British drivers taking their car to the continent could find themselves under-insured. According to comparison site moneysupermarket.com, over a third of drivers are not aware that their cover is downgraded from comprehensive to third party when they are in Europe .
Five of Britain’s foremost insurers will automatically change the cover for driving overseas . Drivers most at risk are those insured with Barclays, Direct Line, esure and Swiftcover . These firms will reduce existing policies to third party in Europe .
Richard Mason at moneysupermarket.com says: “If you normally have comprehensive car insurance, it will come as a shock if you are with one of those insurers that will downgrade your cover for driving in Europe . While it may be in the small print of your policy, our research shows many motorists are unaware of this.”
Mr Mason also commented that anyone who regularly drivers Europe should try and find an insurer that will give the same level of cover throughout the EU.