If you\u2019re coming to the UK from abroad, either as a visitor or an expat, and you\u2019re planning to drive while you\u2019re here, you can use this guide to work out what\u2019s involved in getting temporary car insurance for non-UK residents and how to choose the best policy.<\/p>
You might need temporary car insurance in the following situations if you are planning a trip to the UK:<\/p>
You\u2019re unlikely to need temporary car insurance in the following situations:<\/p>
Not all companies offer short-term car insurance for non-UK residents: some will only accept people who have lived in the UK for at least 3 years. Nevertheless, it is absolutely possible to find companies that offer temporary cover to UK expats and foreign visitors looking to drive in the UK for a short time, including some specialist insurers that have dedicated options for these kinds of circumstances.<\/p>
However, just because an insurance policy is marketed as \u201cexpatriate insurance\u201d, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean it\u2019s the right policy for you: other providers may be able to provide you with the same cover for a cheaper price.<\/p>
It\u2019s important to compare prices and do some careful research because different insurance providers will have different eligibility criteria:<\/p>
You can use it to drive someone else\u2019s car during a personal and\/or business trip for a set time. Most short-term temporary insurance policies go by the hour (in some cases by the minute) and can last up to a month<\/a>.<\/p> Your trip will usually need to start and finish in the UK, but in some cases, you might also be able to purchase cover for trips within the European Union.<\/p> Just like most types of car insurance, it depends on the insurer. Some features will be optional; others will be included in the basic cover along with standard third-party insurance. Think about whether you want to pay extra for the peace of mind that comes with breakdown cover<\/a> or added protection in case of loss and theft.<\/p> The following are the general rules for buying any kind of insurance:<\/p> As with any kind of insurance, the cost will depend on a number of factors relating to you, your driving record, the vehicle, the kind of policy you take out and even where you park. Find out more in our guide on the cost of car insurance<\/a>.<\/p> Be aware that temporary car insurance is likely to cost more per day than the equivalent cost of an annual policy (although it\u2019s almost certainly less expensive than paying for a whole year of insurance when you only need one month) and be prepared to pay more than you would as a UK driver. This is largely because insurance providers expect drivers from abroad to be less experienced at driving on UK roads and, therefore, at more risk of getting into an accident.<\/p> Read the guide we linked to above, do as much research as you can and answer the following questions:<\/p> The more you know, the better equipped you\u2019ll be to find ways to save.<\/p> That depends on how long you\u2019re staying in the UK. If you\u2019re not a UK resident, you won\u2019t be able to exchange your licence for a UK one, but you may be able to drive in the UK for up to 12 months on your foreign licence or longer if it\u2019s a licence from the EU.<\/p> If you become a resident in the UK, you can exchange your licence. You may not need to, depending on where your licence was issued, but you\u2019re likely to get cheaper car insurance if you do. Find out more about driving on a non-UK licence<\/a> on gov.uk.<\/p> There are a few companies offering mid-term car insurance, but it\u2019s not very common. The majority of short-term insurers limit it to about a month.<\/p> This means that if you want to get cover for a longer period, you will need to take out several different monthly policies. It\u2019s still an option, but the longer you need it for, the more expensive it will get.<\/p> At that point, you\u2019ll want to look at the alternatives: you can take out a standard yearly policy, or get yourself added to the vehicle\u2019s owner\u2019s policy (if you are borrowing the car).<\/p> You can use temporary car insurance for the first few weeks while you are getting settled. Since temporary insurance isn\u2019t very cost effective if you need to drive a car for longer than that, you\u2019ll need either a new insurance policy if you\u2019re buying your own car<\/a> or to be added to someone else\u2019s existing policy<\/a> if you\u2019re going to be sharing a car.<\/p> You\u2019re required to insure your car, even if you don\u2019t drive it, unless you register it as off the road through a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You\u2019ll need standard long-term cover \u2013 look for insurers who accept non-UK residents as customers.<\/p>What does temporary car insurance cover as a non-UK resident?<\/h3>
How much does temporary car insurance cost for non-UK residents?<\/h3>
How can I save on my car insurance as a foreign driver?<\/h3>
Should I change my licence to a UK one?<\/h3>
Can I get mid-term car insurance if I\u2019m here for more than 3 months?<\/h3>
What are my insurance options if I plan to move to the UK permanently?<\/h3>
What if I want to insure a car in the UK while I\u2019m living abroad?<\/h3>
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