Five tips for motoring abroad

If you're planning a road trip overseas this summer, here are five top tips that will help you steer clear of trouble.

Taking your car on holiday can be wonderfully liberating. You simply chuck your bags in the boot, jump behind the wheel and away you go.

According to the Association of British Insurers, over two million British motorists head overseas in their cars each year.

But whether you're making a day trip across the channel or motoring across the continent, it's crucial you prepare carefully for your trip.

Figures from the breakdown cover provider Green Flag show that, between June and August, the company receives approximately 20,000 calls from UK motorists stranded in Europe!

Therefore, before you head out onto the open road, make sure you follow these five travel tips.

1. Prepare your vehicle

Breaking down abroad could put a serious dampener on your holiday. Therefore, before you hit the road, make sure your car is in the best possible condition.

You should inspect the pressure and tread of all the tyres – including the spare.

Then, check your car's fluid levels to make sure you have adequate lubrication for your brakes, power steering and windscreen washer. It's also important to ensure all the lights are working and you've packed spare bulbs for your trip.

If you're not confident making these checks yourself, ask a friend or family member for help.

If you're still unsure, you can always book your car into a garage to be inspected by a mechanic. Remember, it's better to be safe than sorry.

2. Pack for every eventuality

No matter how prepared you are, it's always possible that something unexpected – and difficult to deal with – will happen while you're away.

Therefore, it's important to plan your trip in advance and think about what you might need should something go wrong.

Here are eight small steps that could help make life easier in the event of problems abroad:

• Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.
• Ensure your first aid box is stocked and keep a supply of bottled water and snacks in your vehicle.
• Keep a blanket and flashlight in your car.
• Have spare change to hand ready for motorway tolls.
• Pack a spare set of car keys in your luggage.
• Bring a spare pair of specs if you need glasses to drive.
• Keep a map to hand.
• Bring a book of useful phrases if you don't speak the native language of the country you'll be visiting.

While it's crucial you pack the essentials, you must also ensure you don't overload your car. Remember, the more your vehicle weighs the more fuel it will eat up.

Also, if you're using a roof rack to carry luggage, make sure you safely secure all the items on it.

3. Learn the law

We all know that in many continental countries you drive on the wrong (well, in fact on the right!) side of the road. But did you know it's illegal to honk your horn within the city limits of Gibraltar?

Road traffic regulations can vary widely from country to country, so it's crucial you get clued up on the local laws of every place you plan to drive through.

Know your limits: Many European countries have stricter laws on drink driving than we do in the UK, and the legal alcohol limit for driving is often be much lower. Be careful not to break local rules, or you could end up in serious trouble.

In addition, ensure you don't get carried away when driving at higher speed limits on continental motorways.

In case of a break down: In some countries it's compulsory for motorists to carry reflective jackets and warning triangles in case their cars break down. Know before you go!

Carry the correct documents: While driving abroad you may need your full driving license, an international driving permit, your vehicle's registration document and insurance details. Furthermore, in most countries it's compulsory to display a Great Britain (GB) sticker or a Euro-plate with the GB euro-symbol.

To find out more about local laws, check out the AA's useful country-by-country guide, (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/countrybycountry.html) which details specific national requirements.

4. Cover your car abroad

Many people assume they will enjoy the same level of car insurance overseas as they do in the UK

However, while EU law states all car insurance providers must grant policyholders a minimum of third-party cover when driving abroad, many insurers don't grant customers the level of comprehensive cover their policy might offer in the UK.

This means that while you'll be protected if you cause damage to another vehicle or driver in an accident, your insurer may not pay out if your own car is damaged or stolen overseas.

Before you head off on your holiday, it's vital that you contact your car insurance provider and check you have sufficient cover when travelling abroad. Always check the amount of days you are covered for as this is likely to vary from policy to policy.

In addition, remember that if you have a vehicle breakdown policy, this is unlikely to cover you outside of the UK unless it specifically includes continental cover. Therefore, if you want it, you may need to buy European breakdown cover separately.

5. Ensure you're insured

Finally, it's crucial that you have adequate travel insurance in place to protect you if something goes wrong on your holiday.

If you don't have travel insurance and you have an accident while driving abroad, even the most minor injury could end up costing you a small fortune in medical bills.

A good travel insurance policy should also provide you with cover in case you lose your luggage or are the victim of crime while on holiday.

Remember, shopping around online for the most competitive travel insurance deal will help you bag the right policy at the right price.

Also, don't forget that many travel insurers now require you to carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**