Most car insurance policies generally run for a year but there may be times when you need short-term cover, say for example for one day or maybe a month. That’s where temporary car insurance comes in.
Temporary car insurance covers you for driving someone else’s vehicle or someone driving yours, and there are plenty of instances where this short-term cover may be required.
When you need it
For example, you may decide to borrow a relative’s car because they have a more comfortable vehicle in which to travel a lot of miles across country.
In a similar vein, you may be moving house and need a friend’s estate car in which to transport your possessions.
Rather than the owner of the car having to act as your chauffeur, you may choose to take out insurance to do the job yourself.
Such policies are also useful when you buy a new car but are yet to sort out permanent car insurance, as they enable you to drive the car home from the dealership comfortable in the knowledge that you are insured.
Other examples are when you want to insure another vehicle for a limited period of time if your own is getting repaired. Or making sure you have enough cover to enable someone else to test drive your car if you have put it up for sale.
What it covers you for
Temporary or short-term car insurance guarantees you’ll be comprehensively insured for the car you are borrowing, and that your no-claims discount is protected when lending your vehicle to someone else.
Buying the policy itself is straightforward. The majority of companies allow you to arrange the policies online or over the phone.
And as it takes just minutes to get a quote, you could be covered and on the road in no time.
Generally, temporary car insurance policies last from one to 28 days. In the vast majority of cases, this will be more than enough time to meet your temporary needs.
Short-term cover may seem a lot more expensive than an annual policy when you compare both on a daily-rate basis, but when you only need protection for a limited time, it will actually be a far cheaper and more flexible option for you to consider.
Other benefits include the fact that any no claims bonus you’ve managed to build up on your current car will not be lost should you have an accident while behind the wheel of another vehicle.
This is especially useful when you consider the new vehicle is likely to be unfamiliar.
Finding the right policy
Short-term car cover can cost as little as £10 a day but this will depend on factors such as the driver’s age and their vehicle, as well as the area in which they live.
Insurers will each take different stances on this point. In the majority of cases, cover will only be available to those over the age of 23 but some companies cater for slightly younger drivers.
Similarly, although most will be fully comprehensive policies, it is possible to find third party, fire and theft cover as well.
Bear in mind that your previous driving history will play a part in the decision of the insurance company.
Disqualifications, convictions and previous claims will be factored in when they’re deciding whether to grant you cover.
Some insurers, for example, will allow customers to add European cover for an additional charge which might prove useful if you’re driving abroad.
Confused.com teams up with Tempcover.com
Confused.com has teamed up with market leaders, Tempcover.com, to provide you with short-term car and van insurance at the best price.
Tempcover.com insures more than half a million motorists and provides cover for 18 to 75 year olds, from a panel of selected insurers.
Temporary cover is perfect for those requests from relatives and friends asking to borrow your car, or, with the summer holidays approaching, requests from teenagers asking to borrow their parents car.
By insuring your car separately for occasions such as this, you are protecting your own no-claim bonus.
Get cover in less than five minutes with your policy documents delivered online. Follow this link to start your search for temporary car insurance.
