Drive-Away Insurance
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Why Compare Drive Away Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote?
Drive away insurance gives you immediate cover when you buy a car, and comparing quotes at SimplyQuote makes it simple to find a suitable policy in minutes.
When you’ve just purchased a vehicle, the last thing you want is to be held up by paperwork or left uninsured on the road. Drive away insurance is designed for these moments. It provides short-term protection, usually from one hour to a few days, so you can get the car home legally and safely. By comparing with SimplyQuote, you avoid the limitations of going to a single provider and can review a range of options before choosing.
We work in partnership with GoShorty, one of the UK’s leading short-term insurance specialists, to provide drive away cover through our platform. This ensures the policies you see are from a trusted, FCA-regulated provider, giving you confidence in both the process and the protection offered.
The comparison process is straightforward. Enter your details once, and you’ll be able to see multiple policy options for different durations and vehicles. Most customers complete the process in under three minutes, with policy documents available instantly online.
Take a simple example: if you’ve just bought a used car from a dealership in Manchester, a short-term policy could provide same-day cover to drive it home while you arrange longer-term insurance. By using SimplyQuote, you get speed, flexibility, and clear choice when you need it most.
Why Do I Need To Get A Quote?
To get a quote for drive away insurance you’ll need to provide some personal details, your driving licence information, and the registration of the vehicle you want to insure.
The process is quick, but insurers still need accurate information before temporary cover can be offered. Whether you call it drive away insurance or short-term car insurance, the requirements are the same. Having everything ready helps avoid delays and ensures the policy starts immediately.
You’ll usually be asked for:
- Driver details: full name, date of birth, home address, and contact information.
- Licence information: UK driving licence number, length of time you’ve held your licence, and any penalty points or endorsements.
- Vehicle details: registration number, make and model, age of the car, and where it will normally be kept.
- Purchase details: proof of ownership or V5C logbook, especially if you’ve just bought the car from a dealer or private seller.
Eligibility varies, but short-term insurance is typically available to UK residents aged 18 to 75. Some restrictions apply for drivers with recent claims, certain convictions, or highly modified vehicles.
With these details to hand, you can complete the form in minutes. Thanks to SimplyQuote’s partnership with GoShorty, quotes are compared instantly and, in most cases, cover begins within 15 minutes of purchase—whether you need temporary drive away cover for a day or just a few hours.
Why Do I Need Drive Away Insurance Cover?
You need drive away insurance because it’s a legal requirement to have valid cover in place before driving a newly purchased car on UK roads.
When you buy a vehicle, there is often a gap between collecting it and arranging annual cover. Without insurance, you cannot legally drive it home, even if the journey is just a few miles. Drive away insurance fills this gap by giving you short-term protection, usually from one hour to a few days, so you can get behind the wheel immediately and without risk of breaking the law.
It’s particularly useful in situations such as:
- Buying from a dealer: not all dealers provide drive away cover, and if they do, the terms may be limited.
- Private sales: most private sellers will not offer any insurance at all, leaving you responsible for arranging your own.
- Car auctions: vehicles must usually be removed on the same day, and short-term insurance is the only practical option.
This type of cover also protects you financially if an accident occurs on the journey home. A comprehensive policy usually includes third-party liability, damage to your own vehicle, and protection against fire or theft. That way, you are not left exposed while you decide on a longer-term policy that suits your circumstances.
Looking for drive-away car insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesWhat Does Drive Away Insurance Cover Include?
Drive away insurance usually provides comprehensive short-term cover, protecting you against third-party liability, accidental damage, fire, and theft while you drive your newly purchased car.
Because this type of insurance is designed to get you on the road straight away, the inclusions are broad enough to give peace of mind without committing to a full annual policy. Most providers structure their temporary or short-term policies around the same core protections.
Typical features of drive away insurance
| Included as standard | Sometimes available as optional |
|---|---|
| Third-party liability for damage or injury | Legal expenses cover |
| Accidental damage to your own car | EU driving for a limited period |
| Fire and theft protection | Roadside breakdown assistance |
| Comprehensive cover for most vehicles | Courtesy car cover |
| Instant cover, often starting within minutes | Enhanced personal belongings cover |
Take a simple example: if you collect a second-hand car from a private seller on a Saturday afternoon, a drive away policy starting immediately will not only keep you legal but also cover you if you’re hit on the way home or if the car is stolen overnight.
Optional extras, where available, can provide extra reassurance but are not essential for basic legal protection.
This makes drive away insurance a practical safety net. It ensures you are covered at the point of purchase, whether that’s from a dealer, a private seller, or an auction house, until you’re ready to set up an annual policy.
What’s Not Included?
Drive away insurance is designed for short-term use, so it doesn’t include everything you’d find in a long-term or specialist policy. Exclusions vary by insurer, but there are common situations where cover will not apply.
The purpose of drive away insurance is to provide quick, flexible protection so you can legally get a car home or use it for a short period. Because of this, certain risks and uses are excluded. Always read the policy wording carefully to understand the specific terms before you drive.
Typical exclusions include:
- Commercial use: policies usually exclude carrying passengers or goods for hire and reward, such as taxi or courier work.
- High-risk vehicles: very high-value cars, heavily modified vehicles, or rare imports may not be eligible.
