Temporary Insurance Cover

Comprehensive short term or temporary vehicle insurance for a period of 1 hour to 28 days. Compare short term vehicle insurance quotes for cars, vans, motorbikes and more through our directory listing of dedicated providers below.

[Temporary Vehicle Insurance]

Understanding temporary and short term insurance

What is temporary insurance cover?

Temporary insurance cover allows you to legally drive a vehicle on UK roads for as little as 1 hour, or up to a few months. It is a cheap and convenient solution when you need short term car insurance without risking your no-claims bonus on your main vehicle.

This cover can be essential in emergencies, or when borrowing vehicles for short tasks like moving house. It can also protect you when test-driving a vehicle, or teaching a learner to drive.

How does temporary insurance work?

When you choose temp cover insurance, you can specify when you want it to start, and how long you want it to last. So if you need immediate coverage to borrow a van for a few hours, you can be insured on the same day you buy the policy.

You do not need to be added as a named driver, and this is a stand alone insurance policy. So if you are in an accident, neither you or the vehicle owners no claims history will be impacted. However, if you are in an accident, you will be covered for the damages included on your temporary insurance policy.

Benefits of finding cheap temporary insurance

Temporary insurance is an essential alternative to annual vehicle insurance policies, or being added as a named driver. The benefits of choosing short term cover include:

Flexible coverage so you pay for the exact time you need
Same day insurance cover with an immediate start
A competitive alternative to drive-away insurance offered by car dealers
A low cost option for high risk drivers priced out of annual policies
Does not jeopardise your no-claims discount

Types of temporary vehicle insurance

Temporary insurance for different vehicles

You can find temp cover for a range of vehicles including:

Short-term vehicle insurance options

Short term motor insurance policies can be tailored to your needs. Just a few options of cover include:

Coverage available on temporary insurance

Temporary cover vehicle insurance is available in the same levels of coverage as an annual vehicle insurance policy.

Third party only (TPO) – This is the minimum level of vehicle insurance required under UK law. It protects other drivers and their property.
Third party, fire, and theft (TPFT) – This is similar to third party insurance, but will also pay out if the vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire.
Comprehensive cover – This includes everything that is covered by TPFT, but will also cover the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle you are insured on if you are in an accident.

Who can benefit from temporary insurance?

Temporary insurance is helpful for anyone who needs to drive a vehicle they are not currently insured on for a short period of time. Popular uses for temporary insurance cover include:

Temporary van insurance

Whether you need to pick up a piece of furniture or equipment or are moving house, short term van insurance can cover you for borrowing a van for the job.

Temporary insurance for young drivers

The cost of car insurance for young drivers has increased dramatically in recent years. Temporary insurance for young drivers can help in emergencies or when a second driver is needed.

Temporary insurance for international drivers in the UK

Visitors to the UK can find temporary vehicle insurance for their time here. However, there may be some restrictions based on the licence you hold. Some providers will only cover UK licences, whereas others cover those with full EU licences.

Temporary European insurance

These options can help out those travelling to Europe by car from the UK or NI. Even with fully comprehensive car insurance, you might not be insured to drive other vehicles. If you need a second driver for a road trip, temporary insurance can help.

Temporary insurance for non-UK licence holders

While most temporary insurance providers ask for a full UK licence, there are plenty to insure those with an EU driving licence.

Temporary learner driver insurance

Temporary cover for learner drivers can insure you for learning to drive in someone elses car. You will still need to be accompanied by an experienced driver who meets the criteria for accompanying a learner.

How do I get temporary insurance?

To get short term car insurance, you will need to specify what level and length of coverage you want, and when you want the policy to start. You will need to provide your details including the vehicle you want to be insured on, and which driving licence you hold. From here, insurers will assess your risk and offer a price for your specific temporary insurance needs. To find cheap temporary insurance, you could benefit from comparing quotes from multiple providers. At Quotezone, we help speed up this process by giving you a list of UK temporary insurance providers in one place.

How much is temporary insurance?

The amount you pay for your temporary insurance will depend on several different risk factors, many of which will be unique to your circumstances. As a guide, temporary insurance costs* can come in at:

20.78 for 1 hour
33.87 for 1 day
90.93 for 1 week

Factors influencing temporary insurance rates

Insurers will calculate your premiums based on your overall risk of making a claim should they insure you. Common indicators of your risk to insurers include:

The length of cover you choose
Your claims history
The type and value of the vehicle you are insuring
Your age
Your location
If you have any driving convictions
Coverage and add-ons you choose

Tips for finding cheap temporary insurance

These steps could help you find cheap temp insurance:

Limit add-ons
Increase your voluntary excess
Only insure the vehicle for the time you need
Shop around to compare temporary insurance quotes

Temporary insurance FAQs

Who is eligible for temporary vehicle insurance?

Conditions can vary across providers. But generally, any person between 17 and 75 years old with either a full UK licence held for a minimum of 6 months, an EU licence for a minimum of 12 months, or a provisional driving licence.

Do I need to be insured if I'm driving a vehicle that isn't mine?

Yes, even if you are only driving the vehicle for a few minutes, you need insurance. It is an offence to drive without a minimum of third party insurance in the UK. Temporary insurance is a cost-effective option to help protect you when driving someone else’s vehicle if you dont already have DOC (driving other cars) cover on your own insurance.

Is temporary insurance available for European travel?

Yes, this can be a great option if you are travelling to Europe for holidays and could benefit from having another driver insured on your vehicle.

Can I get temporary insurance for multiple drivers?

Yes, temporary driver insurance is not the same as adding additional drivers onto an annual insurance policy. These act as stand-alone policies, so there are fewer limits and can be taken out by multiple drivers.

Does temporary insurance affect my no-claims bonus?

No, temporary driving insurance is a separate policy, so claims wont affect your no claims bonus on your annual policy. However, the claim could still impact the cost of your annual insurance going forward.

Can I tax a vehicle using temporary insurance?

Yes, if you need to tax a vehicle in the UK, temporary insurance can help. You can choose to start this coverage instantly, meaning you dont have to wait around for insurers to update the Motor Insurance Database (MID) before you tax the vehicle.

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[A reflection in a car side mirror showing drivers tailgating or driving too closely behind.]