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Temporary van insurance

Get a quote in 90 seconds and see what you could save with a cheap temporary van insurance deal.

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How does temporary insurance work?

1

Enter a few details

Choose when you want the policy to begin and how long you need cover for and provide some simple information about the vehicle and driver you want to insure

2

Check your price and policy

You’ll be shown the cheapest price from the underwriters available and any exclusions on the policy

3

Get covered

Buy your policy and get all your documents emailed to you straight away

A man driving a van, smiling with a woman in the passenger seat

What is temporary van insurance?

Temporary van insurance, also known as short-term cover, allows you to insure a van for a few hours, days, weeks or months. This can make it a useful option when your existing insurance isn’t right for the situation you’re in. If you need to borrow a van for a short time or only drive occasionally, temporary insurance could work out to be more cost-effective than annual cover.

What do you get with temporary van insurance?

Flexible durations

Get car insurance that lasts for hours, days, weeks or months.

Comprehensive cover

Enjoy full cover with no risk to your no-claims bonus.

Instant protection

No matter how short-notice your needs are, you'll be covered in minutes.

How much is temporary van insurance?

The cost of temporary car insurance depends on the driver, their licence and the vehicle they are looking to insure. More specifically:

  1. Driving history - if the driver who is looking to be insured has any previous convictions or claims this can impact the temporary van insurance quote.
  2. Location - quotes are also dependant on the location of the driver and where they wish to be insured and keep the vehicle.
  3. Car insurance group - vans fall into different groups, which depend on the make and model. The higher the insurance group, the more expensive it will be to insure.

Temporary cover won't generally be cheaper than an annual policy on a day-by-day basis however can be better suited to the needs of the driver.

What our insurances expert says:

"Temporary car insurance policies are a great way to get instant, quick cover. You might be picking up your new car, tiding yourself over until you renew your annual policy, needing quick cover to move home, going on a road trip or planning to borrow a friend or family member’s vehicle. Hourly, daily and weekly policies are quick and easy to book, whatever you need them for.”

Leoni Moninska author headshotLeoni Moninska, Insurances Expert

FAQs

Do I need temporary car insurance?

If you want to borrow a friend or family member’s car or you’re only looking to drive a car as a one-off, temporary car insurance can be a good option.

You might find temporary car insurance useful in the following situations:

  • you are learning to drive in a family member’s or friend’s car
  • you are borrowing a parent’s car while home from university
  • you are using a courtesy car and you want more than third party cover
  • you are borrowing someone else’s car to help you move home
  • you’re borrowing a friend’s car while waiting for yours to be repaired
  • you’re driving your new car home and haven’t yet arranged annual car insurance
  • you only drive occasionally, for example if you own a classic car which you don’t use all the time.

What does short-term car insurance cover?

Most short-term car insurance policies will include fully comprehensive cover as standard. However, some insurers may be able to offer third party or third party, fire and theft cover.

Comprehensive cover will normally include:

  • loss or damage caused by vandalism, theft or fire
  • damage to the car in an accident
  • accident recovery and repair
  • legal cover in case of death or injury to other people
  • legal cover for damage to other people's cars or property

Fully comprehensive cover means you have cover for any damage and theft of the car you are driving as well as for any damage you cause to a third-party, their vehicle or their property. This can provide peace of mind, particularly if you don’t own the car you’re driving.

Do I need temporary car insurance when buying a new car?

You will need some form of insurance in order to legally drive your car away from the point of purchase. A temporary car insurance policy can allow you to get insured for the day or until you've had a chance to get a longer-term policy.

How long does temporary car insurance cover me for?

Temporary car insurance policies are available from just 1 hour to 28 days.

How old do I have to be to take out temporary car insurance?

Insurers that offer short-term car insurance will usually offer cover to drivers between the ages of 17 and 78.

How do I buy temporary car insurance for a car I don't own?

To compare temporary car insurance and buy a policy you will need permission from the car owner. You will also need the following information:

  • the car’s registration number or details of the make and model
  • personal details including your name and address.

Will my no claims discount be affected if I claim on my short-term car insurance policy?

As a standalone policy, short-term car insurance shouldn’t impact the no claims discount of any annual insurance the vehicle owner or the car driver has.

Is temporary cover cheaper than an annual policy?

Temporary insurance can be a more cost-effective option as you’re only paying for the time you need. On a day-by-day basis, it’s unlikely to be cheaper than an annual policy but you won’t need it for 365 days and therefore it’s often cheaper for a few days or weeks.

Can I get extra cover with a temporary car insurance policy?

Most short-term car insurance policies will allow you to bolt on additional cover for an extra cost. This could include:

  • Legal expenses cover - provides cover for legal costs including uninsured loss recovery for a incident that wasn’t your fault
  • Excess reduction - reduce the amount you have pay if you have to make a claim

Can I use temporary car insurance to drive in Europe?

It will depend on the insurer but many do provide cover to drive in Europe at third-party or local equivalent. This could be a good option if your existing car insurance policy doesn't cover you to drive in Europe. Make sure that any temporary policy covers you to drive in Europe to the level you need.

Can I use temporary car insurance for business use?

Yes, you can get temporary car insurance policies that cover you for business use, though you'll need to check before buying your policy.

Does temporary car insurance have a car value limit?

Most insurers also apply limitations on the value of the car, but you should be able to cover a vehicle worth up to £65,000.

Can I take out temporary car insurance if I have points on my licence?

If you have points on your driving licence, previous motoring convictions or a history of several insurance claims, you might find it difficult, or more expensive, to get temporary insurance cover, but different insurers have different acceptance criteria which you may find can cover you.

Can I get temporary insurance to drive a van?

Yes, you can get temporary van insurance that works exactly the same as temporary car insurance - this can be useful when moving home.

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