Jeez, that is a sad story indeed Alistair...!
Dave, I would check your insurance coverage carefully, as it is not unknown for those with UK fully comp insurance to expect that the same level of cover follows them when driving in France or elsewhere, but it is possible that the cover may be reduced while driving abroad to the minimum legally acceptable coverage in whichever country one is visiting... In the UK min cover was RTA which as best I can remember, was a fig leaf at best.. Worth checking..?
