Compare temporary car insurance

Short term car insurance options

Compare the easiest option for getting car insurance for a day, a week, a month or however long you need it.

• Car insurance for 1 month

  Car insurance for 1 month

  Need car insurance for one month? The easiest and cheapest option is to choose an insurer that offers monthly payment and no cancellation fees, then cancel before you pay for your second month. You’ll get the rest refunded if you only need insurance for a little less than a month or if you had to pay for an extra month up front. Most insurers don’t have cancellation fees, and many let you pay monthly.

• Car insurance for 1 week

  Car insurance for 1 week

  Getting car insurance for a short trip away or a weekend holiday is probably easier if you get a rental car and purchase insurance through the rental company.

  Otherwise, if it’s a car you’re borrowing from a friend or family member, just make sure their policy will cover other permitted drivers.

• Car insurance for 1 day

  Car insurance for 1 day

  Need car insurance for one day? A handful of specialty insurers like Insure Daily and Cuvva will offer on-demand car insurance for anytime as short as a few hours to a few days, or longer if you need.

  If you’re just taking your classic car out for a spin to keep the engine working, talk to classic or collector car insurers.

How can I save on temporary car insurance?

The best way to cut back on the cost of taking out temporary car insurance is to shop around. Compare and pick out the best temporary car insurance provider and quote. Here’s some other hints to help steer you in the right direction to saving on short-term insurance.

• Compare and contrast quotes. If you’ve already got a can insurance policy it’s worth contacting your existing provider to get a quote for additional cover on the temporary vehicle. Then, you’ll need to compare this side by side with temporary insurance quotes. You could find that by going back to your existing car insurance provider and stating you’ve found a lower quote elsewhere, that there’s some room for negotiation.
• Consider your coverage needs. If you’re borrowing a valuable vehicle for a long journey laden with motorways and heavy traffic, then comprehensive cover could be advisable, especially if the owner would be devastated by any damage caused to the vehicle. However, if you’re moving house, and only travelling a short distance a handful of times, it might be worth seeking out a provider that offers temporary third party, fire and theft cover.
• Compare providers. There are literally hundreds of temporary car insurance providers out there. Make sure you compare quotes from a diverse range of companies rather than picking the first quote you get.
• Discount codes and coupons. Here at finder, we’re in the loop when it comes to discounts and deals. If there is a discount or offer on temporary car insurance we will be the first to let you know and elicit those savings you’re after.

Things to consider before you buy

Here’s a list of the top things to think about before you choose temporary car insurance cover:

• Do you really need it? It’s ideal if you don’t have an existing policy already, or if you’d prefer the extra security of being fully comp on a borrowed car, but if you already have your own existing fully comprehensive policy, you may already be covered to drive the car third party without the additional cost.
• How long will you be needing the cover to last? Remember, if it’s a month or more, it might be more cost effective to take out an annual policy and cancel it when you no longer need it. Just don’t forget to factor in any cancellation fees applicable to annual policies before finalising your decision.
• What level of cover do you need? Whilst most insurance companies do only offer fully comprehensive policies on a short term basis, there are some out there that will offer temporary third party, fire and theft cover. If you’re an occasional driver taking out a short term policy, for example to share the driving, consider what level of cover you need. And be realistic.
• What’s your driving history? Things like convictions, points on your license and previous insurance claims will factor into the quotes you receive.
• Are you road tripping across Europe? Some temporary insurance companies will allow you to take out European cover for an additional fee. Handy if you’re planning a sightseeing road trip.

Bottom line

There are many insurers that offer short term car insurance so make sure to compare deals.

It’s also worth remembering to be as realistic as possible with the length of time you’ll need cover for as every extra hour or day is likely to increase your premium.

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Common questions about short-term car insurance

• Do car dealerships offer temporary insurance?

  Yes, car dealerships are able to help with the purchase of temporary policy, so it’s worth asking your car dealer about it.

• How long will it take for my insurance to show on the Motor Insurance Database (MID)?

  This is usually done within 48 hours, however bear in mind that it can take up to 7 working days.

• How long can I get temporary car insurance for?

  You can usually get short term car insurance for 1 to 30 days, though some providers offer insurance on an hourly basis.

• How much does temporary car insurance cost?

  This depends on factors such as the length of cover you need, as well as your age, driving experience and location. You may be able to get temporary car insurance for around £7 per hour, or from £20 per day.

  If you’ll only be driving for a couple of hours, it will likely be cheaper to get insurance at an hourly rate, as opposed to cover for a full day.

• Who can get temporary car insurance?

  Each insurer will have their own rules. However, you’ll usually need to have held a full driving licence for at least six months or one year.

  This means learner drivers won’t be able to buy temporary car insurance. They can opt for learner driver insurance instead. A lot of temporary car insurance providers also offer this.

• When might someone need temporary car insurance?

  Temporary car insurance is commonly needed when someone is borrowing a car for a couple of days. It is often bought when students return to the family home for the holidays. It may be needed when you’re collecting or delivering a vehicle.

• Can I purchase temporary third-party, fire and theft insurance?

  It’s unlikely. Most insurers only offer comprehensive car insurance on a temporary basis.

• Does temporary car insurance have an excess?

  Yes, temporary car insurance still has an excess that works in the same way as it does with regular car insurance.

• Can I drive any car if I have temporary car insurance?

  If you get temporary car insurance, you will only be covered to drive the specific car listed on your policy, and not covered to drive in general. Some providers may also have limits on the types of cars you can cover under temporary car insurance.