{"id":188518,"date":"2019-04-29T15:37:54","date_gmt":"2019-04-29T14:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/?p=188518"},"modified":"2026-02-17T15:44:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:44:17","slug":"short-term-european-car-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/car-insurance\/temporary-car-insurance\/short-term-european-car-insurance","title":{"rendered":"Short term European car insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year, millions of Brits drive to Europe for their holidays. If you\u2019re planning on hitting the continental roads, this guide will walk you through getting extra temporary European car insurance cover for anyone who\u2019ll be borrowing or sharing a car on their trip.<\/p>

What is short term european car insurance?<\/h3>

Short term European car insurance is a type of time-limited cover that insures you on a vehicle for periods between 1 and 28 days while driving in Europe. Due to growing demand, some providers also offer short-term cover for anything from a few hours to several months.<\/p>

This flexible policy is ideal if you\u2019re borrowing a car, sharing a long drive across Europe, picking up a new car, or switching annual policies. It is not a substitute for a regular annual premium if you frequently drive the same car.<\/p>

During the pandemic, people have typically been driving fewer miles, so more consumers have been considering options like temporary cover and pay-as-you-go policies<\/a> as an alternative to traditional car insurance<\/a>.<\/p>

\n
\n

\n \n \n <\/circle>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Short Term European Car Insurance Jargon Explained<\/span>\n <\/h4>\n
\n

Excess:<\/strong> As with regular car insurance, short term European cover typically includes an excess amount. This is the minimum amount you have to pay towards a claim before your insurance company pays the remaining amount.
EU cover:<\/strong> This is an optional extra you can add to your short term policy to cover you while driving in Europe.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Can I use my existing UK car insurance policy to drive in Europe?<\/h3>

Yes. Your UK car insurance policy will typically give you third-party protection<\/a> abroad. However, check with your insurer as the coverage level might differ, and you may need to pay extra for comprehensive cover while driving in Europe.<\/p>

Who is short term European car insurance for?<\/h3>

You\u2019ll want temporary European cover if you\u2019re not covered on the car you\u2019re planning to explore Europe with.<\/p>