One in ten motorists have had a collision while driving abroad

New research from Aviva reveals that almost one in seven motorists have had an incident abroad with over one in ten (11%)² experiencing a collision while driving overseas, and a further 5% admitting to receiving a fine.

However, with almost a fifth of motorists (19%) planning to drive abroad this summer, Aviva research reveals that those taking their own cars abroad are ill-prepared for the rules of the road at their holiday destination.

Over a quarter of drivers (26%) do not think travellers need to take their driving licence when they drive abroad and over a third (37%) don’t think a copy of their insurance policy is necessary. This is despite both being classed as an essential piece of documentation when driving abroad, indicating there to be a knowledge gap when it comes to the rules of the road.

There also appears to be a lack of awareness of insurance requirements for motoring Brits. Over a fifth (21%) do not know whether their insurance provides automatic cover overseas and worryingly, one in seven (14%) believe policies provide this cover as standard. Although all UK insurance policies cover customers on a third-party basis when driving abroad, most policies require motorists to purchase additional foreign use cover if they intend to use their own car abroad.³

Jodie Graham, Head of Motor Claims at Aviva, comments: “With almost one in five (19%) planning to drive abroad, it’s concerning to see how many drivers do not fully understand the driving rules outside the UK and whether they have the appropriate level of insurance.

“Not only does this mean that they may be travelling with insufficient cover, it means that they could also be risking a hefty fine, which in some countries could be as much as €1500 for speeding. Taking five minutes to brush up on your knowledge and read your policy documents could save you thousands of pounds in the unfortunate event you received a fine or unfortunately had an accident.”

Aviva’s top tips for driving abroad include:

1. Review your policy documents. Never assume you have the same level of cover of insurance when driving abroad and always read through your policy documents to understand what level of cover you have in place. In some cases, you may need to let your insurer know of any plans to drive abroad.
2. Consider upgrading. Although all UK insurance policies will automatically cover you on a third-party basis, this will only cover the damage to the other person’s car and compensation costs, should they be injured. Some insurers will offer ‘overseas or foreign use cover’ - as well as European breakdown cover - as an optional extra, which you can usually add onto your policy for a fee. It’s also worth noting that some policies will cover customers for a maximum of 90 days, so if you plan to drive for longer contact your insurer to see if you can extend your cover.
3. Double check your documentation. Typical documentation required when driving abroad includes a valid full UK driving licence, proof of car insurance, proof of ID (such as a passport) and the vehicle’s log book.  Requirements will vary from country to country so check before you leave. If you haven’t already, it’s also worth taking out travel insurance, which is designed to protect you from an unforeseen event.
4. Pack the essentials. Depending on the country you are visiting, there may be certain items that you need to keep in your car. Reflective jackets and warning triangles, for example, tend to be compulsory in most countries. For those heading to France, motorists need breathalyser kits and may  need a clean air permit stickers – otherwise known as a Crit’air sticker – which is a legal requirement in some regions.
5. Brush up on the law. Before entering a country, take the time to familiarise yourself with the driving laws and general rules of the road. Whether it’s speed limits, parking fines, seatbelt rules – especially if travelling with children - or more practical elements such as lights and tyre requirements, you could save yourself hundreds, if not thousands of pounds should you receive a fine, break down or unfortunately have a driving incident or collision.

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References:

^{1. The research was conducted by Censuswide with 2,003 national rep general consumers (18+) between 06.03.24 - 12.03.24. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.}

^{2. Combining ‘Yes – I had an accident but it was the other driver's fault’ and ‘Yes – I had an accident and was at fault’}

^{3. Driving myths include:}

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