Temporary Van Insurance
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Why Compare Temporary Van Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote?
Comparing temporary van insurance at SimplyQuote lets you find flexible, fully-comprehensive cover in minutes—tailored to how and when you actually use the van.
It’s faster, cheaper, and more relevant than buying a fixed long-term policy you don’t need.
Short-term van use often doesn’t fit the mould. You might be borrowing a friend’s van for the weekend, making a one-off delivery, or moving house. Buying a full 12-month policy just to cover a day or two isn’t just expensive—it’s unnecessary. That’s where temporary insurance comes in.
At SimplyQuote, we’ve partnered with GoShorty, a specialist in short-term van cover. This means you get access to a trusted platform offering fully-comprehensive policies for as little as one hour, up to 28 days. Quotes are based on your actual usage—not assumptions.
You’ll only be shown policies that match your requirements. Want to use the van for business? Need to be covered to drive someone else’s vehicle? You’ll see what fits—without navigating irrelevant options.
More importantly, it’s fast. Just enter your details once and see what’s available. No long-term commitments, no hidden clauses, and no pressure to take out cover that lasts longer than you need.
Why Do I Need To Get A Quote?
To get a quote for temporary van insurance, you’ll need your personal details, van information, the duration of cover, and how you plan to use the vehicle.
The process is quick, but accuracy matters—mistakes can lead to invalidated cover.
Before you start, make sure you’ve got the following to hand:
- Your personal details: Name, date of birth, address, and driving history. You must hold a valid UK driving licence (typically for at least 6 months, or 12 months if aged 21 or under).
- The van’s registration number: If you’re borrowing or renting, double-check it—errors here can block the quote.
- Cover duration: Most providers offer cover from 1 hour up to 28 days. Think about how long you actually need.
- Intended usage: Are you using the van for private transport, moving house, or business? Be honest—declaring personal use while actually doing deliveries could invalidate your insurance.
- Where it will be kept overnight: A driveway, garage, or street location may affect pricing.
Most insurers don’t require documents upfront, and you’ll typically get instant quotes. But remember: short-term van cover isn’t just flexible—it’s precise. One wrong tick-box could leave you exposed if you need to claim.
Why Do I Need Temporary Van Insurance Cover?
Temporary van insurance is a legal requirement if you want to drive a van you don’t already have insured, even for a short journey.
It provides fully-comprehensive cover without affecting the van owner’s existing policy or no-claims bonus.
Let’s say you’re borrowing a friend’s van to move house. Even if they have their own van insurance, you’re not automatically covered. Most policies only apply to the named driver—and driving uninsured, even by mistake, could result in points on your licence, a fine, or the van being seized.
Temporary insurance solves that. It gives you your own standalone policy for a set period—from an hour to a few weeks. It’s ideal for:
- Borrowing a van for a trip
- Test-driving a used van before purchase
- Driving home a new van you’ve just bought
- Helping a friend with deliveries
- Short-term business use when your main vehicle is off the road
It’s also useful if you don’t want to commit to an annual policy—say, for seasonal work or a one-off contract. And because it’s fully comprehensive as standard (with most providers), you’re covered for damage, theft, fire, and liability—even if the van isn’t yours.
Looking for temporary van insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesWhat Does Temporary Van Insurance Cover Include?
Temporary van insurance typically includes fully comprehensive cover—protecting you against damage to the van, theft, fire, and third-party liabilities.
It’s designed to give short-term peace of mind, whether the van is yours or borrowed.
Here’s what’s generally included in a standard policy:
- Third-party liability: Covers injury to others or damage to their property if you’re at fault.
- Accidental damage: Pays for repairs to the van you’re driving, even if the accident was your fault.
- Fire and theft: Protection if the van is stolen or damaged by fire, vandalism, or attempted theft.
- Legal cover (sometimes optional): May cover legal expenses following an accident.
- EU cover (in some cases): Some policies allow for limited driving within the EU, typically subject to advance notice.
The flexibility is part of what makes temporary cover so useful. You can insure for as little as 1 hour or up to 28 days, with most policies allowing you to choose the exact duration. Whether you’re test-driving, borrowing for a weekend, or covering a gap between policies, the insurance adapts to your timeline.
Optional add-ons (like breakdown cover or excess protection) may be available, but most users opt for the base comprehensive plan—which is already generous for a short-term policy.
What’s Not Included?
Temporary van insurance doesn’t cover everything—especially if you breach the terms, misuse the van, or provide inaccurate information.
Knowing what’s excluded helps avoid nasty surprises if you need to claim.
Some of the most common exclusions include:
- Use outside your declared purpose: If you say it’s for personal use but use it for deliveries or paid work, your cover may be invalid.
- Unlicensed or disqualified drivers: You must hold a valid UK driving licence, usually for 6–12 months depending on age.
- Vehicle in poor condition or unsafe to drive: If the van isn’t roadworthy, insurers won’t pay out, even if you’re not at fault.
- Carrying hazardous goods or towing: These are generally excluded unless explicitly added or covered by a business-specific policy.
