What is international car insurance?

International car insurance typically covers third-party liability, damage to your own vehicle, theft, and sometimes roadside assistance while driving abroad.

That said, not all policies are equal. Cover varies significantly between insurers and depends on where you’re driving, for how long, and whether you’re using your own car or a rental. Some UK providers automatically include a limited number of days for European use, but usually at a reduced level of protection—often third-party only.

For full international use, you’ll need to look for specific policy upgrades or standalone cover. These policies are often used by expats, long-term travellers, or those exporting vehicles. Comprehensive international car insurance can include:

 
It’s crucial to distinguish between being insured and being properly covered. For example, you may legally drive in France with third-party cover, but if your car is stolen or written off in a collision, you’re on your own unless your policy explicitly includes those risks. Many insurers also exclude business use, high-risk territories, or vehicles over a certain age.

Reading your policy wording isn’t optional here. If in doubt, speak to your insurer and get written confirmation of what is and isn’t included before crossing any borders.

You should consider international car insurance if you’re planning to drive your own car abroad for more than a short holiday, or if you’re relocating, touring multiple countries, or exporting a vehicle.

For most UK drivers, a two-week break in France might be covered under an existing policy. But once you go beyond those limits—whether in terms of geography, duration, or purpose—you risk invalidating your cover. This includes:

• Driving for more than 30 days in a row
• Visiting countries outside the EU or EEA
• Using the vehicle for work or business travel
• Touring multiple destinations or covering long distances
• Taking a car on a ferry or Eurotunnel more than once in a year
• Relocating or exporting your vehicle permanently

For example, a family embarking on a three-month European road trip in their own vehicle may need a specialist policy, especially if visiting countries not automatically covered under standard EU provisions. Similarly, someone moving to Spain or Portugal may need an entirely different class of policy—often one that meets local legal requirements.

Temporary car insurance or short-term international policies can also be useful for students, digital nomads, or expats returning to the UK for brief periods who want to take their foreign-registered car on British roads.

In short, the moment your plans go beyond a typical holiday, your insurance needs become more complex. That’s when international cover moves from being an upgrade to a necessity.

If you’re driving from the UK to the Republic of Ireland, your existing car insurance usually provides minimum third-party cover, but it’s essential to confirm this with your insurer. You don’t need international insurance for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so your standard UK policy applies in full when driving there—comprehensive cover, legal protection, and all. No additional documentation or changes to your policy are required.

However, if you’re driving into the Republic of Ireland, which is a separate country, things change. While most comprehensive UK policies include third-party cover for Ireland, the level of protection can drop. This means:

• Damage to your own vehicle may not be covered
• Theft cover might not apply
• You may not have access to breakdown support
• Business use could be excluded

Here’s a typical scenario: a driver from Manchester takes a family trip to Galway. Their insurer might provide basic legal cover in the event of a crash but offer no financial help if the car is damaged. To get the same protection as in the UK, they may need to request an extension or pay a small fee.

It’s also worth noting that temporary car insurance for Northern Ireland exists as a product category, particularly useful for visiting drivers or those borrowing cars locally. This is separate from international cover and caters more to convenience than cross-border legality.

If in doubt, always ask your insurer for confirmation in writing. It’s a short journey across the Irish Sea—but the difference in legal jurisdictions matters.

Your UK policy might not fully protect you abroad because insurers often reduce cover to third-party only when you’re outside the UK, unless you specifically upgrade your policy.

While many drivers assume their comprehensive policy travels with them, the reality is more limited. Insurers typically include a “foreign use” clause, but it rarely matches the full protection you receive at home.

For example, even if your UK policy is fully comprehensive, it may drop to third-party cover in France, Spain, or Italy. That means damage to your own vehicle, theft, fire, and breakdowns abroad may not be covered at all. Some insurers include this downgrade by default after a certain number of days abroad—others impose it the moment you leave the UK.

Here are common limitations to watch for:

• Cover restricted to specific countries or regions (often EU only)
• Maximum number of days allowed abroad per trip, or annually
• Exclusion of personal belongings, legal assistance, or onward travel
• No breakdown support unless separately purchased
• Business or commercial use not covered unless declared

Insurers expect you to tell them if your use of the car changes or if you’re spending extended time overseas. Failing to do so could void your cover entirely. It’s a technicality, but one that catches many people out—especially those assuming their “comprehensive” policy means the same thing everywhere.

Always check your certificate of motor insurance and the policy schedule before driving abroad. If in doubt, ask your insurer to confirm in writing exactly what level of protection you have, and whether it can be extended.

Yes, hire cars abroad are usually covered by basic insurance from the rental company, but you may need extra protection through top-up cover, excess insurance, or travel insurance add-ons.

Most international car rental agreements include the legal minimum cover required by the country you’re visiting. This typically means third-party liability insurance. However, it often excludes damage to the rental vehicle itself, and the excess can be eye-watering—sometimes upwards of £1,000.

To manage this risk, many travellers choose one of the following options:

1. Buy excess waiver insurance from the rental company, which dramatically reduces the amount you pay if the car is damaged or stolen. This is convenient but usually expensive.
2. Take out standalone excess insurance before you travel, often from UK-based insurers. These policies are cheaper, provide broader cover, and work independently of the rental firm.
3. Check your travel insurance policy. Some include rental car protection as an optional add-on, though it’s rarely as comprehensive as dedicated car hire cover.
4. Use a premium credit card. A few offer built-in rental car insurance benefits if you pay for the hire with that card. Terms vary by provider, so always check the small print.

If you’re renting in North America, coverage rules differ, and UK-issued travel insurance often won’t provide enough protection. It’s best to buy a suitable Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) locally.

And remember, rental companies usually place a hold on your credit card during the rental period, especially if you decline their insurance products. Make sure you have available credit before you collect the vehicle.

Yes, but only if you’ve added international breakdown cover to your policy or bought a separate product designed for overseas emergencies. Standard UK car insurance rarely includes it by default.

Breakdowns abroad can be costly and stressful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the local language or recovery process. While some UK insurers offer optional European or international breakdown cover, it’s a separate product from your car insurance and must be arranged in advance.

There are two common approaches:

• Add-on from your insurer: Many major UK insurers offer breakdown extensions that cover European or international travel. This typically includes roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, and in some cases, onward travel or accommodation.
• Standalone policies: Companies like the AA, RAC, or Green Flag sell specialist international breakdown cover, often with more comprehensive support. These policies may include multilingual support, repatriation of your vehicle to the UK, and replacement hire cars.

Without this cover, you’re at the mercy of local services. You’ll need to pay for towing, repairs, and temporary accommodation out of pocket, which can quickly escalate.

Importantly, travel insurance won’t usually help with vehicle breakdowns. Its emergency provisions apply to personal incidents—medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost baggage—not mechanical failures.

If you’re planning to drive long distances abroad, international breakdown cover is a smart investment. Just make sure it covers all the countries you’re visiting, and check whether there are exclusions for older vehicles.