Don't drive abroad uninsured
- 4.3 million motorists are planning to drive their car to Europe this summer
- 84 per cent of motorists break European driving regulations
- Nearly half a million Brits don’t know the speed limits of foreign roads
Despite a general tightening of purse strings across the UK, over 4.3 million motorists plan to drive their car to Europe this summer - but for shorter weekend breaks[1].
The research, conducted by female-friendly car insurer Sheilas’ Wheels[2], reveals that nearly half (49 per cent) of all motorists are swapping air travel for car journeys when heading to European destinations as it’s much cheaper. Over 1.5 million (6 per cent) motorists will be driving to Europe for a day trip or long weekend.[3]
Alarmingly, the poll shows that 15 per cent of motorists assume that they are automatically covered for comprehensive cover to drive abroad, but are still happy to drive on foreign roads regardless. Furthermore, almost a fifth of motorists (18 per cent) would just rely on checking their insurance documents to see if the cover was valid outside the UK. 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[4] 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 fully comprehensive and flag-up that they’d be taking their car into Europe - in case they need to make a claim.
Top five concerns motorists have whilst driving abroad:
- Being involved in an accident (67 per cent)
- Driving on the opposite side of the road (49 per cent)
- Not being able to ask for directions in a foreign language (46 per cent)
- Getting lost on unfamiliar roads (41 per cent)
- Unfamiliar traffic rules and regulations (40 per cent)
The research also revealed that 38 per cent are worried about not being able to understand road signs.
With one in ten motorists (10 per cent) sustaining damage to their car whilst on foreign soil - be it a collision, bump or a damaged windscreen - the importance of making sure that you have fully comprehensive cover for any unfortunate mishap is clear.
Surprisingly, nearly a third (33 per cent) think that the driving rules and regulations in the UK are the same as those in Europe countries and over half (57 per cent) of motorists 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 having headlamp adjustments and displaying a G.B. sticker[5].
Over 3.6 million motorists don’t know their speed limits on foreign roads, with 84 per cent of those surveyed revealing that they don’t know that the speed limit on a motorway in France is 130km/h[6]. If caught speeding they could be faced with hefty on-the-spot fines.
Jacky Brown at Sheilas’ Wheels car insurance said: "When planning to take a car to Europe, it is crucial for motorists to call their insurer and tell them that they want to extend their level of cover for driving abroad.
It is also vital that motorists understand the basic rules and regulations for driving on foreign roads and be fully prepared by planning their journeys, carrying the essential equipment and giving their car a maintenance check before setting off."
Sheilas’ Wheels has compiled some useful tips for driving abroad:
- Make sure you have the insurance cover you need for travelling abroad - always call your insurer to extend your cover before you go
- Carry some identification with you whilst travelling as you may be asked for it if stopped by the police. Never leave it in the car - take it with you at all times
- Carry out basic car maintenance before you go. For example, make sure your oil and water is topped up, your tyres have enough tread
- Remember normal safety precautions such as wearing seatbelts in the front and rear and don't use your mobile phone whilst driving
- Drive sensibly and carefully as speeding and other traffic offences are often subject to on-the-spot fines
- Blood alcohol levels are stricter than in the UK (0.5mg/ml in France, Belgium and Germany, rather than 0.8mg/ml in the UK). If you're driving, then don't drink
- Contact your breakdown cover provider to get your cover extended to cover you whilst abroad
- ends -
About Sheilas’ Wheels comprehensive car insurance:
- Handbag cover - provides up to £300 of cover for handbags and its contents if stolen from the car
- No claim discount (NCD) up to a maximum of 75% - policyholders with 5 years or more NCD immediately get a 70% discount and can then earn an extra 1% discount per year for the next 5 claim-free years with Sheilas’ Wheels.
- Motoring legal protection - for an optional £21.99 policyholders receive up to £50,000 of cover for legal assistance to help them recover uninsured losses.
Terms and conditions apply to Sheilas’ Wheels car insurance
Sheilas’ Wheels press contacts:
Asia Manzoor, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@sheilaswheels.com
An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.
Notes to Editors:
[1] Statistics taken from "How Europeans go on Holiday" Eurostat 2006. There are over 25,342,105 motoring policyholders in the UK (ABI 2006)
[2] 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 http://www.icmresearch.co.uk
[3] Sheilas’ Wheels offers 3 days automatic cover whilst driving abroad
[4] A green card is issued by most insurers
[5] Unless the UK registered vehicle is displaying a Euro-plate, which shows a circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on a blue background
[6] http://www.driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving.inc
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 Weather: "Whether skies are grey or blue, Sheilas’ Wheels could cover you."
