Temporary Car Insurance
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Why Compare Temporary Car Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote?
Temporary car insurance offers flexible, short-term cover—but not all policies are created equal. At SimplyQuote.co.uk, we’ve partnered with GoShorty to help you compare deals from trusted UK insurers in minutes.
Whether you need to borrow a car for the weekend, cover a test drive, or drive a friend’s vehicle home from the garage, short-term cover can be a cost-effective alternative to adjusting an annual policy. But the market varies—some policies only cover drivers over 25, others have strict mileage limits or exclude certain vehicles entirely.
That’s why comparing matters.
At SimplyQuote, we’ve partnered with GoShorty to bring you fast, flexible quotes for temporary car insurance. You can compare tailored options based on your exact needs—whether it’s cover for an hour, a day, or up to four weeks. Filter by cover duration, driver age, vehicle type, and more—all without speaking to multiple brokers or re-entering your details.
Temporary cover doesn’t have to be complicated. With our platform, you can secure a policy for an hour, a day, or up to a few weeks—on demand, with no long-term commitment. It’s car insurance that works on your schedule.
Why Do I Need To Get A Quote?
To get a quote for temporary car insurance, you’ll need to provide some basic details about yourself, the vehicle, and how you plan to use it.
It’s a quick process—but accuracy is key if you want an instant quote that matches your needs.
Unlike annual policies, temporary cover is more sensitive to risk factors like age, driving history, and vehicle type. Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- Your personal details: Name, age, UK address, and licence type (full UK, EU, or international).
- Your licence history: When you passed your test and whether you’ve had any claims or driving convictions in the last five years.
- Vehicle information: Make, model, registration, year of manufacture, and whether it’s insured elsewhere (important for DOC cover situations).
- Cover duration: The start and end date of the temporary policy—anywhere from 1 hour up to 28 days.
- Usage type: Whether it’s for social use, commuting, or something specific like test driving or moving house.
- Where the car will be kept: Overnight location still matters—even for short-term policies. A garage or private driveway is typically cheaper than street parking.
You won’t need to upload any documents during the quote process, and it’s fine to estimate mileage if you’re unsure. However, temporary insurance doesn’t usually offer wiggle room after purchase—so make sure everything is correct upfront.
Why Do I Need Temporary Insurance Cover?
Temporary car insurance is a legal and flexible way to drive a vehicle that isn’t already insured in your name—ideal for one-off trips, emergencies, or short-term use.
It gives you fully valid, standalone cover without affecting the car owner’s main policy.
In the UK, driving a car without insurance—even for a quick journey—is illegal. Borrowing a mate’s car? Test-driving a used vehicle? Helping someone move house? If you’re not a named driver on the existing policy and you don’t have Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover, you’re not insured. That’s where temporary car insurance comes in.
It’s also a useful tool if:
- You’ve just bought a car and need to get it home before sorting long-term cover.
- You’re visiting from abroad with a valid international licence and need UK cover.
- You’re sharing driving on a road trip and need your own insurance.
Unlike annual cover, short-term insurance is built for flexibility. It lets you insure a car for as little as an hour and up to a few weeks, without locking into a 12-month contract or risking changes to someone else’s no-claims bonus.
It’s quick to arrange, fully legal, and made for real-life driving situations that don’t fit neatly into long-term policies.
Looking for temporary car insurance? Get your quote today!
Coming SoonWhat Does Temporary Car Insurance Cover Include?
Temporary car insurance typically provides comprehensive cover by default, even though it’s short-term.
That means you’re protected against damage to your own car, third-party claims, fire, theft, and more—just like with an annual policy.
Here’s what’s usually included:
- Third-party liability – Covers damage or injury to other people, vehicles, or property.
- Fire and theft – Protection if the vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire.
- Own vehicle damage – Covers repairs or total loss if you’re in an accident, regardless of fault.
- Legal driving cover – You’re insured to drive the specified vehicle for the agreed period under UK law.
Some providers may also include:
- Windscreen repair
- Courtesy car during repairs
- Legal expenses or personal accident cover
- European cover – For trips abroad (usually optional)
Importantly, temporary insurance is separate from any existing policy the car may have. If you’re borrowing a friend’s car, your policy won’t affect their no-claims bonus—and vice versa. That separation is a big reason many people choose short-term cover instead of relying on DOC or adding temporary drivers to annual policies.
Also, most temporary policies are comprehensive by default, especially if taken out through platforms like SimplyQuote. That offers peace of mind—even if you’re only insured for a single day.
What’s Not Included?
Temporary car insurance has clear exclusions—and misunderstanding them could leave you uninsured in critical situations.
Despite offering solid short-term protection, there are limits to what these policies will cover.
Here are the most common exclusions:
- Commercial or business use – Unless specifically selected, most short-term policies don’t cover deliveries, courier work, or paid driving jobs.
- Unlisted drivers – Only the named driver is insured. Letting someone else use the car—even briefly—will invalidate the cover.
- Incorrect or incomplete details – Mistakes in your application, such as the wrong licence type or postcode, can void the policy altogether.
- Driving abroad – Some policies allow it, but many exclude foreign use unless you’ve added specific European cover.
- High-performance or modified vehicles – These are often excluded due to increased risk or specialist repair costs.
- Drivers with recent convictions or claims – Some insurers automatically exclude anyone with points or at-fault claims within the past 12 months.
