Driving in Europe

There's no obligation to take out European breakdown cover; in fact, figures show that one in three Britons don't. However, travelling without it is a risk, not just in case of mechanical failure but in case you have an accident. Your usual motor insurer may be of some help if you have a crash abroad, but breakdown cover offers far more protection

If you crash and don't have European breakdown cover, it is more complicated overseas than at home, where your motor insurer will arrange for your car to be taken to a garage and fixed. If you crash abroad, you may have to make your own arrangements – tricky if you don't know the area or language.

If you have comprehensive motor insurance, you can reclaim the costs, but not if you have third-party cover, which means you'll foot the cost of the car being towed, assessed, repaired or even repatriated.

If you suffer mechanical failure and haven't taken out additional breakdown insurance, you can ask a local garage to carry out repairs. But if it's serious it could take days, stranding you miles from your destination, especially if parts need to be ordered.

Far better to pay for peace of mind and take out cover before you go. If you do so with a major organisation, such as the AA or RAC you will have access to a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, multilingual call centre.

Most organisations arrange collection of your stricken car and pay for it to be fixed. If the problem is too serious for local repairs, a good European breakdown policy will provide a replacement vehicle and – if necessary – emergency accommodation.

They will even repatriate your car so that it can be repaired closer to home, if necessary. On average, repatriation costs £995, says the AA, double that if you're in the tip of Spain or Italy.

If you take out European breakdown cover before you go, there are still points to consider. Cost depends more on destination than car. Zone Two, for example – covering much of Europe – would cost around £99 for annual cover with the AA for a newish car. This would give you unlimited trips to Europe with a claims limit of £6,000. For a smaller portion of Europe (northern France, say), the fee would be less, and more if you're venturing into Eastern Europe.
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You also pay more for older cars, scaled by age. If your car is 10 years old or more, you will pay about double, reflecting the increased likelihood of breakdown. All customers are expected to have properly maintained their car, however, so a breakdown caused by neglect might invalidate your cover. You can also add parts and labour cover; the AA charges an additional £42.

Don't just buy on cost; check that cover includes rescue, assistance and car repatriation, whether you break down or crash. What are the limits for accommodation and hire of a replacement vehicle? Does cover start the minute you leave home (important if you live in Scotland and travel via Dover). Is the call centre open 24/7, including public holidays, and is your caravan or boat trailer also covered? Is there a limit on the number of passengers covered for accommodation?

If you want to save on fees, avoid annual cover and get short-term cover, normally from around £46 for 10 days in Zone Two. You can get short break, four-day cover from around £25. I'd pay for cover, especially on a family holiday. Perhaps recoup costs by visiting a local market and eating in once or twice to save on restaurant bills. A: There's no obligation to take out European breakdown cover; in fact figures show that one in three Britons don't. However travelling without it is a risk, not just in case of mechanical failure but in case you have an accident. Your usual motor insurer may be of some help if you have crash abroad, but breakdown cover offers far more protection.

If you crash and don't have European breakdown cover, it is more complicated overseas than at home, where your motor insurer will arrange for your car to be taken to a garage and fixed. If you crash abroad you may have to make your own arrangements – tricky if you don't know the area or language. If you have comprehensive motor insurance you can reclaim the costs but not if you have third-party cover, which means you'll foot the cost of the car being towed, assessed, repaired or even repatriated.

If you suffer mechanical failure and haven't taken out additional breakdown insurance, you can ask a local garage to carry out repairs. But if it's serious it could take days, stranding you miles from your destination, especially if parts need to be ordered.

Far better to pay for peace of mind and take out cover before you go. If you do so with a major organisation, such as the AA or RAC you will have access to a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, multilingual call centre.

Most organisations arrange collection of your stricken car and pay for it to be fixed. If the problem is too serious for local repairs a good European breakdown policy will provide a replacement vehicle and – if necessary – emergency accommodation. They will even repatriate your car so that it can be repaired closer to home if necessary. On average, repatriation costs £995, says the AA, double that if you're in the tip of Spain or Italy.

If you take out European breakdown cover before you go, there are still points to consider. Cost depends more on destination than car. Zone 2, for example – covering much of Europe – would cost around £99 for annual cover with the AA, for a newish car. This would give you unlimited trips to Europe with a claims limit of £6,000. For a smaller portion of Europe (northern France, say) the fee would be less, and more if you're venturing into Eastern Europe.

You also pay more for older cars, scaled by age. If your car is 10 years old or more, you will pay about double, reflecting the increased likelihood of breakdown. All customers are expected to have properly maintained their car, however, so a breakdown caused by neglect might invalidate your cover. You can also add parts and labour cover; the AA charges an additional £42.

Don't just buy on cost; check that cover includes rescue, assistance and car repatriation, whether you break down or crash. What are the limits for accommodation and hire of replacement vehicle? Does cover start the minute you leave home (important if you live in Scotland and travel via Dover). Is the call centre open 24/7, including public holidays and are your caravan or boat trailer also covered? Is there a limit on the number of passengers covered for accommodation?

If you want to save on fees, avoid annual cover and get short-term cover, normally from around £46 for 10 days in Zone 2. You can get short break, four-day cover from around £25. I'd pay for cover, especially on a family holiday. Perhaps recoup costs by visiting a tantalising local market or eating in once or twice and saving on restaurant bills.