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Damage to the car, third parties, or their property
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Theft, vandalism, and weather-related damage
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Accidents involving uninsured drivers
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Legal liability cover
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Driving in the EU (third-party only)
How to buy temporary car insurance for non-UK residents
Here’s how you get temporary car insurance as an international driver in the UK:
Tell us about you and your vehicle
Choose your cover and how long you need it for
Start your policy when you’re ready
It takes less than 2 minutes to get a quote. No, seriously…it’s that simple.
When might you need temporary car insurance as a non-UK resident?
Short-term vehicle insurance is ideal if you’re an expat spending some time on home turf during the holidays. Or if you’re moving back to the UK and need temporary cover while organising your annual policy. Here’s an overview of the types of insurance available and the best one for your situation:
Visiting for a short stay?
Temporary car insurance is your go-to option. Cover ranges from 1 hour to 28 days, giving you the flexibility to insure your car only for the time you’re in the UK. It’s simple, cost-effective, and perfect for expats on short visits.
Relocating to the UK?
Short-term cover is ideal if you’re moving back to the UK from overseas and need a temporary solution while you organise annual insurance. You can also drive in the UK for up to 12 months without retaking your test if you’re from one of the designated countries.
Staying longer than a few weeks?
If you’re planning to stay over a year, annual car insurance is the better choice. Keep in mind you’ll also need to apply for a full UK driving licence if you’re settling long-term.
Borrowing a car while you’re here?
The car owner can add you to their policy as a named driver. While this might come with an extra charge, it could be more cost-effective than short-term insurance for extended stays.
Bringing your own car from abroad?
If your car already has a policy, you might be covered for third-party damage in the UK. Consider upgrading to comprehensive cover for added peace of mind. If your car isn’t insured or is an import, look into imported car insurance tailored for vehicles not manufactured in the UK.
How temporary car insurance for non-UK residents works
Temporary car insurance for non-UK licence holders is perfect for short-term visits, giving you peace of mind without committing to a long-term policy.
This type of temporary car insurance is flexible by nature, allowing you to choose coverage for as little as 1 hour or up to 28 days. You can even buy policies up to 28 days before you need them.
Here’s how it works:
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Provide car details
Enter the make, model, and value of the car you’ll be driving. -
Choose your coverage length
From 1 hour to 28 days, pick the duration that suits your trip. -
Get instant comprehensive cover
Once you’ve completed your purchase, your policy is activated immediately.
It’s worth noting:
- Expats-only: Confused.com can only offer temporary vehicle insurance to UK expatriates (non-UK residents who previously held citizenship in the UK).
- Comprehensive cover only: You’re covered for damage to your car, third parties, or their property.
- Stand-alone policies: Claims won’t affect any existing insurance you might have abroad.
When your policy ends, so does your cover – no auto-renewals or hidden fees.
What does short-term car insurance for non-UK residents cover?
Every temporary non-UK resident car insurance policy through Confused.com includes third-party cover.
Here’s what you’re protected against*:
While temporary car insurance for non-UK drivers offers comprehensive coverage, there are some limitations:
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Driving other cars: The policy only applies to the specific car you’ve insured
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Additional drivers: Only the named driver on the policy is covered
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Non-agreed use: Claims made for activities outside the agreed purpose, such as business use, won’t be covered
If you need a policy for something beyond temporary use, such as regular commuting or long-term driving, you may need to consider an annual car insurance policy.
*Always review the specific policy wording for details, as coverage may vary by insurer.
Need more help?
Can I get cheap car insurance with an international driving licence?
Even with the higher risk factor of having an international driving licence, you can still find ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance, including:
- Comparing car insurance prices with us
- Exchanging your foreign licence for a UK driving licence
- Finding an insurer that allows you to keep any no-claims bonus you’ve built up in your home country
- Choosing a higher voluntary excess on your policy, if you can afford it
- Paying for your cover annually - this is often cheaper than making monthly payments
- Giving an accurate mileage during your quote
- Completing a driving course such as Pass Plus or an advanced driving course
Do I need car insurance if I’m renting a car?
Not usually - rental cars tend to have some level of insurance included in the price. Check your rental agreement to make sure you have enough cover for your needs before driving. Make sure you increase your level of protection if you need to.
Although you may not need additional car insurance for a rental car, you may want to consider car hire excess insurance. You can use this to help cover any excess you need to pay if you have an accident in your hire car.
Which countries are on the ‘designated countries’ list?
If you have an international driver's licence from you can exchange your licence for a full UK driving licence. That's as long as you do it within 5 years of arriving in the UK. Here are the designated countries:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Republic of Korea
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Zimbabwe
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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