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Car Insurance Abroad
Europe is a strange and scary place, they drive on the wrong side of the road
and the police seem to take an unhealthy amount of pleasure in checking you
out as soon as it becomes clear that you are British. Don’t give them
the excuse of not having any car insurance. Before you go, check your insurance,
license and breakdown cover are all valid whilst abroad, if you need European
breakdown cover just ask your insurance provider whilst you are checking you
insurance policy.
It will be worth your while to get your car checked before you go. Then you will
need to go shopping, as you'll need recent maps, a warning triangle, a spare
set of bulbs, a first aid kit, and probably a fire extinguisher. Check local
laws as well; if you are driving in Spain you are required to have a spare pair
of glasses if you wear them normally and in Greece having a spare petrol can
is illegal.
The other thing you need is to do is check out the laws,
speed limits, and road signs in the countries that you are visiting and passing
through. Most speed limits are different, and there can be high penalties for
breaking them. Beware if you are in France as French police can prosecute speeding
on evidence taken from the time it is taken you to get from one autoroute tollbooth
to the next. Also in France, anyone caught traveling at more than 25km/h above
the speed limit can have their license confiscated on the spot. Some of the laws
are stricter than ours, be aware that Drink Driving laws are different as well,
again in France their laws are more stringent those in UK.
Common sense applies too: some roads signs are bound to be different, be especially
careful to check out what their traffic lights mean, especially the flashing
amber. Of course, sometimes locals don't keep the laws, but make sure that you
do, as some countries give on the spot fines, that can be up to £100. Also,
be aware that local customs may be different, someone flashing their lights in
Italy doesn’t indicate they are letting you through, it means they are
going. You can see the problems…
In some European countries toll roads are more common than in the UK, so always
carry some spare change with you in your car, and be aware of the countries that
require permits to drive on the toll roads. Always keep an eye on your petrol
tank, running out of petrol is not fun at the best of times, especially in a
foreign country, but in Germany it's illegal to run out on the Autobahn. Trust
the Germans to have their unflinching cool written into their laws: it is an
offence to make derogatory signs or use abusive language on the roads, so keep
a calm head.
The most obvious difference is that driving in Europe is on the right, meaning
that you need to be constantly aware where you are looking. Also your mirrors
will give you different blind spots, roundabouts will be the wrong way, and pulling
out, especially from parking, will be hazardous. Always look left! Never let
your guard down, and beware especially when getting off the ferry as most accidents
happen then. If you keep in mind all of these things and have a decent car insurance
policy you should be fine.
Try Holiday Autos for car hire.
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