Yep! All standard, annual UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third-party cover to drive in the EU, as well as:
Temporary European/EU car insurance is a short-term insurance policy that allows you to drive in Europe for up to 28 days. It’s the perfect solution for trips across the Channel if you don’t have an annual policy or your existing policy doesn’t suit your holiday plans.
Temporary European car insurance often offers more flexibility than the EU cover included with your annual policy. It allows you to share driving and protect your no-claims bonus without having to make permanent changes to your existing policy.
We’ve got your back when you drive in all EU member states, as well as in the following countries:
You can tailor the duration and start date to fit your travel plans, from 1 hour up to 28 days, giving you total flexibility. This makes it ideal for spontaneous road trips or last-minute travel needs.
Comparing short-term European car insurance with Confused.com is as easy as 1, 2, 3…
That’s much easier than navigating the Paris Metro, right?
With instant activation and flexible deals, temporary insurance is a hassle-free choice for a quick trip across the Channel or a few weeks on the road.
Meanwhile, if you often drive in Europe, you’ll be there a while, or you want comprehensive cover, it might be better to adjust your policy.
Temporary policies offer flexibility, covering you from as little as an hour to as long as 28 days, ideal for a one-off, short-term trip. However, our temporary European policies only offer the legal minimum cover for the country you’re in, which is often third-party only. Consider adjusting your policy if you want comprehensive European cover.
Short-term European car insurance policies allow you to insure a borrowed or hired vehicle without affecting the owner's existing policy. It also lets you insure a friend or family member on your car for your trip without adding them to your annual policy.
Relax! The vehicle owner’s no-claims bonus remains untouched, regardless of what happens during the trip.
Upgrading your policy to include European cover is a good option for frequent travellers and those planning to stay in the EU for extended periods. Most insurers let you add European cover to your existing annual policy, but this isn’t guaranteed. You’ll need to check with your provider.
If your policy includes driving other cars, this usually applies only within the UK. You’ll likely be restricted to the vehicle already named on your policy when abroad. If you need to drive a borrowed or hired car, you’ll have to add to the owner's insurance, which can increase their premiums.
If you’re using your vehicle and plan to share the driving, you’ll have to add additional drivers who aren’t currently on your policy. This can be pricey and messy for the sake of a holiday. Plus, an accident involving a named driver could impact your no-claims bonus.
Based on our data, the average cost of 7 days of temporary cover is £113*, while 14 days costs an average of £159*. However, your quote might be higher or lower, so it’s always best to run a quote for an exact price. Go on, it only takes a few minutes!
We recommend comparing the cost of temporary insurance with an annual policy. Sometimes, 28 days of temporary coverage could cost more than a full annual policy. Most annual policies include 30 days of European cover as standard.
If you plan to use your car more than once in the next 12 months, an annual policy could be more cost-effective. It’s a great option for keeping you covered all year round—a win-win!
*Average policy prices for based on 2023 Confused.com data.
"Taking out temporary additional driver insurance with Confused.com was a piece of cake. It got me on the road and heading to a super-important meeting in a heartbeat!" - Mrs C. Fused
All our temporary car insurance policies include comprehensive cover in the UK. However, when you enter Europe, they provide the legal minimum cover for the country you’re driving in, often third-party only. Here’s what third-party cover includes:
In summary, third-party insurance provides coverage for other people and vehicles involved in an accident that is your fault, but it won't cover you. For further protection for you and your car outside the UK, consider adding comprehensive European cover to your annual policy.
Always check your specific policy details before committing to ensure it meets your needs.
Temporary European car insurance policies don’t cover certain things. These include:
As with any insurance product, certain eligibility criteria apply to short-term European vehicle policies. When you buy online with Confused.com, we need you (and your car) to tick a few boxes:
We love to hear it! You’ll be on your way in no time when you’ve just used Confused.com!
"You’ve got several cover options if you want to drive in Europe. You're either covered by your current insurer or you can get a quote in minutes from us.
While you’re looking at your insurance needs, don't forget to consider adding on or buying a separate European breakdown cover policy. Recovering or fixing your car when you’re so far from home can be expensive and stressful enough, but more so when you’ve got no cover.
If you choose a temporary policy, breakdown cover will have to be bought separately as it's not available as an add on in Europe."
Need more info? We’re all ears! Here are expert answers to FAQs about temporary European car insurance.
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