What to look out for

Most policies will impose a limit on the length of time you'll be covered while driving abroad, which is usually 90 days. Always make sure you read the small print and double check, though, as this can vary across insurers. If you are planning on travelling for an extended period, ask whether you can have extended European car insurance.

If, on the other hand, you are only likely to be driving on the Continent for a relatively short period, you may be able to

get a temporary or short term European car insurance policy. This will typically cover you for between one and 28 days, so if you are taking just a single short trip in the year then this could be a better option.

Something else to check is that the countries you are visiting are covered under the terms of the policy. It sounds simple - Europe means Europe, doesn't it - but some policies will only cover countries that are in the EU, for example.

Also think about any extras you might need, such as European breakdown cover. This could be an absolute lifeline if you were to breakdown and is not likely to be automatically included in your policy. Adding it as an extra will clearly up the cost of your premium, but if the alternative is standing on the roadside stranded in an unfamiliar country, it would certainly be money well spent.