Driving in EU, do I need to tell my insurer when and where?

[Diveywivey]

I'll be off for several weeks to Spain and Portugal from the UK in a few weeks time. I've being doing this a few years and never informed my insurer up until my last trip at end of 2023. The only reason I did last time was because, when I contacted my insurer (Adrian Flux) about renewal, I said during the conversation that I was I about to go away. Then they wanted to know where, when and for how long so they could issue a "Foreign Use Confirmation cover letter". This is a pain as I don't have fixed start and end dates, or necessarily a fixed plan for the countries I'll visit.

Do I really have to do inform them ? My insurance certificate says it "takes the place of an International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card) and is evidence that the insurance extends to include the compulsory motor insurance requirements of: etc" so I can't see it's needed. I haven't found anything in my documentation that says i must inform them. I know I'm allowed only up to 90 days per insurance year: could this be why they want to know ? But again I've seen nothing to say I have to tell them about my travels.

 

[roadtripper]

If that's what your insurer requires then that's what you need to do? It's up to them how they want to run their insurance.

You may find if you don't that they cover you for the legally compulsory insurance in the country you visit but nothing else.

So for instance in the UK that would be Third Party only, no fire, theft or comprehensive cover.

 

[Bav]

Nowadays, the only time you, as a UK citizen, would need proof of insurance when driving within the EEA is if you get stopped by a member of the awkward squad - aka the French gendarme. For this reason alone, it's sensible to get a letter from your insurer that confirms (in several languages) you have the required minimum cover.

I doubt very much your insurer needs your exact dates and itinerary - they'll just want to ensure you're not exceeding any foreign travel limits stated in the policy; that you're not travelling to any country that needs an actual "green card" (or to any country that they don't provide cover for at all); and when you're likely to need the letter issuing. Your policy may also offer additional cover when abroad (e.g. increased personal effects cover) and they'll want to know the likely period that such clauses will be effective.