THE RAC has launched a new flexible European motoring assistance scheme for company car drivers. At the same time the motoring organisation has warned that driving in Europe without comprehensive cover could become a 'budget-breaking Euro-nightmare' for the 450,000 UK registered company cars which are driven abroad each year.

As company car drivers flock to the continent on business and holiday following the opening of the Channel Tunnel and with the introduction of cheaper ferry fares, RAC Fleet European Motoring Assistance has been launched. Currently fleets must decide whether they want European cover for their drivers when they take out their membership.

The new scheme allows fleet managers to opt for temporary cover and company car drivers can purchase cover individually. The option-packed scheme is available by the day, week, month or year and cover can extend to the entire fleet, or selected vehicles only, on an annual basis. The package can also be taken out by the company by vehicle, and by period abroad as required, and invoiced direct to the business.

Whole fleet cover is from £5 a vehicle and selected vehicles can be covered at £50 a year. A 15% discount applies to standard RAC prices for cover purchased for the travel period only. To an overall limit of £2,000, the scheme includes cover for: roadside assistance, spare parts, accommodation expenses, vehicle repatriation, onward travel or return home, replacement driver, urgent message service and legal expenses.