What isn't covered by temporary car insurance?
There are certain things that aren't included in a temporary car insurance policy. These include:
- Driving other vehicles
- Additional drivers
- Claims that happen outside of the stated use for the car
- Anyone other than the car owner releasing the car from an impound
Driving other vehicles. You’ll only have short-term cover 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 car 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.
Anyone other than the car owner releasing the car from an impound. The police will only allow the vehicle owner to reclaim an impounded car. A temp policy won’t help you unless you’re the vehicle owner.
How much does temporary car insurance cost?
The average prices for one day and one week are1
One day
£44.20
One week
£119.37
1Figures taken from Tempcover for average policy purchases in February 2022
Your own costs will depend on:
- Your age
- Your driving experience
- The car you're looking to insure
- How long you need short-term 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 car 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.
What is one day car insurance?
One day insurance provides you with the short-term cover you need. It also spares you the hassle and cost of committing to a longer-term policy. This is useful if you need to borrow somebody else’s car or let someone drive yours.
What are the benefits of short term car insurance?
Arranging one day car insurance is quick and can be a saviour in an emergency. You can set up cheap daily car insurance as and when you need. This spares you the expense of being added as a named driver to a standard car insurance contract.
One day car insurance allows you to enjoy the benefits of:
- No long-term contracts
- Cover from 1 hour to 28 days
- Insurance as and when you need it
- Comprehensive cover
- The chance to arrange cover instantly
How long does it take to get a temporary car insurance 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 car insurance affect an existing insurance policy?
Short-term 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 car insurance policy.
Any existing no-claims bonus you or the car owner hold shouldn't be affected.
Can I get weekly car insurance?
Yes, you can get temporary car insurance cover for a week. When you get a quote simply select the cover policy length you want and you’re good to go.
Can I use temporary car insurance to drive in Europe?
Yes, you can get temporary car 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.
If you have an existing car insurance policy, you might already have some level of cover for driving in Europe. It’s worth checking with your provider to find out the details.
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 vehicle with temporary car insurance?
Yes, you can tax a vehicle with a temporary car 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 temporary car insurance cover for most vehicles. 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 varies depending on your insurance provider.
Can new drivers get short-term 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
Temporary car insurance can be a great option if you need short term comprehensive cover quickly. You might need to drive a friend’s car at short notice but only need car insurance for one day, a week or more. Temp cover can give you peace of mind when you’re on the road.
Car insurance product manager
Other types of car insurance
Black box car insurance
lets you prove you’re a safe driver, and save money on your policy, even if you’re inexperienced or seen as high risk.
Classic car insurance
offers cover for owners of classic cars. For insurance purposes, a classic car can be any car that’s older than 15 years.
Business car insurance
covers you if you use your car for work, including travelling between offices or across the country.
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.
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