- Additional drivers: Standard policies are for named drivers only—others won’t be covered unless added as permitted drivers.
- Personal belongings: Items stored inside the van, such as tools or electronics, are typically not covered unless specified.
Lastly, you won’t be covered for anything that occurs outside the insured period, even if it’s just by minutes. That’s the nature of short-term cover—it’s precise. Start and end times matter.
How Much Does Temporary Van Insurance Cost?
Temporary van insurance typically costs between £20 and £60 per day, depending on the driver’s age, experience, van type, usage, and length of cover.
Hourly rates start from around £10, with discounts for longer durations.
Cost is based on risk—and with short-term cover, insurers calculate that risk in compressed timeframes. A 25-year-old borrowing a friend’s van for a weekend of furniture moving will pay less than an 18-year-old looking for courier cover during school holidays.
Here’s a general guide to typical pricing:
| Driver Profile | Estimated Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| 30-year-old with full licence, social use only | £22–£35 |
| 21-year-old with 1 year’s experience, mixed use | £35–£50 |
| 18-year-old, newly licensed, business use | £45–£60+ |
Other pricing factors include:
- Length of cover: Daily policies cost more per hour than weekly ones. If you know you’ll need the van for a week, you’ll pay less per day by booking all at once.
- Van’s value and type: A new long wheelbase van will cost more to insure than an older short wheelbase model.
- Location: High-theft urban postcodes often attract higher premiums.
- Storage and security: Garaging the van or using a steering lock can help bring costs down.
Because you’re only paying for the time you actually need, temporary insurance often works out cheaper than adding yourself to someone else’s annual policy—especially for one-off use.
How Can I Save Money On Temporary Van Insurance?
You can reduce the cost of temporary van insurance by limiting your cover period, storing the van securely, increasing your voluntary excess, and being clear about usage.
Even small adjustments can lower your quote significantly.
Start with duration. If you only need the van for six hours, don’t insure it for a full day—hourly policies exist for a reason. Likewise, if you know you need it for three days, selecting a continuous multi-day policy will cost less than buying three separate day-long ones.
Other money-saving tactics include:
- Avoid business use unless essential: Business or courier use usually pushes the cost up. If it’s a personal job—like moving house—say so.
- Increase voluntary excess (if you’re confident): A higher excess can lower your premium, but only do this if you can afford to pay it in the event of a claim.
- Only insure when needed: Because cover is activated by the hour, plan your usage precisely. Over-insuring by just a few hours adds unnecessary cost.
- Use a van with decent security: If you have a choice, choose a van that’s kept in a locked garage or one fitted with an alarm or immobiliser.
- Be selective about add-ons: Optional extras like breakdown or legal cover may be useful, but they add cost. Only include what you really need.
If you’re a younger driver, you’ll pay more upfront—but avoiding policy mismatches (like declaring business use when it’s personal) can prevent future headaches and unnecessary loading.
How To Compare Temporary Van Insurance At SimplyQuote.co.uk?
Comparing temporary van insurance quotes at simplyquote.co.uk is quick, accurate, and designed around short-term drivers—whether you’re borrowing a van or insuring your own.
You only need to enter your details once to see live prices from trusted insurers.
We’ve partnered with GoShorty, a leading provider of short-term insurance, to bring you real quotes that reflect your actual usage—not just generic estimates.
The process takes minutes:
- Enter your details – Start with your name, postcode, licence type, and how long you’ve held it.
- Add the van’s registration – This pulls in key details like make, model, and age.
- Choose your cover period – From 1 hour to 28 days. You control the timing.
- Specify usage – Social, commuting, business—make sure this matches your real purpose.
- Review your quotes – See your options instantly. Each quote shows what’s covered, the cost, and any important conditions.
- Select and buy – Click through to finalise your policy with GoShorty. Cover can start immediately or at a set time later today.
Because short-term cover is so precise, it’s important to double-check your answers before buying. The right quote is the one that matches how—and when—you’re actually using the van.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you must select ‘business use’ during the quote process. Not all providers cover courier or delivery work, so make sure the usage type matches your intent.
No, towing is usually excluded from standard temporary van policies. If you need this, you’ll need a specialist policy or confirm add-on availability during the quote.
Not usually. Most hire companies include insurance. If you’re hiring privately or through a platform that allows external cover, check the agreement first.
A full UK driving licence is required. Some providers also accept EU licences, but most need you to have held your licence for 6–12 months, depending on age.
Yes. Most insurers cover drivers aged 21–75, though a few offer cover for drivers aged 18+. Premiums tend to be higher for under 25s.
Yes, but it depends on the offence and how recent it was. Minor points (like SP30s) are often accepted. Serious convictions may be excluded.
No. It’s a standalone policy. If a claim is made, it won’t impact the vehicle owner’s existing no-claims discount.
Yes. Once your quote is accepted and paid for, cover can start within minutes—even immediately. Just make sure the details are accurate before confirming.
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Written by Chris Richards
Page last reviewed on 18th June 2025 by Chris Richards