Fancy a tour round Europe this autumn? Going on holiday in the comfort of your own car is always fun, and of course driving round in the EU means you don’t need to worry about border crossings all the time – there’s so much freedom. Of course there are a few things you need to think about before you hit the road. They’re not expensive or difficult, but they might be if you forget them.
Breakdown Cover
Whether you’ve got a brand new Toyota, or a ten year old Alfa Romeo, the chance of breaking down is always there. It’s bad enough when it happens on your morning commute, it’s worse if it happens when you’re hundreds of miles from home in Europe, but nothing is quite as stressful as it happening when you don’t have cover. Calling someone out on the spot when you’re not a member of a breakdown company can mean paying a huge wad of cash, so prepare in advance. Always check your current policy for European cover if you’ve got one, but cover for single trips is always available.
Driving in Europe
Insurance
Similar to breakdown cover, being caught without insurance can mean major financial hardship, and is generally illegal too. The vast majority of policies these days will come with some form of European cover, but again it is essential to check before you go. There can be certain stipulations and requirements, and remember that your insurer will often look for a way out of paying up. The UK has the safest roads anywhere in the world, so it’s not exaggerating to say that you’re more likely to have an accident while away than at home.
Driving Culture
Driving is different wherever you go. Some places will be similar to home, but others will be very different indeed, so it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research before you go. In many places for instance, zebra crossings don’t work in the same way as they do in the UK, and you can turn right on a red light. Finding out speed limits is a good idea too. Everyone knows about the autobahns in Germany, but you might be surprised to find out that most of them actually have a posted speed limit. On the ones that don’t, you can still get in trouble for going too fast if the police think that you’re driving dangerously. Be in the know.
