Driving in Europe

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For many of us, hiring a car when in Europe is a pleasure. It’s the opportunity to get off the beaten track and see the ‘real country’.

There are though a few useful things to keep in mind if you’re to maximise your enjoyment of your rental car and one of those relates to reducing your risks through car hire excess insurance.

Ease your way into the local driving customs.

Yes, you may be aware that just about everywhere in continental Europe drives on the right-hand side of the road but this is only part of it.

In some countries the local drivers may appear to have little, if any, respect for their own legal speed limits. What they consider to be a ‘safe distance’ between them and your rear bumper may be a little different to normal UK practices! Road signs may be different (they will certainly be in different languages) and sometimes the conventions at road junctions and roundabouts may also not be what you’re used to.

So, read up on the specifics of the country you’re planning to rent in so as not to be caught by surprise. Above all:

• don’t race away from the car collection point trying to ‘out-drive the locals’;
• do drive very conservatively and cautiously for the first few hours until you start to get an instinctive feel for the local driving customs and your rental car.

Obey the Laws

It doesn’t matter how much everyone else seems to be ignoring their own laws by driving around at lightening speed, as a foreigner you should make a point of obeying the rules.

Remember that in many European countries the law demands that you carry your driving documents with you at all times.

Avoid confrontation

It doesn’t matter how badly you’ve just been cut-up by another driver or how frustrated you are by someone tailgating you etc, don’t give into the temptation to start flashing your lights or blasting your horn. This can be even more provocative in some parts of Europe than it is in the UK.

Be careful in the centres

City centres everywhere are congested, chaotic and often contain highly idiosyncratic road systems at junction points. Shunts and bumps may be commonplace (which is why you may need to consider car hire excess insurance). City centres at peak times may be well worth avoiding for all these reasons.

Think about your car hire insurance protection

When driving in a strange hire car and in a strange country, there may be a higher probability of you having an accident. It may be advisable to think carefully about car hire excess insurance.

• if you’re hiring a car in an EU country, the rental deal may include third-party and CDW (collision damage waiver) cover but it may be advisable to check;
• it is worth checking to make sure that the rental insurance will allow you to cross national borders if necessary;
• your car hire insurance policy probably will come with excess of between £500 to £1500 – that’s the amount you may have to pay in the event of an accident if you do not have car hire excess insurance;
• we can offer you a car hire excess insurance policy at a very reasonable price that means if you are charged an excess by the rental company then we will reimburse you (subject to terms and conditions).

Have fun!

Driving in Europe can be great fun and very enjoyable. Just use common-sense and all should be fine. If you are concerned about your exposure to excess costs in the event of an accident, then reading our policy details on car hire excess insurance will show you how you can put your mind at rest!