Driving in Europe
Over the past few years, driving your own car through Europe has become rather more complicated. Following Brexit, we needed insurance green cards to prove the correct level of car insurance when travelling to Europe. This requirement was then abolished in August 2021 after the European Commission reviewed the law, but the rules still require holders of paper driving licences (issued before April 1999) to apply for an International Driving Permit.
These complexities aside, the major thing to consider when driving in Europe is whether your car is as well protected as when you’re in the UK. After all, if you were to break down or be involved in a road accident, you need to be able to make a valid claim.
Get the right cover out and you and your car will be protected properly…
This is where European Driving Cover comes in – and is completely essential if you want to take your own vehicle to Europe and drive it there. European driving cover is an extension of your UK-based insurance cover, and effectively makes your motor insurance valid in the majority of European countries.
Typically, a car insurance policy with European driving included will give you up to 90 days of cover for driving on the continent. Not every policy includes European Driving Cover as standard, but classic car and multi car cover from our partners at Heritage Insurance Brokers do provide this, and offer an enhanced 180 days’ cover for SLSHOP CARE members at no extra cost.
Here is our 5-step guide for checking you have the European driving cover you need
- Where do you plan to travel? Your insurer can confirm the countries covered
- You should always notify your insurer when you plan to travel abroad, including your departure and return dates
- If you are unsure whether 90 days of cover will be sufficient, it’s best to extend to 180 days to be on the safe side
- If you have a paper driving licence, ensure you have applied for an International Driving Permit (IPD) in plenty of time. You can find out which kind of IPD you require here.
- Check the cover level provided in your insurance policy wording; some insurers give comprehensive cover while driving in Europe, but others may offer a lower level. For peace of mind, speak with your broker.
What else can I do to protect my car abroad?
A safety check before leaving the country is always sensible – tyres, electrics, fluid levels, all the things you’d check before any long journey. Breakdown cover that includes vehicle repatriation and onward travel while you’re in Europe, is also a good idea.
It goes without saying that you should always choose the most secure parking option available, especially if you’re leaving your car somewhere overnight. Many hotels will have secure parking, or if you’re booking a holiday apartment, try to get one with a designated space in a well-lit area.
If you’re taking part in any of our European tours this year or next, we recommend checking your own policy to ensure your Mercedes is suitably covered. And, if you are unsure, the expert team at Heritage Classic Car Insurance will be more than happy to help.
Premium Insurance at Excellent Rates:
When we launched our CARE plan, we looked for the perfect insurance partner that would suit our tribe of customers around the UK. Heritage Classic Car Insurance are one of the biggest names in the industry and perfectly aligned with our values – to give you the service we expect ourselves. As a member of CARE, you can utilise Heritage’s industry leading products to help you enjoy your classic Mercedes-Benz with confidence, taking advantage of their unique European travel cover, security systems and more. All of this comes at a subsidised cost.
Join CARE today to get the best classic car insurance on the market.
This 280SL was originally registered in New Jersey, USA back in 1971 when it was new, finished in the solid colour of Medium Blue with Blue Leather. In the four decades between 1971 and 2011, the car lost the blue exterior and seats, replaced by silver coachwork with black interior… But the original blue would return to influence the final incarnation of this fantastic car, commissioned by owner at the time.
A meticulous restoration began with a methodical strip down, revealing the blue paintwork beneath the silver top coat, and stripping back the layers even further to correctly prepare the car for the next stage of work. No part of this 280SL was untouched, it was a true bare-shell rebuild with the engine removed to undergo its own restoration; rebuilt meticulously at the request of the owner by a well renowned engine specialist, also detailed in the photo file. Once the engine rebuild was complete, the painstaking task of putting the car back together could commence.
Year: 1971 | Variant: 280 SL | Colour: Medium Blue Metallic | Interior: Natural Leather
Share With Your Fellow Enthusiasts
Driving in Europe
Over the past few years, driving your own car through Europe has become rather more complicated. Following Brexit, we needed insurance green cards to prove the correct level of car insurance when travelling to Europe. This requirement was then abolished in August 2021 after the European Commission reviewed the law, but the rules still require holders of paper driving licences (issued before April 1999) to apply for an International Driving Permit.
These complexities aside, the major thing to consider when driving in Europe is whether your car is as well protected as when you’re in the UK. After all, if you were to break down or be involved in a road accident, you need to be able to make a valid claim.
Get the right cover out and you and your car will be protected properly…
This is where European Driving Cover comes in – and is completely essential if you want to take your own vehicle to Europe and drive it there. European driving cover is an extension of your UK-based insurance cover, and effectively makes your motor insurance valid in the majority of European countries.
Typically, a car insurance policy with European driving included will give you up to 90 days of cover for driving on the continent. Not every policy includes European Driving Cover as standard, but classic car and multi car cover from our partners at Heritage Insurance Brokers do provide this, and offer an enhanced 180 days’ cover for SLSHOP CARE members at no extra cost.
Here is our 5-step guide for checking you have the European driving cover you need
- Where do you plan to travel? Your insurer can confirm the countries covered
- You should always notify your insurer when you plan to travel abroad, including your departure and return dates
- If you are unsure whether 90 days of cover will be sufficient, it’s best to extend to 180 days to be on the safe side
- If you have a paper driving licence, ensure you have applied for an International Driving Permit (IPD) in plenty of time. You can find out which kind of IPD you require here.
- Check the cover level provided in your insurance policy wording; some insurers give comprehensive cover while driving in Europe, but others may offer a lower level. For peace of mind, speak with your broker.
What else can I do to protect my car abroad?
A safety check before leaving the country is always sensible – tyres, electrics, fluid levels, all the things you’d check before any long journey. Breakdown cover that includes vehicle repatriation and onward travel while you’re in Europe, is also a good idea.
It goes without saying that you should always choose the most secure parking option available, especially if you’re leaving your car somewhere overnight. Many hotels will have secure parking, or if you’re booking a holiday apartment, try to get one with a designated space in a well-lit area.
If you’re taking part in any of our European tours this year or next, we recommend checking your own policy to ensure your Mercedes is suitably covered. And, if you are unsure, the expert team at Heritage Classic Car Insurance will be more than happy to help.
Premium Insurance at Excellent Rates:
When we launched our CARE plan, we looked for the perfect insurance partner that would suit our tribe of customers around the UK. Heritage Classic Car Insurance are one of the biggest names in the industry and perfectly aligned with our values – to give you the service we expect ourselves. As a member of CARE, you can utilise Heritage’s industry leading products to help you enjoy your classic Mercedes-Benz with confidence, taking advantage of their unique European travel cover, security systems and more. All of this comes at a subsidised cost.
Join CARE today to get the best classic car insurance on the market.
This 280SL was originally registered in New Jersey, USA back in 1971 when it was new, finished in the solid colour of Medium Blue with Blue Leather. In the four decades between 1971 and 2011, the car lost the blue exterior and seats, replaced by silver coachwork with black interior… But the original blue would return to influence the final incarnation of this fantastic car, commissioned by owner at the time.
A meticulous restoration began with a methodical strip down, revealing the blue paintwork beneath the silver top coat, and stripping back the layers even further to correctly prepare the car for the next stage of work. No part of this 280SL was untouched, it was a true bare-shell rebuild with the engine removed to undergo its own restoration; rebuilt meticulously at the request of the owner by a well renowned engine specialist, also detailed in the photo file. Once the engine rebuild was complete, the painstaking task of putting the car back together could commence.
Year: 1971 | Variant: 280 SL | Colour: Medium Blue Metallic | Interior: Natural Leather
Share With Your Fellow Enthusiasts
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