Saving you time

Drivers with third-party cover will not be entitled to reclaim repair costs if they're involved in an accident that is not entirely the responsibility of another motorist. They may also have to shell out to cover the cost of getting a damaged vehicle back to the UK.

Check your car insurance policy carefully before setting off. A fee of about £25 a week is typical if you want to add comprehensive cover in Europe to a policy that does not currently offer this. If you're a frequent driver overseas, it may be worth paying a bit more for cover that includes comprehensive insurance while abroad.

An accident is not the only disaster that drivers can suffer. The AA is also concerned about the number of people whose holidays are ruined by a mechanical breakdown. Kevin Sinclair, managing director of the AA's insurance arm, says: "We would encourage drivers to take out European breakdown cover - if the worst comes to the worst, this will at least enable you to continue to enjoy your holiday while your broken-down vehicle is repaired or repatriated."

Standard car breakdown cover from the AA and the RAC, the two companies that dominate the market, will not apply if you are driving abroad. That could mean paying through the nose to local mechanics if your car breaks down. And if the problem is not easy to fix, you could be left stranded. One option is simply to add European breakdown cover to your existing breakdown insurance for the period while you are away from home. The AA and RAC charge members from £8 and £12 a day respectively for add-on cover