Temporary car insurance
Get a quote in 90 seconds and see what you could save with a cheap temporary car insurance deal.
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How does temporary insurance work?
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
Check your price and policy
You’ll be shown the cheapest price from the underwriters available and any exclusions on the policy
Get covered
Buy your policy and get all your documents emailed to you straight away
What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance, also known as short-term cover, allows you to insure a car 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 car for a short time or only drive occasionally, temporary car insurance could work out to be more cost-effective than annual cover.
What do you get with temporary car 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.
Is temporary car insurance right for you?
Temporary car insurance could be right for you if you're:
- 1
Borrowing a family member or friend’s car - Temporary car insurance can provide fully comprehensive cover from a few hours, up to 28 days.
- 2
Learning to drive in a family member’s or friend’s car - Adding a learner driver to someone else’s policy can be expensive and put the policyholder’s no claim discount at risk.
- 3
Sharing the driving but don’t want to be added as a named driver - Adding a named driver to another person’s car insurance policy for just a short period isn’t always cost-effective.
- 4
Test driving or driving away a new car - When you’re between cars, temporary car insurance ensures you’re properly covered while you arrange on-going cover.
What's covered with temporary car insurance?
Comprehensive cover
Accidental and malicious damage
Cover up to 28 days in advance
No risk to your no-claims bonus
Cover to drive in Europe with third-party or equivalent level
Driving cars other than the one on the policy
Additional drivers
Claims that happen outside the stated use of the car
Release from an impound
How much is temporary car insurance?
The cost of temporary car insurance depends on the driver, their licence and the vehicle they are looking to insure. More specifically:
- Driving history - if the driver who is looking to be insured has any previous convictions or claims this can impact the temporary car insurance quote.
- Location - quotes are also dependant on the location of the driver and where they wish to be insured and keep the vehicle.
- Car insurance group - cars 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.
Temporary car insurance cost per hour, day and week
| Hourly car insurance cost | Daily car insurance cost | Weekly car insurance cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Hour: £21.93 | 1 Day: £38.18 | 1 Week: £112.97 |
| 2 Hours: £25.69 | 2 Days: £60.89 | 1-2 Weeks: £155.27 |
| 3 Hours: £27.20 | 3 Days: £77.81 | 2-3 Weeks: £203.89 |
| 4 Hours: £30.11 | 4 Days: £86.62 | 3 weeks + : £272.52 |
| 5 Hours: £32.37 | 5 Days: £97.78 | |
| 6 Hours: £32.40 | 6 Days: £103.91 |
Figures from Tempcover, accurate as of 25/04/2023.
How many people in the UK use temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance is a big deal in the UK, with a current market of about 5.4 million UK drivers. Around 15% of consumers have bought a temporary car insurance policy within the past two years, showing the huge popularity of what often stacks up as a cheaper and more flexible option.
England has the most temporary car insurance policyholders, representing 87% of the overall temporary car insurance market in the UK. Drivers in the South are most likely to use temporary car insurance, with the region making up 14% of the UK market. It’s followed by the Outer London area, which represents 11%. The North West region (9%), which includes Liverpool and Manchester, is the next biggest hub for temporary car insurance followed by East Anglia, at just over 8%.
What is the average age of temporary car insurance users?
When it comes to the average age of temporary car insurance users, people aged 20-40 make up over 60% of temporary car insurance policyholders. Within this group, those aged 30-34 use temporary car insurance the most, representing over 18% of all temporary car insurance users. Only about 2% of temporary car insurance policyholders are in the 17-20 age group – younger drivers pay a lot more for car insurance in general so the higher cost deters use.
Many temporary car insurance deals are also only available to those aged 25 or above, but nearly 12% of users are 21-24. Those taking out temporary car insurance keeps increasing rapidly as you get nearer the 30-34 age group, rising to just under 18% for those aged 25-29. But temporary car insurance use falls steadily after the peak at 30-34. About 8% of temporary car insurance users are 45-49. Only 1.5% are in the 65-69 age bracket.
"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.”
Festival Temporary Car Insurance: get a quote in just 90 seconds
Experience ultimate peace of mind with Uswitch festival temporary car insurance cover in partnership with Tempcover.
According to our recent statistics*, almost two-thirds (63%) of festival attendees admitted they wouldn’t wait to feel sober before driving home, while two-thirds (65%) of festival-goers have been concerned over a friend's alcohol consumption ahead of driving home from a festival.
We understand the need for a practical and efficient solution. Temporary car insurance is perfect for groups going to a festival, and takes just 90 seconds to get a quote. With our seamless process, sober festival-goers can legally drive their friends' vehicles for a safer ride home.
*Uswitch temporary car insurance surveyed 2,000 festival-goers in June 2023
Need something a bit more long-term?
Compare annual car insurance policies and other types of cover with Uswitch
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.
Guides
The insurance comparison service is provided by tempcover, registered in England (9923259) and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (746985). Registered address: 2nd floor, Admiral House. Harlington Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 4BB. By using this system you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
