Table of Contents
- How does temporary car insurance work?
- How long can you have temporary car insurance for?
- Short-term car insurance options
- What types of temporary car insurance cover can you get?
- What does temporary car insurance cover?
- What are the advantages of temporary car insurance?
- How much is temporary car insurance?
- How to get cheap temporary car insurance
- Are there alternatives to temporary car insurance?
- Temporary car insurance FAQs
Temporary car insurance can give you short term protection behind the wheel, for example if you need to drive someone else’s car or test drive a new vehicle. Because of this, it is also sometimes called short-term car insurance. Read on to learn more about temporary car insurance, including how it works, how much it costs, and whether short-term cover is right for you.
How does temporary car insurance work?
Temporary car insurance is similar to standard car insurance in that it allows you to drive a car legally. The main difference is that the protection will be in place for less than the normal 12 month term associated with traditional cover.
As the driver, you must take out the temporary policy, even if the car isn’t yours. If you’re involved in an accident while a short term car insurance policy is in place, any no-claims discount (NCD) you have on a separate standard policy may be protected, as could that of whoever owns the car.
You don’t need to already have a standard annual policy to take out temporary short-term car insurance.
How long can you have temporary car insurance for?
Temporary car insurance can usually be taken out by the hour, day, week or month. You choose the length when applying for the cover. If your policy ends, and you need more time, you may be allowed to extend your cover by paying an extra premium.
However, a standard annual car insurance policy may prove cheaper if you need more than 30 days’ cover, or are likely to need temporary car insurance several times in a 12 month period.
» MORE: Compare car insurance
Short-term car insurance options
Hourly car insurance
You may want to arrange car insurance by the hour if you’re collecting a new car, test driving a car you may buy privately, or if there’s an emergency and you need to drive a different vehicle for a short period at short notice.
One day car insurance
Daily car insurance may prove useful if you’re hiring a vehicle to move home, sharing driving duties in someone else’s car on a day trip, or borrowing a car from a relative or friend while yours is at the garage.
Weekend car insurance
Taking out temporary car insurance for the weekend may be useful if you’re having a short break away, or you’re a student coming home for the weekend.
Weekly car insurance
You may want a one week car insurance policy if you’re borrowing a car to go on holiday, or because yours is in for major repairs.
Monthly car insurance
Monthly car insurance policies tend to last for either 28 or 30 days, and may be useful if you know you’re borrowing a car for a prolonged period, for example if you’re a student home for holidays, or waiting for a new car.
What types of temporary car insurance cover can you get?
Temporary car insurance is normally offered on a fully comprehensive basis. As the highest level of protection available, a comprehensive policy should cover the damage and loss of the car you’re driving if there’s an accident, fire, or it’s stolen or vandalised, as well as your injuries. In addition, it should cover the cost of damage to someone else’s vehicle or property, and their medical bills, if needed.
Some insurers also offer temporary third party car insurance. Third party only car insurance is the minimum cover required to drive, but it will only cover the damage and costs incurred by others if there’s an accident. If the car you’re driving is damaged or stolen, or you are injured, you foot the bill.
It can also be possible to get short-term car insurance on a third party, fire and theft basis. This offers the same protection as third party cover, along with cover against fire and the car being stolen.
What does temporary car insurance cover?
Generally, temporary car insurance is arranged on a comprehensive basis:
| Will cover | Won’t cover |
| Repairs to the car you’re driving after an accident | Accidents if someone not named on the policy is driving the car |
| Your injuries | Accidents if you’re driving a different car to that specified on the policy |
| Repairs to someone else’s vehicle | Certain uses excluded by the policy, for example, operating as a taxi |
| Injuries suffered by other drivers and their passengers | Accidents if you don’t have a driving licence |
| Injuries to your passengers and other third parties | Accidents if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
| Damage to someone else’s property | Theft or damage to the car if it’s left unlocked |
| Accidental damage to the car you’re driving | Repairs for normal wear and tear, including mechanical and electrical faults |
| Damage to the vehicle caused by fire | Rental, hire or courtesy cars |
| The car being stolen or vandalised | |
| Legal expenses arising from claims | |
| Driving in the EU on a third party basis |
It’s essential to check the details of any car insurance policy before buying to establish the cover you have.
Depending on the insurer, there may also be optional add-ons you can pay extra for, such as breakdown cover, possessions cover or fully comprehensive protection when driving in Europe.
What are the advantages of temporary car insurance?
The main benefits of short term temporary car insurance include:
- Flexibility: choose between hourly, daily, weekly or monthly cover, as well as the level of cover you want, and optional extras.