- Mechanical breakdowns: insurance will not cover faults or failures with the car’s engine, gearbox, or other mechanical parts.
- Age restrictions: drivers outside the usual eligibility range, often 18–75, may not be able to take out cover.
- Non-UK residency: most providers only offer cover to drivers who are permanent UK residents.
- Driving outside permitted uses: activities such as track days or off-road driving will not be included.
It’s also worth noting that temporary insurance does not automatically renew. Once the policy ends, you’ll need to arrange annual cover or purchase another short-term policy if you still need to drive the vehicle.
How Much Does Drive Away Insurance Cost?
The cost of drive away insurance varies depending on the driver, the car, and how long you need cover for. Policies typically start from around £20 for a single day, but the final price depends on individual circumstances.
Because drive away insurance is short-term cover, pricing is calculated differently from annual car insurance. Insurers look at several factors to assess risk before generating a quote. Younger drivers and those with recent claims often pay more, while experienced drivers with a clean record are usually quoted lower amounts.
Typical factors that influence cost include:
- Driver age and experience: younger drivers usually face higher premiums.
- Driving history: penalty points, endorsements, or recent claims increase risk.
- Vehicle type: high-performance or luxury cars are more expensive to insure.
- Postcode: where the car is kept can affect pricing due to local risk levels.
- Length of cover: shorter policies are cheaper overall, but the daily rate may be higher than for longer terms.
| Driver Profile | Car | Length of Cover | Indicative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-year-old with 3 years’ experience | Ford Fiesta, 2015 | 1 day | ~£25 |
| 45-year-old with clean record | Vauxhall Astra, 2018 | 1 day | ~£18 |
| 30-year-old with 3 points | BMW 3 Series, 2019 | 3 days | ~£70 |
This shows how costs differ depending on the driver and vehicle. Drive away cover is priced to reflect immediate risk rather than long-term ownership, which is why the daily rate can seem higher than an annual policy spread over twelve months.
How Can I Save Money On Drive Away Insurance?
You can often reduce the cost of drive away insurance by comparing multiple providers, selecting only the duration you actually need, and ensuring all details are accurate when applying.
Because drive away cover is short-term, small changes can make a noticeable difference to the price. While you can’t control every factor—such as your age or driving history—you can take steps that may lead to lower quotes.
Ways to help reduce costs include:
- Compare providers: using SimplyQuote gives you access to policies from GoShorty and other partners, so you can see a range of options in one place.
- Choose the right length of cover: if you only need to drive the car home, a one-day policy is usually more cost-effective than taking a week’s cover.
- Avoid unnecessary extras: only add features like legal expenses or breakdown assistance if you genuinely need them.
- Keep details accurate: mistakes on the form can lead to higher quotes or invalid policies.
- Select a standard vehicle: high-performance or heavily modified cars are always more expensive to insure, even for a short period.
For example, a 45-year-old buyer collecting a used hatchback in Leeds for the weekend might only need one day of cover to drive the car home. Choosing a simple one-day policy could cost less than half the price of taking out a seven-day policy unnecessarily.
Drive away insurance is already a temporary solution, but being selective about cover length and options helps ensure you’re only paying for what you need.
How To Compare Drive-Away Insurance At SimplyQuote.co.uk?
Comparing quotes with SimplyQuote is straightforward: enter your details once, review the available policies, and choose the one that suits your situation.
The process is designed to be quick and simple, so you can arrange cover in minutes and get on the road without delay. Because we partner with GoShorty, one of the UK’s leading short-term insurance providers, the policies you see come from a trusted FCA-regulated source.
Step-by-step guide
- Enter your details: provide your personal information, licence number, and vehicle registration.
- Choose how long you need cover: policies are flexible, starting from just one hour and going up to 28 days.
- View your options: SimplyQuote compares policies supplied by GoShorty so you can see what’s available instantly.
- Select and buy online: once you’ve chosen a policy, you can pay securely and receive documents straight away.
- Start driving: in most cases, cover begins within 15 minutes of purchase.
By comparing quotes through SimplyQuote, you avoid the limitations of going direct to a single insurer. You can quickly review different cover lengths and costs before making an informed choice, so your newly purchased car is ready to drive home legally and safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Drive away insurance is a type of temporary insurance designed specifically for newly purchased cars. It gives you short-term cover so you can drive legally before arranging annual insurance.
Most policies start almost immediately. Once your details are submitted and payment is complete, cover can usually begin within 15 minutes.
Eligibility varies, but most insurers accept UK residents aged 18 to 75 with a valid driving licence. Restrictions may apply for certain convictions or recent claims.
Not always. High-value, modified, or imported cars are often excluded. Standard cars are generally eligible, but always check your policy details.
Policies can be as short as one hour or extend up to 28 days. The exact duration depends on what you select when applying.
No. Temporary policies usually operate separately from annual insurance, so claims made under them should not affect your existing no-claims discount.
Yes, drive away cover is often used for auction purchases, where vehicles must be removed on the same day.
Some insurers offer limited EU cover, but this isn’t always included. Check the policy wording to confirm.
Breakdown cover is not standard. Some insurers may offer it as an optional extra when you buy your policy.
Yes, you can usually buy another short-term policy or switch to annual cover. Drive away policies don’t renew automatically, so you’ll need to arrange new cover before the old one expires.
