Most international breakdowns not covered

AA issues warning to England fans planning to travel to Portugal this summer.

10:32 17 May 2004

The AA has issued a warning to all motorists leaving for Portugal this summer for football's European Championships.

The message is: buy insurance cover for your car or risk the hassle of breaking down in a foreign country.

Insurers claim that one in twenty people ringing for roadside assistance in a foreign country have not bought policies beforehand.

Duncan Bowker of insurer CIS said: "We changed our policies in 2000 and now extend comprehensive cover to anywhere in the EU.

"We have printed three different languages on the reverse of the insurance certificate so policyholders simply need to take that with them as proof of insurance."

Many insurers also offer a reduced rate for EU insurance for their domestic customers.

Basic features of the policy include roadside assistance anywhere in the EU and a contribution to parts - some even provide a hire car while the vehicle is being repaired.