- Fully comprehensive: Most short-term car insurance policies tend to be “fully comp”, the most complete cover available.
- Quick to arrange: Temporary car insurance is usually quick and easy to set up.
- Cost-effective cover: It may cost less than paying for cover for an entire year.
- Doesn’t affect your NCD: Making a claim won’t usually affect any no-claims discount on your main policy.
How much is temporary car insurance?
How much temporary car insurance costs you will depend on several factors, including the length of cover you want and the type of car being insured. Your age, job, where you live, and driving history are important too, as are the amount of miles you’re likely to drive and the excess you’re willing to pay if you make a claim.
A higher value vehicle, driving longer distances, inexperience behind the wheel, past motoring convictions, and a lower excess could all increase the cost of short term car insurance.
» MORE: Why is car insurance so expensive?
Is temporary car insurance cheaper than annual insurance?
Temporary car insurance is likely to cost you less than an annual policy if you only need cover for a short period of time. However, there’s a good chance that taking out several temporary policies in a year, particularly over longer periods, will cost more than a single annual car insurance policy.
Think carefully before buying and compare temporary car insurance policies with each other and annual policies. Check the level of cover you are getting for the cost, and make sure you’re getting the protection you need.
» MORE: Compare car insurance
How to get cheap temporary car insurance
To try and keep the cost of temporary car insurance to a minimum:
- Choose the cover duration carefully: You only want to pay for the period of cover you really need.
- Increase the excess: The more you’re willing to pay yourself as an excess if you make a claim, the cheaper temporary car insurance is likely to be. But be sure to choose an amount you can afford to pay if you need to.
- Cut back on your mileage: Driving fewer miles usually means lower premiums.
- Don’t pay for unnecessary add-ons: Only select the optional extras you’re offered if the cover is something you need.
- Compare policies: Don’t simply buy the first policy you find – always shop around to find the right cover for you.
» MORE: 17 tips for getting cheaper car insurance
Are there alternatives to temporary car insurance?
Be added as a named driver on another policy
If you’re a named driver on somebody else’s existing car insurance policy, you’re covered for driving their car. Just be aware that if the named driver makes a claim, the main policyholder’s no claims discount may be affected.
Check your comprehensive policy
Sometimes comprehensive cover will allow you to drive other cars. It may only be an option in particular circumstances, such as an emergency, and there could be certain restrictions, typically in terms of age. Also, it may only provide cover on a third party basis, but it’s worth checking your current policy to find out.
Temporary car insurance FAQs
Yes, temporary insurance can be taken out on a car that isn’t insured. You don’t need to have a standard annual car insurance policy to get short term car insurance.
No, you cannot legally drive a car you’ve just bought without car insurance. You always need at least third party car insurance, whether it’s temporary or standard cover, to drive in the UK.
Yes, you can arrange temporary car insurance on a car that is already insured by someone else.
Yes, you can tax your car if you have temporary car insurance. You need insurance in place to tax a car, and short term car insurance allows you to do this, once your details appear on the Motor Insurance Database.
No, it’s not usually possible to build up a no claims discount with short term temporary car insurance.
Yes, it is possible to get one-day car insurance, which may prove useful if you’re borrowing a vehicle for the day.
It’s possible to arrange hourly car insurance if you need temporary cover.
No, you are not usually allowed to add an additional driver to a temporary car insurance policy. Any extra drivers will need to arrange their own short term policy. Temporary car insurance for multiple drivers isn’t available.
You can arrange temporary car insurance multiple times a year. However, if you own the car it will probably be cheaper to get a standard annual policy.
Yes, new drivers can take out temporary car insurance, as can young drivers.
Yes, some insurers offer temporary or short term car insurance for business use. You may need business car insurance if you’re a taxi driver, a courier, or drive a lot due to your job.
Yes, you can get temporary van insurance if you temporarily need cover to drive a van. Short term van insurance may be useful if you’re moving home or if you occasionally need to hire a van as part of your job.
It may be possible to get temporary cover if you have points on your driving licence, but it’s likely to depend on how many points you have and when they were accrued. Having points or a driving conviction is likely to mean you have fewer short term cover options and it may lead to higher premiums.
Standard temporary car insurance doesn’t usually cover rented vehicles – this usually requires you to take out specific car hire insurance.
Yes, it is possible to take out temporary learner driver car insurance that provides short term cover while you’re practising with your parents or taking private lessons.
Yes, some insurers offer short term classic car insurance for vintage or collector vehicles.
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