Those planning a driving holiday in the coming months have been advised that it is not just car cover that needs to be checked.

Consumers have also been warned by the AA that they could be running the risk of incurring substantial medical expenses if they fail to take out travel insurance before they leave. Spokesperson for the group Ian Crowder remarked recently that although the European Health Insurance Card ensures people gain a basic level of medical assistance in the event of an accident, the level of care provided can differ significantly from country to country. Furthermore, funding operations not covered automatically could leave people with a considerable financial burden should they fail to take out adequate travel cover before they leave.

Following on from these additional costs, it is possible that consumers will face difficulty meeting other financial obligations in areas such as mortgage contributions, credit cards and personal loan repayments. Mr Crowder urged those looking to minimise the risk of finding themselves with expensive medical bills to take out a travel insurance policy for the peace of mind it provides.

He also advised people to check the level of car cover provided by their insurer before embarking on a trip to the continent. He noted that while all providers have a commitment to supply the minimum legal cover for customers driving in any European Community country, many provide a diminished level of cover compared with the policy offered in the UK. Mr Crowder urged consumers to make sure they were aware of this before setting off.

“If you have comprehensive insurance in the UK it will give you third-party cover in other countries … I think a lot of people have been unwittingly misled into thinking that… their comprehensive insurance will also be comprehensive in the countries that they visit – that’s not so. There are a lot of insurance companies in the UK and they all seem to have slightly different approaches to driving on the continent,” Mr Crowder said.

He continued: “Check your car, check your policy, check that you are covered while you are out there. There is nothing worse than your holiday coming to an abrupt halt.”

For those who are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident abroad without comprehensive cover, Mr Crowder warned that the financial implications can be considerable, with insurance providers under no obligation to provide assistance to motorists in meeting the costs of repairs to their own vehicle. He suggested that if someone were to go into the back of another car in Paris, their provider would only need to meet the costs of repair to the other person’s vehicle - leaving travellers with the prospect of fixing, repatriating or possibly scrapping the car and having to buy a new vehicle upon their return to the UK.

In meeting these costs, consumers may be interested in taking out a car loan to get back on the road quickly. The additional funds provided by this type of loan may also be of use in taking out comprehensive cover to make sure the same thing does not happen again. In a report published last month by price comparison site insurance, many Britons are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the costs of keeping their vehicle on the road.

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