If you live in the UK and you are planning to take your car overseas on holiday then there are a number of things you should be aware of when deciding on the level of car insurance cover you might need. Every year there are quite literally thousands of British motorists who end up paying out huge amounts of money over the odds, simply because they don't have the most appropriate insurance policy in place whilst driving their vehicle abroad.

One of the most important things to remember when driving your own car around Europe is that in the majority of cases your existing car insurance policy will not provide full cover. However, it will give you some degree of protection in the form of basic RTA or Road Traffic Accident insurance. Although there are some drivers who will find that they already have third party insurance, this won't automatically guarantee that they will be covered for any legal expenses incurred following an accident or in the event of car theft. There are of course some exceptions to this rule but this will depend on which part of the EU you decide to travel to.

Another interesting point which should be made is the fact that there is still much confusion concerning the abolition of the green card in certain parts of Europe. Up until the late 1980s, a green card was used by those choosing to drive their own vehicle overseas as presentable form of evidence that they were appropriately insured to do so. Although there are quite a few countries where a green card is no longer required, there are still many countries where it is essential to posses one. This list of European countries includes Poland, Romania, Andorra and Malta. Other places where a green card may also be required include several rural areas in countries such as Italy and France.

Green cards themselves are relatively easy to acquire and they are usually available free of charge. However, the type of insurance which is often referred to as "green card cover" is seldom available free of charge and this will have to be paid for using the services of a reputable insurance company. The amount of money you can typically expect to pay on your overseas car insurance will depend on a number of influencing factors. These include both the length of time you will require your insurance policy and the amount of cover you think you will need. Other variables include your age and the type of vehicle you want to insure, although this will vary depending on which insurance company you choose to go with.

Finally, it is always important to ensure you allow ample time before planning your trip so that your insurance documentation arrives beforehand and that your policy is in effect prior to your departure from the UK. Whatever you decide to do, it is well worth upgrading your cover and forking out that little bit extra just to make sure you are on the safe side if worse comes to the worst and the unthinkable should happen whilst driving abroad.