Short Term Car Insurance in the UK: Options and Costs

Summary

• Short-term car insurance lets you insure a vehicle for as little as one hour up to 30 days, with prices starting from around £15 depending on cover level and driver age.
• Temporary policies provide fully comprehensive cover and do not affect the vehicle owner's no-claims bonus if you need to make a claim.
• Short-term insurance is ideal for borrowing a friend's car, test drives, moving house, or sharing driving on long journeys.

Need to borrow a car for a weekend? Moving house and need a van for a day? Short-term car insurance could be the answer. It gives you flexible, temporary cover without the commitment of an annual policy.

What Is Short-Term Car Insurance?

Short-term car insurance is a temporary policy that covers you to drive a specific vehicle for a limited period. Policies range from one hour to 30 days. Some providers offer cover for up to 90 days.

Unlike annual policies, you pay only for the time you need. The cover is usually fully comprehensive, which is better than the third-party-only level you might get from a Driving Other Cars extension.

You can arrange temporary cover in minutes using a smartphone. Most providers offer instant cover once your application is approved.

---

When You Might Need Short-Term Cover

Temporary car insurance is useful in many situations:

• Borrowing a friend's or family member's car for a trip or errand.
• Test driving a car you are thinking of buying privately.
• Moving house and need to drive a van or larger vehicle.
• Sharing driving on a long journey with another driver.
• Returning from university and driving a parent's car temporarily.
• Visiting the UK from abroad and needing to drive here.
• Waiting for your annual policy to start after buying a new car.

It is also handy if your own car is in the garage for repairs. You can insure yourself on a courtesy car or borrowed vehicle while yours is being fixed.

---

How Much Does Short-Term Insurance Cost?

Costs vary depending on several factors. Here is a rough guide:

Duration	Typical Cost (driver aged 25+)	Typical Cost (driver aged 21–24)
1 day	£15–£40	£30–£80
3 days	£25–£60	£50–£120
1 week	£35–£90	£70–£180
30 days	£80–£200	£150–£400

Younger drivers pay more because they are statistically higher risk. The type and value of the car also affects the price. A newer, more expensive car costs more to cover.

Per day, short-term insurance is more expensive than annual cover. If you need cover for more than a few weeks, being added as a named driver on the owner's policy may be cheaper.

---

How To Get Temporary Cover

Getting short-term car insurance is quick and simple:

1. Choose a provider — popular options include Cuvva, Veygo, and Tempcover.
2. Enter the vehicle registration, your driving licence details, and the cover period.
3. Get a quote and pay online or via the app.
4. Cover can start immediately once approved.

You will need a full UK driving licence held for at least one year. Most providers require you to be between 19 and 75 years old. The vehicle must have a valid MOT and road tax.

Check whether the car has any outstanding issues before insuring it. A quick MOT history check confirms the vehicle is roadworthy.

---

Short-Term vs Annual Insurance

How does temporary cover compare to a standard annual policy?

Short-term insurance advantages:

• Pay only for the days you need.
• No long-term commitment.
• Does not affect the car owner's no-claims bonus.
• Quick to arrange — often in minutes.

Short-term insurance disadvantages:

• More expensive per day than annual cover.
• Not available for all drivers or vehicles.
• No no-claims bonus earned on temporary policies.

If you regularly need to drive another car, a named driver arrangement on an annual policy is usually cheaper. Temporary insurance works best for occasional, one-off needs.

---

What Short-Term Cover Includes

Most temporary policies are fully comprehensive. This means they cover:

• Damage to the car you are driving.
• Damage to other vehicles and property.
• Injury to other road users.
• Theft and fire damage.

This is significantly better than DOC cover, which only provides third-party protection. With temporary insurance, both you and the car owner have proper protection.

If you make a claim on a temporary policy, it does not affect the vehicle owner's annual insurance or no-claims bonus. The claim sits on your temporary policy only.

---

Things To Watch Out For

Before buying temporary cover, be aware of these points:

• Excess: You will need to pay an excess if you claim. Check the amount before buying.
• Vehicle restrictions: Some providers exclude high-performance cars, vans over a certain weight, or cars over a certain age.
• Driver restrictions: Drivers under 21 or over 75 may struggle to find cover.
• No cancellation refunds: Most temporary policies cannot be cancelled once started.
• Commercial use: Temporary policies usually cover social and commuting use only. Business use may not be included.

Read the policy terms carefully before purchasing. Make sure the cover level matches your needs for the journey or task ahead.

---

Is Temporary Insurance Worth It?

For short, one-off needs, temporary car insurance is excellent value. It protects you properly, protects the car owner's no-claims bonus, and takes minutes to arrange.

The alternative — driving without proper cover — is never worth the risk. Driving uninsured can result in a £300 fixed penalty, six points on your licence, and your vehicle being seized. In court, fines can reach unlimited amounts.

Compare your options carefully. For more information on the different levels of cover available, see our guide to UK car insurance types. Understanding what you need helps you choose the right cover for every situation.

Read our other articles: