Fully Comp Car Insurance?

[ACTS030]

Does anyone know of a website where you can buy short term fully comp European car insurance?

I know that some companies will allow you to upgrade your existing policy but mine (Aviva)doesn't seem to offer this service...

Also I'm aware that most insurance providers, provide 3rd party cover in Europe but I'd prefer to have fully comp if possible.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated thanks.

[The Leaper]

Looks like you've fallen foul of poor info on comparison websites. Nearly all give a positive indication that cover is included when abroad but they fail to give any details. What they are providing is the legal minimum cover required which is pretty useless in my view. Anyone who takes their car abroad should really ask more about the cover provided or check out the full policy terms before signing up. Some insurers will extend the UK cover, including fully comp if that is what you have here, sometimes for a fee, sometimes for free, sometimes for a limited period, sometimes for a limited number of trips abroad. As I go to France 3-4 times a year, I have fully comp cover included in my policy.

To answer your specific request, I do not know any insurer that will offer what you want for a limited period, say 2-3 weeks as a one off policy. They may be out there and probably going through a high street broker may the way to find them.

R.

[FraMac]

Something else to be aware of is people's definition of "comprehensive" - you might think it includes a courtesy car but an insurer might think it doesn't unless you pay an additional premium.

Depending on what you're after you may get some of the cover you seek from a European breakdown policy (again, check what cover you get as it varies from provider to provider).

Sorry I can't help more - we're insured with Aviva and we've got comp covr in Europe, so maybe try and grind away at them? Good luck.

[Nick M]

ACTS030 said:

I know that some companies will allow you to upgrade your existing policy but mine (Aviva)doesn't seem to offer this service...

From the Aviva website (Summary of cover, under "Foreign use cover"):

"Your policy will automatically provide the minimum cover required to travel in most European countries: usually the equivalent of UK third party only cover.

This can be upgraded for an additional annual premium from £26.50 to give you the same cover as you have in the UK for travel within the following countries, for 6 months in any one period of insurance and no more than 90 days for any one trip."

See also:

http://www.aviva.co.uk/library/pdfs/multi-vehicle/...

So looks like they do, and a quick call should have you sorted out

[The Leaper]

Nick M has done a good job there. He has sorted out what Aviva are prepared to do in their policy for a fee, and he's confirmed the big problem with comparison websites which is they concentrate far too much on the cost without details of what you're actually buying and not buying. Of course, you get what you pay for, but using such sites mean that you often don't know what you've paid for, or more likely what you're not getting as in the OP's case.

R.

[FraMac]

The Leaper said:

Nick M has done a good job there. R.

+1 - Good work.

[Rs2oo]

Good warning this because not many people realise most insurers only offer the minimal cover required so like Last year, if someone knocks over a disposable BBQ which then sets fire to your car and burns it to a shell, you ain't covered. If it's nicked, you ain't covered, hit and run, anything really, you are only 3rd party. Worth checking you insurance before you go.

[ACTS030]

Nick M said:

From the Aviva website (Summary of cover, under "Foreign use cover"):

"Your policy will automatically provide the minimum cover required to travel in most European countries: usually the equivalent of UK third party only cover.

This can be upgraded for an additional annual premium from £26.50 to give you the same cover as you have in the UK for travel within the following countries, for 6 months in any one period of insurance and no more than 90 days for any one trip."

See also:

http://www.aviva.co.uk/library/pdfs/multi-vehicle/...

So looks like they do, and a quick call should have you sorted out

Ah thanks very much. I did ring but they seemed to imply that I'd only be able to upgrade the next time I renew which unfortunately is after the 24 takes place. Hopefully there was a misunderstanding then.

I'm surprised more people don't look into getting fully comp with the extra risk of driving abroad.

UPDATE: Just to confirm I was able to get an upgrade on my insurance this year so there was a misunderstanding.

Edited by ACTS030 on Wednesday 2nd May 19:54