How much does temporary car insurance cost?
The average prices for one day and one week are1
One day
£42
One week
£117
1Figures taken from Tempcover for average policy purchases in December 2020
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 online in just a few minutes. Documents are instantly emailed to you so you’re ready to go as soon as your cover starts.
How does temporary insurance affect an existing insurance policy?
It doesn’t - as long as the details you provide are correct and you’re driving within the arranged policy start and end date, any accidents that happen are covered by the temporary policy.
Any existing no-claims bonus you or the car owner hold won't be affected.
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?
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
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 be insured?
You can get cover for cars, and we also offer temporary van insurance.
Will I be covered for business use?
Policies cover you to use your vehicle for social, domestic and 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 varies by insurer.
Can new drivers get cover?
Yes, but you must have passed your driving test at least 6 months ago, have held a full licence for the same amount of time 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 can 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
Other types of car insurance
Weekly car insurance
offers flexible cover from 1 – 4 weeks.
One day car insurance
includes instant cover with no long-term contract.
Learner driver car insurance
gives learners the protection to safely practice on the road.
Car insurance for 17-year olds
helps protect young drivers out on the road for the first time.
Car insurance guides
How to add a named driver to your car insurance policy
Adding a named driver to your car insurance policy doesn’t need to be confusing.
Can I drive someone else’s car on my car insurance policy?
Being able to drive other cars isn’t included on every policy. Find out more about the driving other cars policy clause.
Car insurance policy types explained
Figuring out which level of cover suits you can be a headache. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common policy types and what they do.
Is my car insured? How to check your car insurance
Here's why your car needs valid insurance and how you go about checking if you're insured to drive.
What happens if I don’t get car insurance?
Making sure you’re insured to drive doesn’t just protect you, it’s also a legal requirement.
How to get cheaper car insurance
With insurance costs on the rise, here's how you can keep your prices down.
Confused.com's temporary cover solution is provided by Tempcover LTD. Tempcover LTD are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 746985. Tempcover LTD is registered in England No. 9923259 at office: 2nd floor, Admiral House, Harington Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 4BB. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives a percentage of commission received by Tempcover LTD.
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