- Driving a car you own (in some cases) – Certain providers only allow cover for borrowed vehicles, not ones registered in your name.
Short-term policies are strict about who can drive, when, and how. There’s usually no grace period, and most won’t auto-renew—so once it expires, you’re not insured. That’s why it’s critical to understand exactly what your temporary cover includes—and excludes—before you get behind the wheel.
How Much Does Temporary Car Insurance Cost?
Temporary car insurance typically costs between £20 and £60 per day in the UK—but your actual quote depends on multiple personal and vehicle factors.
For longer cover periods (7 to 28 days), prices may average between £100 and £250.
Unlike annual policies, which spread risk over a year, short-term cover condenses it—so even a few days of insurance can seem expensive upfront. However, for one-off needs, it’s usually far cheaper than modifying or extending an annual policy.
Key factors that influence price:
- Driver’s age – Younger drivers (especially under 25) will usually pay more due to higher perceived risk.
- Driving history – Points or recent claims can significantly increase short-term rates.
- Vehicle type – High-value, imported, or modified cars tend to attract higher premiums.
- Cover length – A single-day policy might cost £25–£30, whereas a 7-day policy might come in at £90–£130.
- Location – Urban postcodes often increase premiums due to higher accident and theft rates.
- Use type – Social driving may be cheaper than policies that include commuting or business use.
A 29-year-old driver insuring a Ford Fiesta for 3 days in a suburban postcode might pay £55–£70 for comprehensive cover. A 21-year-old with no previous claims could pay closer to £90 for the same duration and vehicle.
If you only need short-term access to a vehicle—say for moving house, driving home from uni, or covering for a friend—temporary insurance often works out as better value than amending an existing policy or paying a cancellation fee.
How Can I Save Money On Temporary Car Insurance?
You can save money on temporary car insurance by limiting the length of cover, choosing the right car, and avoiding high-risk policy options like performance vehicles or young driver profiles.
Small changes to your policy duration or car choice can make a big difference in cost.
While temporary cover is naturally more expensive on a per-day basis, there are still smart ways to bring the cost down:
- Keep the duration as short as possible – Don’t overestimate. If you only need the car for two days, don’t take a seven-day policy.
- Choose a lower-risk vehicle – Smaller, less powerful cars (like a Ford Fiesta or Toyota Yaris) are cheaper to insure short-term.
- Avoid unnecessary add-ons – Unless you’re taking a long trip or crossing borders, things like legal expenses and breakdown cover might not be needed.
- Compare prices mid-week – Oddly, prices can fluctuate. Some users report cheaper quotes when buying cover on Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Use your own vehicle where possible – Borrowing high-value or unfamiliar cars can increase the premium.
- Be mindful of age – If you’re under 25, premiums can spike. Older drivers, even by a few years, may get significantly cheaper rates.
Temporary insurance quotes can also change based on availability and demand—particularly around holiday weekends or busy periods. So if you’re planning ahead, run a few quotes in advance and lock in a better rate when you find one.
How To Compare Temporary Car Insurance At SimplyQuote.co.uk?
Comparing temporary car insurance quotes at SimplyQuote.co.uk is quick, accurate, and built for one-off drivers who need cover fast.
You won’t need to call multiple insurers or fill in endless forms—just enter your details once and get real-time prices.
Here’s how it works:
- Provide your basic details
Enter your name, age, postcode, and driving history. This helps tailor quotes to your risk profile. - Add vehicle information
Include the registration number or car make and model, plus where the vehicle will be kept and whether you’re borrowing or insuring your own. - Choose the length of cover
Select how long you need insurance for—anywhere from 1 hour to 28 days. - Customise your cover
Decide whether you want extras like breakdown cover or European use. The platform lets you filter by features that matter to you. - Compare and select
Instantly view your tailored quote from GoShorty. Review the policy details, including price, features, excess, and optional add-ons. Once you’re ready, you’ll be redirected to GoShorty’s secure site to complete your purchase—quick, simple, and hassle-free.
Because our platform is powered by GoShorty, you’ll get access to specialist temporary car insurance designed for real-life driving situations—fast, flexible, and built around how you actually drive, not just what’s cheapest.
There’s no obligation to buy, and the whole process usually takes less than five minutes from quote to cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but your options may be limited. Some insurers only offer short-term cover to drivers aged 21 or over. You’ll likely face higher premiums if you’re under 25, especially without experience.
No. If you take out your own short-term policy, it’s completely separate from the car owner’s annual insurance—so their no-claims bonus won’t be affected if you need to claim.
Yes. Most providers offer cover from as little as one hour up to 28 days. It’s ideal if you’re borrowing a car for a day trip, helping someone move, or covering a vehicle after purchase.
Only if the policy includes European cover. Some short-term insurers include this as standard; others offer it as a paid add-on. Always check before taking your car across the border.
Usually not. Most policies expire at the exact time specified when you bought them. If you need more time, you’ll likely need to buy a new policy from scratch.
In most cases, no. Because the policy is short-term and paid upfront, most insurers don’t require a credit check—though this can vary by provider.
Typically not. Most insurers don’t allow you to build a no-claims bonus through temporary cover. If that’s important to you, a longer policy might be better.
Yes. Temporary cover is often used after buying a second-hand car, especially if you’re driving it home before arranging long-term insurance.
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Written by Chris Richards
Page last reviewed on 12th of May 2025 by Chris Richards