Need Car Insurance for Just a Day? A Guide to Temporary Cover

Terry Twoo

Published in English •

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Summary

• Temporary car insurance is a standalone policy for short-term use, from one hour up to 30 days.
• It protects the car owner's no-claims bonus if the temporary driver has an accident.
• Ideal for borrowing/lending cars, driving a new purchase home, or sharing a long journey.

Ever been in that awkward spot? You need to borrow your mate's van to pick up a sofa, or maybe your cousin is visiting from abroad and wants to use your car for a weekend trip. The thought of getting them added to your annual insurance policy—the admin, the cost, the risk to your precious no-claims bonus—is enough to make you want to call the whole thing off.

What if there was a way to get fully-covered, legit insurance for just the time you need it, whether that's for an hour, a day, or a few weeks?

That’s exactly what short-term car insurance is for. Think of it as the Pay As You Go of the car insurance world. It’s a simple, flexible solution for a temporary problem. But how does it work, is it a rip-off, and when should you actually use it? Let's break it down.

What on Earth is Temporary Car Insurance?

In a nutshell, temporary car insurance (or short-term cover, they're the same thing) is a standalone insurance policy that covers you to drive a specific car for a limited time. This can be anywhere from just one hour up to 28 or 30 days.

The crucial word here is standalone.

This isn't an add-on to someone's existing policy. It’s a completely separate, new policy in your name, for that car, for that specific period. And that’s its superpower.

Because it's a separate policy, if you have a bump while borrowing your friend's car:

• Their no-claims discount is safe. The claim is on your temporary policy, not their annual one.
• Their future premiums aren't affected. You’re the one who made the claim, so it’s your record that’s impacted, not the car owner's.

Most of the time, these temporary policies provide comprehensive cover as standard. That’s the highest level, covering damage to the car you’re driving, as well as any damage or injury you cause to other people or their property.

When Would You Actually Use This Stuff?

This isn't a replacement for your normal yearly insurance. It's the Swiss Army knife you pull out for specific situations. Here are the most common ones:

• Borrowing a car: The classic use case. You need a bigger car for a tip run, your car is in the garage, or you're helping a friend move house.
• Lending your car: Your pal needs to borrow your car for a day. Instead of adding them to your policy (and risking your no-claims), they can get their own one-day policy.
• Driving a new car home: You've just bought a car from a private seller or dealer and need to get it home legally before you've had time to shop around and sort out your annual insurance.
• Test driving a car: Especially useful for a private sale. It ensures you’re properly covered, rather than relying on the seller's policy which might not cover you.
• Sharing the driving on a road trip: Got a long journey planned? Everyone who’s taking a turn at the wheel can get their own temporary cover for the days you're away.
• Emergency situations: The designated driver for a night out falls ill, and someone else needs to drive their car home. A quick policy set up on a smartphone can save the day.
• Learner drivers getting extra practice: You can get specific temporary learner insurance to practice in a friend’s or parent’s car, which is often cheaper and more flexible than being added to their main policy.

The Nitty-Gritty: Who Can Get It and What Are the Rules?

Okay, it sounds useful, but there are some hoops to jump through. Insurers are all about managing risk, so they have a checklist for both the driver and the car. These can vary between providers, but here’s a general idea.

For the Driver:

• Age: You usually need to be between 18 and 75. Some insurers won't cover drivers under 21, while others have a higher age limit of 78.
• Licence: You’ll need a current, valid, full UK driving licence, often held for at least 6 months (or sometimes 3 months if you're over 25).
• Driving History: This is a big one. You'll likely be turned down if you have too many penalty points (e.g., more than 7), a driving ban in the last few years, or multiple fault claims recently.
• Address: A permanent UK address is almost always required.

For the Vehicle:

• Value: Most policies have a cap on the car's market value, typically somewhere between £50,000 and £75,000.
• Registration: The car must be registered in the UK.
• MOT: It needs a valid MOT, unless you are specifically driving it to a pre-booked MOT appointment (and the policy allows for this!). You can't use it to drive a car that's failed its MOT, except to a garage for repairs.
• Modifications: Generally, cars with performance-enhancing modifications are a no-go. Cosmetic changes might be okay, but engine tuning or big body kits will likely get you a "computer says no". If you're unsure, you can learn more about how car modifications affect insurance.
• Prohibited Uses: You can't use temporary insurance for taxi work, deliveries, or any form of hire and reward. It’s for personal use, commuting, and sometimes business travel (like driving to a meeting).
• Ownership: You can't insure a rental car this way. Hire companies have their own specialist insurance.

Let's Talk Money: Is It Expensive?

Here's the straight answer: yes and no.

On a per-day basis, temporary car insurance is more expensive than the daily cost of an annual policy. That’s the price you pay for the flexibility.

However, compared to the alternative—like paying a £50 admin fee to be added to someone's policy for two days, and potentially costing them hundreds if you have an accident—it's often a bargain.

So what sort of figures are we talking about?

• One Day: Expect to pay anywhere from £20 to £35.
• One Week: This could be around £60 to £95.
• One Hour: Some providers offer hourly cover starting from under £10.

The final price depends on the usual suspects: your age, postcode, the car's insurance group, and your driving record. You can find out more about a car's category by checking what insurance group your car is in.

The policy excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) can also be a bit higher than on an annual policy, often around £500-£750 as standard.

The Weird Questions and Hidden "Gotchas"

This is where things can get confusing. Here are answers to the questions you might actually ask.

Can I use it to tax a car?
Yes, you can! But there’s a catch. For the DVLA system to recognise that the car is insured, the policy details need to appear on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). While your cover is active from the moment you buy it, the MID can take up to 24 hours to update. So, you might have to wait a day before you can tax the vehicle online or at the Post Office.

What if I want to drive in Europe?
Some policies include basic third-party cover for driving in the EU as standard. However, this is the minimum legal level and won't cover damage to the car you're driving if you're at fault. If you want comprehensive cover abroad, you'll usually need to add it as an extra. Always, always check the policy wording before you book the ferry.

Is it better than being a "named driver"?
For a short period, almost certainly. If your parents add you to their policy as a named driver for a year while you're at uni, that makes sense. But for a weekend? Getting a temporary policy is quicker, protects their no-claims bonus, and avoids paying their insurer an amendment fee.

Can I insure a SORN car?
Only for one specific journey: driving it to a pre-booked MOT test. The car cannot be used for anything else until it is taxed and has a valid MOT. If you need a refresher, check out our guide to declaring a car SORN.

How to Get Covered: The Process

Thankfully, this is the easy part. The whole process is designed to be quick and digital.

1. Find a Provider: Major comparison sites all have sections for temporary insurance. You can also go direct to specialists like Tempcover, Dayinsure, GoShorty, or Cuvva.
2. Get a Quote: You’ll need your personal details (name, address, date of birth) and your driving licence number. You'll also need the registration number of the car you want to insure.
3. Choose Your Duration: Select how long you need cover for, from one hour up to the maximum 28 or 30 days.
4. Pay and Go: Once you've paid (it's always paid in full upfront), your policy documents are emailed to you instantly. Your cover can start in as little as 15 minutes.

And that's it. You’re legally insured and ready to hit the road. It’s a simple solution for those times when life throws a temporary driving challenge your way. It might not be the cheapest option by the day, but for the peace of mind and protection it offers, it’s often the smartest.

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