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Temporary Car Insurance

The quick and easy way to find great value temporary insurance that suits your situation.*

What is Temporary Car Insurance?

Temporary car insurance in the UK provides short-term coverage for drivers who need to insure a vehicle for a limited period, ranging from just an hour up to 28 days, depending on the provider.

It operates in much the same way as a standard car insurance policy, covering drivers for accidents, damage, or theft during the insured period. This type of insurance is ideal for situations like borrowing a friend’s car, sharing driving on a road trip, or covering yourself while test-driving a new vehicle. Unlike traditional annual policies, temporary car insurance is flexible and can be arranged quickly online, often starting immediately after purchase.

When to consider Temporary cover

Temporary car insurance is a great option for a variety of situations where short-term cover is needed. It’s particularly useful for occasional drivers, such as someone borrowing a car for a weekend or driving a family member’s car without being added to their annual policy. Additionally, it’s a handy solution for those test-driving a car before buying or for new car owners who haven’t set up long-term insurance yet.

Importantly, temporary car insurance works separately from any existing policy on the vehicle, so if you do make a claim, it won’t affect the no-claims bonus of the vehicle’s owner, making it a low-risk option for both parties.

What affects the cost of Temporary Car Insurance?

The cost can vary widely based on several factors:

  • The length of cover is a key factor —policies can range from as little as one hour up to 28 days, with longer durations naturally increasing the overall price.
  • The type of vehicle also plays a significant role, with higher-value cars or those with larger engines typically attracting higher premiums.

Other factors include the driver’s age and driving history, as younger drivers or those with points on their licence may face higher costs due to being seen as a higher risk. Additionally, your location, whether you’ll be driving the vehicle abroad, and the level of cover (e.g., comprehensive or third-party) can also influence the final price.

Is it good value for money?

While temporary car insurance can seem pricey compared to daily rates of an annual policy, it’s important to remember that it’s designed for flexibility.

  • To keep costs down, only buy the cover for the exact period you need—don’t over-insure if you only need the car for a day or two.
  • Shopping around and comparing quotes from different providers can also help find the most competitive price.
  • Some insurers may offer additional discounts for low-risk drivers or vehicles with security features, so it’s worth checking for these when comparing.

Ultimately, while temporary insurance may cost more on a per-day basis than annual cover, it’s an affordable way to get legal protection for short-term needs without committing to a full year’s policy.

Temporary Car Insurance

The quick and easy way to find great value temporary insurance that suits your situation.*

Other Types of UK Insurance

It’s not just shopping for Temporary Car Insurance that benefits from comparing quotes. For all types of UK Insurance, you’ll find that it pays to compare a number of policies and prices. Take a look at these other UK Insurance categories.

A simple line-drawn scene, in the Here4 Insurance brand colours of yellow and red, depicting a road with a number of different vehicles on it including cars, vans, trucks, motorhomes, taxis, motorbikes and bicycles. The scene represents some of the types of UK Vehicle and Driver Insurance available in the On the Road category on the Here4 Insurance website.
On The Road
A simple line-drawn scene, in the Here4 Insurance brand colours of yellow and red, depicting a row of different buildings, including houses, apartments, flats, shops, offices, commercial property and rental property. The scene represents the types of UK Insurance available in the Homes and Buildings category on the Here4 Insurance website.
Home & Buildings
A simple line-drawn scene, in the Here4 Insurance brand colours of yellow and red, depicting a town landscape in which different businesses have their offices, workshops, garage and shops. The buildings symbolise the many different businesses, trades and professionals who can find relevant insurance products in the Business, Work and Trade section of the Here4 Insurance website.
Business, Work & Trade
A simple line-drawn scene, in the Here4 Insurance brand colours of yellow and red, depicting a row of different suitcase and travel bags to represent the types of UK Insurance available in the Travel, Holidays and Leisure category on the Here4 Insurance website.
Travel, Holidays & Leisure
A simple line-drawn scene, in the Here4 Insurance brand colours of yellow and red, depicting several different groups of people in a park - one is walking a dog, a couple are sitting on a blanket playing with their young child, and another, younger couple are sitting together on a park bench talking about their future. The scene represents the types of UK Insurance available in the Personal Family and Pets category on the Here4 Insurance website.
Personal, Family & Pets
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*Here4Insurance have partnered with GoShorty to help you get great, flexible short term car insurance. GoShorty is a trading style of Complex to Clear Group Limited registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN.751221). Company Registration Number 05044963. Data Protection Registration ZA456686.