What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance, sometimes called short-term car insurance, is a flexible type of motor cover that lasts for a limited period rather than the usual 12-month policy. Policies can typically cover you for anything from a few hours up to around 28 days, depending on the insurer. It’s designed for situations where you only need to drive a vehicle occasionally rather than permanently insuring it under a full annual policy.
When should you get it?
People often use temporary cover when borrowing a friend or family member’s car, sharing the driving on a long journey, test-driving a vehicle before buying it, or collecting a newly purchased car. One key advantage is that temporary insurance is normally a standalone policy, meaning any claims usually won’t affect the car owner’s no-claims bonus. Many policies are also fully comprehensive, although the exact level of cover will depend on the insurer.
Can you use it to insure your children?
Temporary car insurance can also be useful for families. In many cases, you can arrange temporary cover for your child if they need to drive the family car for a short period, such as during university holidays or when visiting home. Most insurers have eligibility rules, which usually include:
- The driver being at least 18 or 19 years old
- Holding a valid UK driving licence
- Having no major driving convictions
- Driving a car within the insurer’s value or performance limits
How to get the best deal on temporary car insurance?
Temporary insurance can sometimes be cheaper than adding a young driver to a full annual policy, particularly if they only need occasional access to the car.
It’s also possible to get temporary car insurance for learner drivers. These policies allow someone with a provisional licence to practise driving in a parent’s or friend’s car without affecting the main insurance policy if there is a claim. Learner driver policies normally require:
- The learner to hold a valid provisional licence
- A qualified driver aged 21+ supervising
- The supervisor to have held their licence for at least three years
- The car to already be insured by its owner
The cost of temporary car insurance varies depending on the driver’s age, driving history, the type of car, and how long the cover lasts. As a rough guide in the UK:
- £15–£30 for a few hours
- £25–£60 for one day
- £80–£200 for a week
Younger drivers and high-performance cars will usually increase the price.
Is it easy to cancel?
If you want to cancel temporary car insurance, it’s important to know that most policies are designed to run for a fixed period. In many cases you cannot cancel the policy once the cover has started, and refunds are rarely offered. However, you may sometimes be able to cancel before the start time, although the insurer may charge an administration fee. Otherwise, the policy simply ends automatically when the agreed period expires.
