Avoid driving abroad uninsured

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With the start of the school summer holidays less than four weeks away and a boost for holidaymakers as the pound rises against the euro[1], nearly 3.4 million motorists (10 per cent) plan to drive their car to Europe this summer[2].

The research, conducted by female-friendly car insurer Sheilas' Wheels[3], reveals that 83 per cent of those driving abroad plan on heading to France, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) to Belgium and nearly a fifth to Germany (19 per cent). Alarmingly, a third (33 per cent) think that the driving rules and regulations in the UK[4] are the same as those in European countries.

In fact, almost a third (32 per cent) of motorists questioned drive illegally in Europe by not carrying a warning triangle in their car - one of the compulsory requirements when driving in France, Belgium and Germany - as well as fitting headlamp adjustments.

Furthermore, over 2.8 million motorists polled don't know the speed limits on foreign roads, with 85 per cent of those surveyed revealing that they don't know that the speed limit on a motorway in France is 130km/h[5]. Of those surveyed, three per cent admit to having been caught speeding and faced a hefty on-the-spot fine.

With 15 per cent of motorists picking up damage to their car whilst on foreign soil - be it a collision, bump, act of vandalism or a damaged windscreen - the importance of making sure that you have fully comprehensive cover for any unfortunate mishap is clear.

Alarmingly, the poll shows that 15 per cent of motorists drive abroad assuming that the cover they have for driving in Europe is the same as that which they have whilst driving in the UK, when in fact they are not, and surprisingly, only one in ten (10 per cent) actually call their insurer to check whether or not they are covered whilst driving abroad.

Motorists may think that having a Green Card[6] within their insurance documents means they're covered when driving abroad. However, this only provides proof that a motorist has the appropriate minimum level of cover required to drive in that country - which is usually only third party cover. Motorists must call their insurer to get their cover extended to the cover that they have whilst driving in the UK.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels car insurance said: "It's important for motorists looking to take their car across the Channel to call their insurer and check their level of cover before driving abroad. With the school holidays fast approaching this may be the last thing on parents' minds but it's crucial to plan ahead and get ample insurance cover for added peace of mind.

"It's also vital that motorists do their research beforehand by making sure they understand the basic rules and regulations for driving on foreign roads. Being fully prepared by planning their journeys, carrying the essential equipment and giving their car a maintenance check before setting off is also a must - especially as a breakdown with kids in the back of the car is enough to put a dampener on any holiday."

Sheilas' Wheels has compiled some useful tips for driving abroad:

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Sheilas' Wheels press contacts:
Asia Manzoor, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Niki Bolton, Corporate Communications Manager: 01737 235070
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@sheilaswheels.com

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Guardian: Boost for holidaymakers as pound rises against euro
  2. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1006 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 12th June – 14th June 2009. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adult motorists. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk Statistics based on DfT Transport Statistics – 33,956,832 motor vehicles currently licensed 2007.  10 per cent = 3,395,683 motorists looking to drive abroad this summer 
  3. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1006 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 12th June – 14th June 2009. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adult motorists. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
  4. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1010 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 2nd April – 3rd April 2008. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adult motorists. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
  5. Self-Drive Motoring holidays in France
  6. A Green Card is issued by most insurers
  7. Self-Drive Motoring holidays in Belgium

About Sheilas' Wheels:
Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including £300 handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car (comprehensive cover only), competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counselling line run by trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road rage (comprehensive cover only) and a network of female-friendly repairers. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance.

Sponsorship:
Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins: "The weather you can never choose, but Sheilas' Wheels is all good news!"