Car Insurance Rip-off

[kevin_374302438]

We're new to caravanning in Europe and have always hired cars for driving abroad in the past. I had thought that uk car insurance policies automatically included cover for other EU nations but apparently this isn't the case.

Sainsbury's Car Insurance have quoted us "approximately £10 a week" for extending cover to a europeon "Green Card" and a highly irritating £17.50 "admin charge" .

Mounts up for a 3 week trip and sounds like a typical complete rip-off-UK mugging to me. As an EU member I feel I should be able to drive anywhere in the EU with the cover I purchased in an EU country.

End of Rant.

Anybody any alternative arrangements or advice on this?

 

[Rioja]

Maybe they are worried that you will drive anywhere in the EU.... on the wrong side of the road, hence the extra premium ?

I agree about the admin charge though it is steep. We are with the RAC and I added overseas cover at renewal time as I knew we were going abroad this year. No extra admin that way.

 

[BeemerMal]

I'm insured with the NFU. I shop round every year for the best quotes and the NFU have always been competative, not always the cheapest, but as euro cover is included it definately works out the best deal. The NFU are also good for Caravan insurance, especially t/a vans, but this year I got a better deal from the Caravan Club.

 

[BeemerMal]

Forgot to say that the NFU are a mutual society and any profits go back into discounts on future policies.

 

[KeithJ]

High Kevin

It's a case of "horses for courses" with insurance policies. My wife's car is used for local trips and we need a basic policy for it. Why have a policy that subsidises those that travel abroad, tow caravans etc. - and Tescos (no doubt similar to your Sainsburys) is ideal for this.

My car is used for towing and long distance travel, in this country and abroad. For this I need an appropriate policy,with no limits on the time spent abroad, which is obviously not Tescos or Sainsburys, who cater for a different market.

So you need to shop around and find the right policy for your needs, asking the right questions of the insurance companies.

The same goes for caravan insurance.

Hope this helps

Keith

 

[KeithJ]

sorry I meant "Hi Kevin" !!!

 

[Jane4]

sorry I meant "Hi Kevin" !!!

Hi

We have a Car Insurance policy with the Caravan Club, it allows full European Comprehensive Cover for up to 6 months at no extra charge. The cost for the policy was no more than our previous car insurance policy, and the fact we did not have to pay extra for European cover made it cheaper.

Jane

 

[Jane4]

Hi

We have a Car Insurance policy with the Caravan Club, it allows full European Comprehensive Cover for up to 6 months at no extra charge. The cost for the policy was no more than our previous car insurance policy, and the fact we did not have to pay extra for European cover made it cheaper.

Jane

 

[Jane4]

Hi

We have a Car Insurance policy with the Caravan Club, it allows full European Comprehensive Cover for up to 6 months at no extra charge. The cost for the policy was no more than our previous car insurance policy, and the fact we did not have to pay extra for European cover made it cheaper.

Jane

 

[Jane4]

Sorry I posted this message twice! Problems with mouse!!

 

[mastermac]

NFU spot on always my best quote for insurance both caravan and car plus premiums go down every year. just got my daughter onto it. saved 120 quid. plus if you do it over a 12 month spread cost you next to nothing extra. also continental cover is included

dave mac

 

[SteveW77]

Try Saga insurance, decent price free European cover.

Steve W

 

[giovanni_5060838]

We have norwich union cover fullycomp so have identical cover

when abroad.

Some covers actually downgrade you [worth checking] but i note

my wifes punto seems not to have european cover! which i believe

is technically illegal now the EU is in full swing.

I will be checking that as i understand it is law for them to

cover you [third party only atleast]

note. to all drivers with no plates that have built in GB sticker.

Technically not legal abroad as we the UK are not signed up to

that specific agreement. not herd any stories of people

getting done while in france though, but then have seen plenty

of English cars without any GB stickers on abroad.

 

[Damian]

Taken from the Govt Website:

. If you have a Euro-symbol on your number plate (BS AU 145d standard) then you don't need a GB sticker when driving in Europe.

 

[giovanni_5060838]

Yes damian, have also seen that on the AA site, nevertheless

we are not actually signed upto that agreement.

And even if we are signed upto that agreement, [like it could

happen anytime without us knowing] It does not cover europe

but the EU, so you still need your GB sticker in switzerland

[legally] to name the nearest non member..