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Drive away insurance

Compare quotes and get instant cover with drive away insurance

  • Flexible cover from 1 hour

  • Buy cover up to 28 days in advance

  • Get instant cover if you need the policy to start immediately

What is drive away insurance?

It's a short-term car insurance policy that gives you cover by the hour.

A common reason for needing drive away insurance is when you’re buying a car as it lets you drive the vehicle home straightaway. Some dealerships may offer driveaway insurance which is free or included in your deal, but you should always ask the specifics of what this covers. You might also get this type of insurance if you’re picking up a car that a friend or relative of yours is buying.

It's a legal requirement to have car insurance on the road, despite how long or far you have to travel, so make sure you are covered in any situation as driving without insurance has serious consequences.

There’s quite a bit to think about when you’re buying a new or second-hand car. While annual insurance can also provide immediate cover, drive away insurance is a temporary solution, so you don’t have to sort out annual car insurance straight away. It gives you more time to look for the best deal on annual cover or add the car to an existing annual car insurance policy.

How long does drive away insurance last?

Drive away policies can last for as little as an hour if you want, or as much as 28 days. This gives you short-term cover to match your needs.

Imagine you’re picking up a new car that’s about an hour’s drive away from home. In this case, you can get drive away car insurance for a few hours to cover you on the drive back.

When you get home, you can shop around to find the best deal on annual car insurance.

How much does drive away insurance cost?

The exact cost depends on a range of factors, including:

  • The make and model of the car
  • How many hours or days you need to be covered

On average, short-term cover for an hour costs £23*, but it's best to get a quote to see what you get for your own personal circumstances.

On an hourly basis, drive away insurance tends to be more expensive than annual cover. But it lets you choose exactly how many hours of cover you want.

Drive away insurance gives you flexibility and means you only pay for the cover you need.

*Based on Confused.com policy sales in November 2022

Compare cheap drive away insurance quotes

What does drive away insurance cover?

These policies are typically only available as fully comprehensive car insurance. This means that it covers injury and damage caused to third parties and their vehicles or property. Plus, you and your car should be covered if you’re in an accident, no matter who’s at fault.

It's also possible to add another driver to your drive away insurance policy. Unnamed drivers usually aren't be covered. If anyone else is going to be driving the car apart from you, contact your drive away insurance provider and let them know.

If you have a no-claims bonus on another car, it shouldn’t be affected by any claims you make on a drive away insurance policy.

What do you need to get a drive away insurance quote?

When you get a quote through us, you need to tell us some things about you and the car you’ll be driving:

Personal details:

  • Your name and address
  • What type of driving licence you have
  • How long you've held that licence

Car details:

  • The registration of the car, or the make and model
  • Its estimated value
  • When you wish the cover to start
  • How long you need the cover for
  • When you wish the cover to start
  • How long you need the cover for

We'll ask you 'what's your reason for cover?' For drive away insurance, please select 'buying or test driving a vehicle'.

Insurers' eligibility criteria for drive away insurance can vary, but usually, you need to:

  • Be aged between 18 and 80
  • Have held a driving license for a minimum of 6 months
  • Have been a UK resident for at least 60 months
  • Have had no more than 1 car insurance fault claim or any claims pending within the last 3 years

Can you tax a car with drive away insurance?

Yes you can. You need to have a valid insurance policy before you can tax a car - the maximum fine for driving an untaxed vehicle is £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.

If you’re buying a brand new car from a dealership, they'll usually have sorted out the vehicle tax for you. But remember, you can't transfer car tax from one owner to another. If you’re buying a second-hand car, can use drive away insurance to tax the car.

What our car insurance expert says

Buying a 12-month car insurance policy at short notice can be expensive. But when you're buying a new car you might feel pressured into making a decision. That's where drive away insurance can help. With cover from as little as 1 hour up to 28 days it means you can legally drive your car home and still have time to properly research your insurance options.

Louise Thomas - Car insurance, personal Finance, mortgage and life insurance expert signature

Louise Thomas

Car insurance expert

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