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Millions of us take our cars on holiday every year to save the hassle and expense of flying, but will your insurance cover you?
These days, it seems we don’t only enjoy holidaying in Europe with family and friends; an increasing number of us choose to drive there as well. It’s estimated that around three million people take their car to the Continent each year and the trend is definitely upwards. Remembering to drive on the right side of the road is important, but so is having the correct insurance.
Car insurance you can count on from Saga
Whether you’re buying a new car or looking to get new car insurance, Saga offers three Comprehensive cover levels, which are all Defaqto 5 Star rated. Saga Plus comes with a 2-year fixed price, if nothing changes. 99% of claims paid in 2025. Trusted by over 1 million drivers.
What the law says
Whatever the level of car insurance you have in the UK, all insurers have to provide the legal minimum insurance – which is normally only third-party cover – if you take your car to a country that’s a member of the European Union.
The same applies to a limited number of other European countries that the UK has an agreement with (such as Iceland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). However, you still need to take the correct documents as evidence that your car is insured.
Comprehensive cover
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy and are travelling in Europe, don’t assume that your insurer will automatically give you the same level of cover once you leave the UK: many will not.
That said, some policies will give comprehensive cover free of charge within most EU countries (and sometimes a limited number of non-EU ones as well), as long as you tell the insurance company before you travel.
With these companies, coverage is normally free for between 30 and 45 days, but you should check with your provider. Other policies may only insure your car on a comprehensive basis free of charge for two or three days and charge extra if your holiday is longer.
Some insurers, however, charge a premium for all comprehensive cover outside the UK. The amount you pay may be a flat fee or linked to the length of your stay, the type of car you own and the country you are visiting, so make sure you read the small print carefully.
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Do I need a Green Card?
In the past, you had to take a Green Card (a special form provided by insurers) if you took your car abroad as evidence that it was insured, but these days your insurance certificate is all you need if you are travelling within the EU.
Some other countries, including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, will also accept your car insurance certificate alone.
However, if you are travelling around Eastern Europe and visiting non-EU countries, you may find that a Green Card is compulsory. If you need one, contact your insurer. They’ll either send you a Green Card, which usually takes up to 6 weeks to arrive, or they’ll let you know how to download a Green Card to print off yourself.
Breakdown cover
If you look carefully, you can find car insurance policies that include breakdown cover while you’re driving abroad – but they are in the minority. If yours doesn’t, you may be able to upgrade your existing breakdown policy or buy a standalone one.
As with car insurance, the level of cover you get will vary. Some policies have lower claim limits than others; some will arrange for your car to be transported home if it cannot be repaired while you’re away, while others will only pay for you to go back and pick it up.
It’s a good idea to make sure your car has been serviced regularly as you may be asked for evidence of this if you have to make a claim.
Insurance if you’re hiring a car overseas
When you hire a car abroad rather than taking your own car, you usually get insurance as part of the rental price, but many car hire insurance policies impose an insurance excess of several hundred pounds.
The excess is the part of any insurance claim you must pay yourself, so if you cause any damage to your hire car or have an accident, you could potentially face some eye-watering bills.
However, it is possible to buy a standalone car hire excess insurance policy for a small additional premium to cover this cost. Find out more in our article Your guide to buying car hire excess insurance.
Saga Car Insurance is a Which? Best Buy
Saga Plus and Saga Select cover levels top the Which? Best Buy car insurance comparison table. Saga Standard is up there too, so you know whichever you choose, you’re making a great choice.
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Car insurance you can count on from Saga
Whether you’re buying a new car or looking to get new car insurance, Saga offers three Comprehensive cover levels, which are all Defaqto 5 Star rated. Saga Plus comes with a 2-year fixed price, if nothing changes. 99% of claims paid in 2025. Trusted by over 1 million drivers.
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