Short answer: UK car insurance provides the minimum legal third-party cover in France. Whether damage to your own vehicle is also covered depends on your insurer, policy tier and how long you stay.
What does minimum cover actually pay for?
Third-party liability addresses your legal responsibility for harm to other people or their property. It is not a promise that your own car will be repaired or replaced after a collision or theft. The UK Government makes this distinction explicit and advises contacting your insurer about extra protection.
Examples of published insurer limits
| Insurer / tier | Published European cover | Time allowance |
|---|---|---|
| AA Silver | Same as home policy | 30 days per policy year |
| AA Gold / Platinum | Same as home policy | 90 days per policy year |
| Allianz Online Silver | Comprehensive | 90 days per policy year |
| Allianz Online Gold | Comprehensive | 180 days per policy year |
| LV= Comprehensive | Same as UK comprehensive | 180 days per policy year |
| Saga Standard / Select / Plus | Selected home policy cover | 90 / 180 / unlimited per policy year |
Limits in this table are based on the named published products—not a claim that every policy sold under a familiar insurer’s brand is identical. Count earlier foreign-use days where the cap is expressed per policy year.
Do UK motorists need a Green Card for France?
No Green Card is normally needed for a UK-insured car in France. You still need valid insurance and should carry the insurance certificate, driving licence and V5C or the applicable proof for a leased vehicle. Check official rules for every country through which you drive.
What if the trip is longer than your allowance?
Contact the insurer before departure to request an extension and written confirmation. Do not assume a second short trip resets a policy-year total. Separately check European breakdown and recovery cover: insurance for an accident is not the same as roadside rescue.
Original sources
Research links checked 30 October 2026. Please confirm the current policy edition and your personal schedule.
Check your exact tier.
The result changes with insurer, destination, cover type and trip duration. Run a personalised check with direct-source citations.
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