Motorists 'may not have comp cover in Europe'

Motorists who are planning to drive through Europe are being urged to double check their insurance policy before they head out.

The AA is warning British drivers that within EU member states they will have third party cover, but that they will not necessarily be comprehensively covered abroad.

Ian Crowder, public relations manager at the AA, said that while some insurance firms provide 90 days free comprehensive cover in Europe, others will not automatically cover a vehicle for free.

"Some don't provide it for anything up to 90 days … and some don't provide comprehensive cover in Europe at all," he said.

"If you do have an accident when you travel abroad [and you have comprehensive cover], you'll find that … you've got the expense of getting your car removed and so on, which wouldn't be covered by your insurance if you haven't extended your comprehensive cover to drive in Europe."

Figures from the RAC Foundation show that three million British drivers head to the continent by ferry and the channel tunnel each year.