Travel Insurance for Driving to France - UK Guide 2026
Updated 29 March 2026
Travel insurance is not legally required for driving to France, but going without it is a significant financial risk. Your GHIC card covers emergency hospital treatment. Everything else — repatriation, cancellation, liability, legal costs — requires insurance.
GHIC vs travel insurance
| Coverage | GHIC | Travel insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency hospital treatment | Yes | Yes |
| Repatriation to UK | No | Yes |
| Trip cancellation | No | Yes |
| Personal liability | No | Yes |
| Lost/stolen possessions | No | Yes |
| Dental treatment | Limited | Yes |
| Private hospital treatment | No | Depends on policy |
| Legal expenses | No | Yes (important for driving) |
| Delayed departure | No | Yes |
Get a GHIC first (free)
The UK Global Health Insurance Card is free from nhs.uk. It replaced the EHIC post-Brexit. Apply before your trip — it takes up to 2 weeks to arrive.
The GHIC reduces your out-of-pocket costs for emergency treatment but does not replace travel insurance. You still need a separate policy.
What to look for in a policy
Medical cover
- Minimum £2 million medical cover (most policies offer £5–10 million)
- Must include emergency repatriation to the UK
- Check whether pre-existing conditions are covered
Driving-specific cover
- Legal expenses — if you are involved in an accident in France and need legal representation, this is essential
- Personal liability — covers you if you cause injury or damage to someone else (beyond what your car insurance covers)
- Driving in France not excluded — some cheaper policies exclude self-drive holidays. Check the small print
Trip cancellation
- Covers non-refundable costs if you have to cancel your trip (ferry/tunnel bookings, accommodation, etc.)
- Check what reasons for cancellation are accepted
Excess
- Most policies have an excess (the amount you pay before the insurance kicks in). Typical range: £50–150
- Lower excess = higher premium. Find the balance that works for you
Travel insurance is separate from car insurance
A common misconception: your car insurance covers you for driving in France (liability to other road users), but does not cover:
- Your own medical costs
- Repatriation
- Trip cancellation
- Personal possessions stolen from the car
- Legal expenses beyond the road traffic accident
Similarly, travel insurance does not cover:
- Damage to your vehicle (that is car insurance)
- Breakdown recovery (that is breakdown cover)
- Traffic fines including Crit’Air fines (personal responsibility)
You potentially need three types of cover for a France driving trip: car insurance, travel insurance, and breakdown cover. They cover different things.
Tips for saving money
- Annual policy vs single trip — if you travel more than twice a year, annual is usually cheaper
- Family policies — cover the whole family for less than individual policies
- Comparison sites — use MoneySupermarket, CompareTheMarket, or GoCompare to find the best deal
- Check your bank account — some current accounts include travel insurance (Nationwide FlexPlus, HSBC Premier, etc.)
- Credit card cover — some premium credit cards include travel insurance. Check what is actually covered