To obtain a European car insurance one doesn’t need to be a resident of Europe. Usually, a Certificate of Motor Insurance is sufficient. However, European Residence makes the process much simpler. It also makes it that much easier for your car not to get impounded if it was to get involved in a road accident in Europe. Since we are on this subject, remember that Europeans drive on the left side of the road, and that may take a little getting used to. Most car insurance companies will be able to help you with one, on request. A green card serves as an international badge or as proof of insurance hence, it is recommended for you to possess one.

The cost normally soars a little bit when the vehicle is taken abroad. However, you can opt for temporary cover, to ensure that your budget falls back in place after the visit. Your insurance company should be able to give you the details on the nuts and bolts of how much you will be stretching your cover if you were to drive around in Europe. Usually there is a change in the breakdown cover because the cost of replacement of automobile parts varies in different countries.

European auto insurance does not always come with legal or breakdown insurance unless it is specifically asked for. You will surely need to look around a little bit before you can zero in, on an affordable European car insurance option.

About a week before you set out for Europe; remember to get the car serviced. Since you will be using the vehicle more than you do normally, ensure that your mechanic services it accordingly. Some repair mechanics also help you adjust the car headlights, as it would be preferred in Europe. What you spend on your European car insurance can be recovered through the fuel cost because petrol in Europe in fairly inexpensive.

There are basically two types of insurance cover. Firstly, there is the temporary cover which is ideally suited to holiday makers and people going on short visits. Then there is the more comprehensive cover which is specifically for people intending to stay in Europe for extended periods of time.

Some insurers will automatically offer comprehensive European car insurance cover for up to 90 days, valid in all EC countries with no requirement that the motorist must inform the insurer the intended dates of travel. This is ideal for holiday travellers and perfect for short business trips. Other insurers will want to know beforehand the date of travel and the duration of the trip. They will also inform you of the amount of free European car travel insurance cover you are entitled to and what additional cover is available.

Some companies will charge a little extra for comprehensive insurance including European breakdown cover. Something to be aware of, the cost of recovering a vehicle outside of the UK especially when there are no suitably equipped garages nearby to service the car can be extremely expensive. For instance, Auto parts in Europe for cars with right hand drives are not commonly available and the cost of returning a car to the UK could run into several hundreds of pounds.

One important document you will need to take with you and your insurer will provide is the ‘Green Card’, although this is no longer a legal requirement when travelling in Europe it can make life so much easier in the event of an accident. The green card is internationally recognized and confirms that you have the minimum level of car insurance coverage.

Finally if you do intend to spend more time in mainland Europe and require a longer term insurance cover it may be worth considering an international car insurance policy. Speak to your insurer, they will be able to advise you which policy would be best suited to your needs.