What isn't covered by temporary car insurance?
Much like a 12-month car insurance policy, there are certain things that aren't included in a temporary insurance policy. These include:
- Driving other vehicles
- Additional drivers
- Claims that happen outside of the stated use for the car
- Releasing the car from an impound
Driving other vehicles. You’ll only be covered for the car that’s listed under the policy. If you want to drive another car or van, you’ll have to get a 12-month insurance policy.
Additional drivers. The cover is only for the person officially named on the temporary insurance policy.
Claims that happen outside of the stated use for the car. You can only use the car for the purpose you listed in the policy details. If you didn’t include business use in your policy, and go on to use your car for business, you won’t be covered for any claims.
Releasing the car from an impound will have to be settled by the policyholder. The only way to avoid this is to have a temporary policy for releasing impounded vehicles.
How much does temporary car insurance cost?
The average prices for one day and one week are1
One day
£43.02
One week
£116.31
1Figures taken from Tempcover for average policy purchases in October 2021
Your own costs will depend on:
- Your age
- Your driving experience
- The car you're looking to insure
- How long you need cover for
The easiest way to get an idea of how much it'll cost is to get a quote.
Need more help?
How old do I have to be to get temporary insurance?
This depends on the type of driving licence you have:
Provisional licence
If you’ve got a provisional licence, we can’t help you find temp cover but a learner driver insurance policy might be more suited to what you need.
Full licence
If you’ve passed your test and have held a valid full UK licence for at least 6 months, you need to be aged between 17 and 78 to get a policy.
How long does it take to get a policy?
You can get a quote and buy cover online in just a few minutes. You should get the documents emailed to you straight away so you can quickly hit the road.
How does temporary insurance affect an existing insurance policy?
Temporary cover shouldn’t impact your existing policy. That’s as long as the details you provide are correct and you’re driving within the arranged policy start and end date. If the policy is valid, any accidents that happen should be covered by the temporary policy.
Any existing no-claims bonus you or the car owner hold shouldn't be affected.
Can I use temporary insurance to drive in Europe?
You can normally get cover on your existing car insurance policy to cover you while driving in Europe. Some insurance providers will only provide the minimum level of cover for certain countries in Europe, so it’s important to bear that in mind.
If this is the case, you can always take out a temporary insurance to drive in Europe. It’s worth remembering that now the UK has left the EU, you need to carry a green card when driving in Europe. For more information, take a look at our guide on driving in Europe.
Do I need to let the existing insurer know?
No. As long as you have the car owner’s permission, you’re good to go.
Are there any restrictions to temporary car insurance?
Exact restrictions can vary between insurers. Generally, to be a driver you must confirm that you:
- Haven’t been disqualified from driving or had your licence cancelled in the last 2 years
- Have never been refused insurance or had a policy cancelled or voided
- Have no criminal convictions or pending prosecutions
- Have had no more than 7 penalty points on your licence in the last 3 years
- Have had no more than 2 accidents, claims or losses in the last 3 years regardless of blame
You also need to confirm that the car:
- Has a valid MOT, unless you’re using the policy to attend a pre-booked MOT - and hasn’t been declared as SORN
- Hasn’t been modified, unless designed to aid disabled drivers
- Is taxed, unless you’re using the policy to buy the car tax immediately after taking out a policy
Can I tax a car with temporary insurance?
Yes, you can tax a car with a temporary insurance policy. You do it the same way as you would with a 12-month policy, either online through the DVLA website or through your local Post Office.
What details do I need to get a quote?
To get a quote we need to know:
- The vehicle registration or, if you don’t know that, the make and model
- How long you want cover for, between 1 hour and 28 days
- When you want the cover to start
- Details of the driver – date of birth, postcode, type of driving licence and how long you’ve held the licence
- How much the car is worth. The minimum you can enter is £1,500
- The email address and mobile number you want your insurance documents sent to
Which vehicle types can I insure?
You should be able to get cover for most cars. We also offer temporary van insurance if you need cover for something slightly bigger.
Will I be covered for business use?
Policies cover you to use your vehicle for social and domestic use, as well as commuting to and from a permanent place of work.
Some policies may include additional cover such as class 1 business use or travelling to multiple places of work. Once you get your quote, check the insurer's declaration to see what is and isn’t included, as exact cover vary depending on your insurance provider.
Can new drivers get cover?
Yes, but you need to have held a full UK licence for a minimum of six months to get a temporary insurance policy and be aged between 17 and 78.
What our expert says
You might think that because you’ve already got a car insurance policy, you’re automatically covered to drive other cars. This isn’t always the case and even if you are covered, it might only be for third-party damage. A temp policy could be a cheap way to get comprehensive cover and a bit more peace-of-mind when you’re on the road.
Alex Kindred
Car insurance product manager
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