Disclaimer: This is a contributed post.

Around two million Britons take road trips around Europe each year, either taking their own vehicles across the Channel or hiring one when they arrive. If you plan to join their ranks, it’s best to be fully prepared.

If you’re taking your own vehicle, it’s essential to check that you’re covered by your existing insurance policy. Studies have shown that around a third of all drivers wrongly assume they have the same level of cover wherever they are. In reality, comprehensive policies are often downgraded to third-party policies for anyone leaving the UK.

If you have such a policy and your car is damaged, you will have to meet the entire cost of repair and repatriation of the vehicle yourself as your insurance will only cover you for damage to third parties. Many companies will allow you to extend your cover for a small premium and this could end up saving you thousands.

Breakdown Cover

Once your insurance is arranged, the next item on your list should besorting out breakdown cover. Finding yourself stranded and in desperate need of spare parts in a country where you don’t speak the language is every traveller’s worst nightmare.

A policy will not only cover almost all of your costs in the event of a problem, including towing your car to a garage or bringing it home if it can not be repaired, but will also provide you with total peace of mind. Visit Green Flag for European breakdown cover that will help keep you on the roadno matter where you roam.

If you choose to hire a car, you will be covered in the event of a breakdown but keep a close eye on the amount of excess that is applied should you be unfortunate enough to have an accident. Excess payments of thousands of pounds are not uncommon.

It is usually possible to reduce the excess to a more reasonable level by paying a daily fee and this is well worth considering.

Driving Abroad

Driving on the wrong side of the road with many of the usual controls reversed can easily cause confusion, which in turn can lead to a costly accident.

You can take some of the stress out of travelling abroad by investing in a GPS system that covers your destination. Such a system will not only guide you on your way but can also be extremely useful when it comes to finding the nearest petrol station or public toilet.

Finally, if you want to avoid an on-the-spot fine, it’s important to check the driving rules and regulations for each country you visit. In Austria and France, for example, you are legally obliged to keep a fluorescent jacket in your vehicle at all times. In the event of a breakdown, you must wear your jacket. You also need to put it on if you stop to assist someone else who has broken down.

Most EU countries require you to carry a warning triangle and first-aid kit but in Belgium you must also have a fire extinguisher. If you’re hiring a car rather taking your own, these items should already be in the vehicle but it’s probably best to check just in case.

Disclaimer: This is a contributed post.