British motorists thinking about driving their vehicles whilst abroad should exercise caution before setting off.

Such is the advice given by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance which states that unless drivers take steps to make sure that they have adequate cover before going on a foreign driving holiday then they could face a costly repair bill. According to the firm, just under a fifth (17 per cent) of holidaymakers are planning on taking their car overseas during the next year. Overall, France was shown as being the most likely destination for a foreign driving break, with some 4.58 million motorists looking to take their vehicles to the European country over the next 12 months. However, 1.89 million are set to hit the road in Ireland, with 1.7 million going on a road trip to Germany. Spain, Italy and Belgium were also shown to be sought-after locations for motorists.

Additionally, it appears that people are planning a comprehensive journey, with about half of all those travelling abroad predicting they will cover more than 1,000 miles driving while away, meanwhile 19 per cent are predicting to drive between 501 and 1,000 miles.

However, before setting off to hit the road for Paris, Rome, Berlin or any other European destination, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance not only advised motorists to get fully comprehensive car insurance but also to get in touch with their provider to let them know of their holiday driving plans before they travel. It was reported that although many insurers provide cover for driving on the continent, policyholders are required to notify them that they are going to do this. Should this not happen, Sainsbury’s said motorists may well see their cover downgraded to only incorporate third party, fire and theft.

For those holidaymakers who do not have adequate insurance cover while on their trip abroad it it is entirely possible that they have to raid their own finances in order to fund the cost of repairs to their vehicle following a breakdown, accident or theft. This could easily impact on their ability to manage loans, credit cards and mortgage repayments upon their return back home.

To lower the chances of finding themselves in difficulties whilst abroad, the company urged motorists to plan their route carefully and to check the motoring legislation for the countries that they will be driving through. In addition, checking tyre pressure and brake fluid levels before departing was also recommended.

Joanne Mallon, car insurance manager for Sainsbury’s, reported: “When going on holiday, most people will remember to take travel insurance but we are concerned that some motorists are overlooking the need to ensure that their car journey is fully covered. Having an accident anywhere is bad enough but when abroad it can be compounded by a lack of local knowledge; to then find that the other party’s damage is covered, but not your own, is surely a blow worth avoiding.”

Those consumers looking for an efficient way to finance a holiday may discover that obtaining a personal loans is recommended. And for those wishing to buy a car to take to the road for an adventure on the continent, a cheap loan may not only help with purchasing a vehicle but also to get a comprehensive insurance policy. Borrowing for the means of getting a car could also be recommended, as a recent Experian study showed 20 per cent of males would go in to the red in order to get a car.