Last year I drove to France and obtained a Green Card from Direct Line, as I was told that without it my comprehensive cover was reduced to third party cover on the continent.
I've since been told by a friend that the sole purpose of a green card was to prove to the authorities that you have at least third party cover. Direct Line still insist that the comprehensive cover drops off in Europe without the card (for which they charge over £20!).
This is potentially worrying, as I'm sure many people will purchase Euro breakdown insurance but assume that their UK level of insurance cover remains just that. Apparently not so; you may get the car repatriated, but if the accident is down to you the prospect of a very substantial bill looms...
I take it this may be common for all motor insurance, so hopefully not falling foul of naming and shaming as Direct Line have been excellent.
Any views or experiences?
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I recall this has been done before earlier in the year (search the Forum for info) but a quick summary of my experience:
Norwich Union modified car policy via Adrian Flux; fully comprehensive cover anywhere in Europe for up to 90 days at a time, without a Green Card. Take policy document instead. This is handy, as I am driving to CZ in a month's time and the V70 will then be left there along with the missus and babies for five weeks whilst I fly back to the UK to work.
The only stipulation to get this cover is that I notify NU via the broker in advance of the trip.
If I don't, and simply go, cover is reduced to third party.
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This is handy as I am driving to CZ in a month's time and the V70 will then be left there along with the missus and babies for five weeks whilst I fly back to the UK to work.
Ok, ok, I'll come clean as the forum search will also reveal the truth here:
... "whilst I fly back to the UK to work, as well as take a motorcycle touring holiday to the south of France, via Millau Bridge, with some buddies who also have a pass-out for good behaviour" ;-)
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Prompted by you starting the thread, I just called Bennetts motorcycle brokers to inform them and my insurer (Groupama) that I'm taking the Hornet to France in June.
No probs.
Same response as given for the car, above.
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Compny car insured by Summit - Copy of certificate is fine, lease co do not stipulate any more and it is their car.
Never been away for more than two weeks.
Direct Line might be different!
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What is in the small print of your policy?
dvd
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MoreThan Policy (from online PDF) says: (my bold)
If the level of cover shown in the schedule is Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft or
Third Party Only, you automatically have cover A, which is shown below, whether or not
you tell us you are visiting a country in the European Union.
You can only get cover B if you tell us you are going on a journey abroad and we agree to
provide the cover.
A EUROPEAN UNION EXTENSION
Limited liability cover - this extension provides limited cover and does not cover loss or
damage to your car.
Section 1 will provide cover while your car is in a country which is a member of the
European Union (or meets the insurance laws of and is approved by the EU). The cover is
limited to that which must be provided under the Road Traffic Law of the country you visit.
B FOREIGN USE EXTENSION
If you pay an extra premium, we will give you a Foreign Use Extension which will extend
section 1 to provide full cover (under its terms) for the time your car is in, or is being
transported to or from, any country covered by the Foreign Use Extension.
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As mentioned above - it depends on the policy.
I was with Direct Line and had no complaints except that for fully comp insurance abroad I had to inform them and get green card. Up to 3 days it was free but over that was £15 a week. We nip over to France a few times a year and this added up. I switched to Saga recently because the basic policy was £40 a year cheaper and they said I did not have to pay extra for comp insurance when going to France for up to 90 days. My wife insures with Hastings which is very cheap but has to pay extra for comp insurance for the one trip a year we take to France in her car.
Check the small print or give them a ring.
--
Phil
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Just checked the wording of the DL policy which does indeed state that the the policy 'provides the minimum cover you need by law to use your car in the EU'.
Doesn't exactly spell out the pitfalls, does it?
It goes on to say that 'in return for any extra premium we will extend your policy and give you the same level of cover as you have(in the uk)'...
I reckon this should be given far more prominence.
Pays to read the small print, then! I had a similar hoo haa with another insurer who quietly changed the wording of their policy, effectively rendering unalarmed houses uncoverable. Not nice if like many people I paid for years by direct debit on a policy that didn't have this exclusion originally!
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