Before crossing borders with your car, it’s wise to double-check your car insurance. Are you actually covered abroad? You’ll find the answer on the international insurance certificate (formerly the green card). This card shows in which countries your car insurance is valid. It’s also useful to check whether someone else is allowed to drive your car. Most insurers allow this (if you’ve given permission), but it’s still good to verify. That way, you can hit the road with peace of mind!
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"right","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/e3e44454-d3f0-4399-bcf0-8e66a0115adf/car-tips-tricks-1920","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/cd7ca13ae74d433/original/car-tips-tricks-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What to bring in the car"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"What you’re required to carry in your car varies by country. Google can help, but we’ve also made a handy checklist. Items required in most countries: a valid driver’s license (not a copy), car registration papers, insurance documents (and European accident report form), first aid kit, warning triangle, and safety vests (the well-known yellow ones). Not mandatory but useful: blankets (for emergencies), drinking water, food/snacks, cash, phone charger, paper map—and of course, lots of positive energy!
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"left","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/26b44cd2-fa9f-4200-a47c-35e799831882/how-to-start-self-investing-1920","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/2b09a890c0435ccc/original/how-to-start-self-investing-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Vacation check"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"It’s reassuring to know your car will do what it’s supposed to, right? Many things you can check yourself before heading off. Think of the oil level—check it with the dipstick. If it’s low, top it up (make sure to use the correct oil!). Tire pressure can be checked at almost any gas station, and you can easily inflate your tires (again: check the recommended pressure per tire). Lights—are they working properly? Parking lights, low beam, high beam, indicators, brake lights? Do the windshield wipers work, and do you have enough washer fluid? Great! You can also visit a garage for a check-up of your brakes, tow bar, battery, radiator, and air conditioning. Especially useful if you’re heading to southern Europe where temperatures are much higher than here.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"right","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/4bb05c88-ec2b-4cf5-96d6-7360e41dbede/anti-fraud-1920","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/54a7152f8601e746/original/anti-fraud-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Toll"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"In many European countries, you pay toll—a fee to use the roads. Sometimes you pay for a specific route at a toll booth on the highway, like in France, Spain, Italy, and Croatia. In other countries, you buy a vignette (best to arrange before departure!) that allows you to drive throughout the country—this applies to Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Switzerland. Don’t feel like paying toll? Then choose Iceland, Finland, Luxembourg, or Andorra.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"left","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/b12fa40a-4afc-404d-a3e2-6b6e8df4b0b3/ING-communication-rules-1920","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/49ef7f4dac2727d9/original/ING-communication-rules-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Packing tips"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Packing is a must—you can’t avoid it. We love vacations, but we’re less fond of lugging bags and playing Tetris with suitcases. Some smart tips we’ve come across: place heavy items like suitcases, gas bottles, or crates of groceries as close as possible to the backrest of the rear seat. That way, they won’t shoot forward in case of an emergency stop. Give kids their own (backpack) to keep with them in the back seat. This prevents you from constantly digging through the trunk for pencils or a stuffed animal. Use a packing list. The first time, grab one from the internet; after that, add your own must-bring items so it becomes your personalized list. They say “less is more,” but if you’re not great at making choices, here’s another tip: a roof box. Or a trailer—makes it even easier!
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"right","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/7ead30de-7124-4324-8e97-12b8d0b602f4/expats-moving-internationally-1920","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/51d8c4bbc4b4d623/original/expats-moving-internationally-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"cta","textLink":{"url":"/particulier/verzekeren/reisverzekering","text":"Everything about ING travel insurance"}},{"componentType":"linkList","iconTitle":{"title":"Insurance"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/personal/insurances/annual-travel-insurance","text":"Travel insurance"},{"url":"/en/personal/insurances/car-insurance","text":"Car insurance"},{"url":"/en/personal/insurances/home-insurance","text":"Home insurance"},{"url":"/en/personal/insurances/liability-insurance","text":"Liability insurance"},{"url":"/en/personal/insurances/legal-expenses-insurance","text":"Legal expenses insurance"},{"url":"/en/personal/insurances/student-insurance","text":"Student insurance"},{"url":"/en/personal/insurances/czdirect-health-insurance","text":"Health insurance"},{"url":"/en/personal/insurances","text":"All insurance"}]}]}}}