Ordinary car insurance policies do not normally cover rental vehicles, one expert has said.
Malcolm Tarling, a spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers said that, for this reason, anyone renting a car in Europe should use one of the "big dealers" such as Avis or Hertz .
He explained that as they have a network of "reputable associates of offices" across Europe, such firms would be well positioned to help people with car insurance queries.
Mr Tarling added that while smaller, local firms were likely to be "perfectly reputable", they would not necessarily be able to assist people with car insurance matters, leaving people unaware about their possible lack of cover.
"With hire cars, the obvious thing to do is stick with a reputable company," he concluded.
According to research conducted by Zurich last year, 28 per cent of British Motorists who drive abroad do not check their insurance policy to see if it will be valid in the countries they are visiting.




