive through. Therefore, if you only speak English and need to communicate with someone in French, having both an English and French version will assist with any dialog between you and in recording the correct accident circumstances. You can download an Accident Statement Report Form here: www.cartraveldocs.com/ Medical and travel cover - anyone travelling in the EU should obtain a European Health Insurance Card. This covers most medical treatment within Europe and can be found online. Further medical cover for more specific needs should be sourced before travel. Your vehicle s European cover with us is exclusive to the vehicle and not its passengers or driver; it is therefore recommended you have adequate Travel Insurance in the event that onward travel and overnight accommodation is required. You should now be ready to enjoy your driving journey to Europe. Last but not least don t forget to take your camera to record those special memories!
3 Your Guide to Driving Abroad What to do in the event of a European incident IMPORTANT In the event of a European incident call our dedicated Claims Department on 0333 234 0012 or 0333 234 6003. Incidents happen - Here s what to do next 1. Keep calm and assess the situation Incidents are stressful, but don t worry! First, make sure you, your passengers and your vehicle are safe. Try and take stock of what has happened. Who else was involved? Is anyone injured? Your safety is paramount; only do so if it s safe. Note: You are driving in a European country governed under their law. 2. Call the emergency services if necessary In some European countries the involvement of the emergency services in a road accident is mandatory and they will also stipulate the type of recovery your vehicle will need. In some cases, the Police will want to recover the car to a local recovery yard before we can assist you. In most European countries the emergency number is 112 although please check before you go. Note: Most GSM mobile phones have pre-programmed emergency numbers which instantly connect to the local services regardless of the prefix number you dial. 3. Take photos Take photos only if it s safe to do so. It will help if there are photos of the accident with a clear view of all vehicles involved including your own. Be sure to include the registration number for each vehicle involved and it is recommended you take the photos at least 2-4 meters away so we see a clear image of what happened and where each vehicle is situated. Note: If you ve had an accident involving a HGV take a photo of both the driver s cab and trailer as each of these have different insurance policies.
Your Guide to Driving Abroad 4 What to do in the event of a European incident (cont.) 4. Obtaining details In the event of an accident, it s important to take the details of everyone involved. There is a lot of information you need to take, especially as you are in a foreign country, including the other driver s name, vehicle details, insurance details, contact numbers, witnesses, location etc. You can download an Accident Statement Report Form here: www.cartraveldocs.com/ 5. Call and let us look after you Call us on 0333 234 0012 or 0333 234 6003. Our claims handlers are experts in their field and will go that extra mile to get the best result for you. If your vehicle is driveable and road legal in the countries you are visiting, once you have reported the incident to us, continue to enjoy your journey. Should the vehicle be nondriveable we will advise you what to do next when you report the incident to us. Please do not authorise recovery, repairs, repatriation or disposal of your vehicle without our consent.
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