TOP TIPS & YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED
QIN AN effort to save the maximum amount possible on our summer break abroad this year, we’ve decided on a self-drive holiday to a campsite in the Dordogne (not a situation I’m looking forward to with much excitement). My husband says that, when he was a kid, they always had to get a Green Card to take the car abroad on family holidays. I called our insurance company and I was told that we didn’t need one. My husband doesn’t believe our insurance company. Help! Cissy, by email
AAS MEMBERS of the EU, driving in EU countries has become more straightforward as far as insurance is concerned. Technically, you don’t need a Green Card (this was a piece of paper which reassured anybody you collided with that you had insurance) for EU countries and a few non-EU countries such as Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. What happens to continental motor insurance after Brexit isn’t terribly clear – but I can’t imagine it will be good news, financially speaking.
When going abroad with your car, you should call your insurance company and tell them where you are going and when, making sure you’ll have comprehensive cover (sometimes insurers leave you with only third party, fire and theft if you haven’t told them of your plans in advance).
It’s also useful to take your policy details with you when you travel in case you have problems (and it’s handy to have the necessary emergency phone numbers to hand).
By the way, don’t assume that just because going to a preerected campsite in France is cheap, it will necessarily be disappointing. Kids love camp sites because there are things to do and other kids to play with. If they’re happy, you’re happy. I have many fond memories of French camping holidays – honest.
QI’M DREADING our trip to Florida at Easter because there is always a horrendous queue at immigration – two hours in Orlando last time I went. Someone told me that there is a ‘fast track’ through immigration which costs extra but I would be more than happy to pay for it. Brian, by email
AYOU’RE thinking of Global Entry which is explained in full on its web site (goo.gl/ VyXxs1). As you’ll see, you’ll first need to pay £42 to complete a Home Office eligibility process and then pay $100 to the US border force to get the pass (this involves an in-person interview at a US airport). I was dubious about the cost and the hassle but I can assure you it’s worth it: I sail through immigration whenever I visit the US! As with any of these application sites, make sure you’re on the official one and not on a scam site which will trick you into paying extra.