UK drivers unaware of EU insurance rules

A quarter of a million British drivers will be on European roads this summer without realising that they are not properly insured, according to AA Insurance.

Kevin Sinclair, managing director of the car and home insurance broker, said: "Insurers are legally obliged to provide at least third party cover for EU member states.

"But although you might have comprehensive cover in the UK, you shouldn't assume that the same applies for journeys across the channel."

Mr Sinclair believes that drivers think they are covered in Europe because the International Insurance Certificate is no longer necessary, but that many drivers are in fact uninsured across the channel.

"We also encourage drivers to take out European breakdown cover," he said.

"If the worst comes to the worst, this will at least enable you to continue to enjoy your holiday while your broken-down or accident-damaged car is repaired or repatriated."