Temporary car insurance or short term car insurance is the type of insurance on a car for a short period of time which usually lasts between one and 30 days. It is preferred by many people due to a variety of circumstances such as visiting a country on vacation, using a ride-sharing service, borrowing a car from a friend or family member etc. Insurance companies, in general, tend to write standard car insurance policies that usually last for a term of one year but there are many companies including Veygo, Cuvva, InsureDaily, Aviva which provide temporary car insurance at cheaper rates.
What is meant by temporary car insurance?
Want a car insurance for a car you are only going to use for a short time? You may have more than a few options to insure your vehicle. Some people will consider temporary car insurance, but having the insurance you need may not require a separate insurance policy from your own car.
Temporary car insurance also known as short-term car insurance, is just what it sounds like! It is a short-term cover that allows you to drive in someone else’s vehicle for a short period of time instead of a year-long scheme or costly long term car insurance. You can get shielded for a couple of hours or even a couple of months. Car insurance plans for one day, 30 days or six months are particularly popular.
Does Your Personal Car Insurance Cover a Temporary Car?
Your car insurance policy can cover the rental cars. If it does, you may not need to purchase temporary car insurance through a rental agency. The insurance coverage would usually reflect the same coverage you have on your own vehicle.
For example, if you have a $500 deductible for comprehensive coverage, the same coverage and deductible will apply to your rental car. Whatever the deductibles and coverage caps you have on your own vehicle will be applied to the rental car. Check with the car insurance provider to ensure that you have the correct insurance policy before you rent a car. They would be in the best place to support you and provide you with sufficient coverage for your case. Rental car insurance on your personal car insurance policy may not extend to business rented or business use cars.
Who might need temporary car insurance
When you own your own car, there is no temporary car insurance for you. The Government implemented Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) in 2011, which ensures that your vehicle must be covered at all times by law. However, you can use temporary car insurance to cover a car you do not own.
People who purchase a car for a limited time and then decide to resell it. If this is your case, please call your own insurance provider because you will be able to apply this new temporary car to an existing policy instead of a separate policy. This will save you money because you will get a multi-car discounts while you are insuring your second car, and you will not even get a penalty when you uninstall the car because you are not cancelling the scheme, you are just deleting the car.
Furthermore Temporary car insurance is especially suited to:
1. Young drivers
If you are under the age of 25 and a young driver and want to borrow a friend or family member’s car while on vacation from university or going on a road trip, then short-term insurance can work for you.
2. Learner Drivers
If you are a learner drivers and going to practise driving between lessons every once in a while, short-term insurance may just be the cover you need.
3. One day insurance
If there is an accident or you only need a car for a day to move home, for example, a one-day car insurance policy would be ideal.
Other situations when temporary car insurance might be considered
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Visiting a country on short-term holiday and purchasing a temporary car for the duration of their visit.
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Using a ride-sharing service, who need insurance while they are driving, but don’t really own the vehicle.
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People in-between vehicles
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People who loan a car that they don’t own
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Using ride-sharing, or whether they don’t own a car, but drive regularly.
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Buying a car for a short time and then deciding to sell it again.
What is covered by temporary car insurance
Depending on the type of temporary car insurance policy you want to buy, you may have different coverage choices and different types of car insurance available.
Basic ones might include:
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Comprehensive Coverage
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Uninsured and underinsured motorists
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Loss of Use
Most companies offer the following coverage types in particular:
| Category | Details | |
|---|---|---|
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Flexible duration | From just 1 hour to 30 days. Breakdown or EU cover can be added if you need it. |
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Loss, theft or damage | Comprehensively covered as standard – and if you make a claim, it won’t affect your no claims discount on your main car policy |
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Accident recovery | If things can not be fixed at the roadside, you will get an approved repairer |
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Limited EU cover | Third-party cover considered as standard for European trips |
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Emergency treatment | Cover for emergency medical expenses if you or your passengers are in an incident |
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Legal liability | Cover for up to £5.5,000,000 if someone is injured or their property is damaged |
What is not covered by temporary car insurance
Temporary car insurance as the name suggests is not a complete coverage for a long period so there are things which are excluded as well.
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Tyres | Any punctures, cuts or bursts including those caused by braking are not covered. |
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Electrical breakdowns | That is the problems with wiring, electrical components or on-board computers so these are not covered. |
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Unnamed drivers | Only drivers you have told about are covered. |
Can I get extras with a short-term car insurance policy?
Many short-term car insurance plans would allow you to add the following at an extra cost:
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**European driving coverage– even though you can get third party coverage as usual, you may want to pay extra for maximum coverage.
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**Breakdown-cover if you’re taking a car on a long drive.
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Additional drivers – if you share a car with other drivers who you can add, certain insurers will let you add four additional drivers.
Should I get temporary car insurance?
In order to drive legally, you are expected to have at least the minimum coverage in your state. But in a few cases, you may only need coverage for less than six months for which temporary car insurance is the best option.
The short answer: It depends whether temporary car insurance could be an option or You might not need temporary car insurance, which is explained in more detail below.
| Temporary car insurance could be an option if | You might not need temporary car insurance if | |
|---|---|---|
| Renting a car | You are renting a car for an extended period but do not want to pay the rental company’s high car insurance fees. | You are renting a car and can get coverage through the rental company or your credit card. |
| Borrowing a friend’s car | You are borrowing a friend’s car that you intend to use on a regular basis. | You are borrowing a friend’s car for occasional use, and have coverage through your friend’s policy, or you can get a nonowners policy. |
| Selling your car | You are buying a car that you’ll resell in a short period of time. | You are selling your car in the next few months. You can get a 6-month policy and cancel anytime from most insurers. |
| Moving | You have moved outside your insurer’s coverage area and need insurance until you choose a long-term policy. | You are moving but your insurer offers nationwide coverage. You can update your address and get a new quote online from most companies. |
What you need to know before buying temporary car insurance?
People are also confused about the coverage that various car insurance plans offer because, depending on your situation, you do not need this kind of coverage. So if you want to opt for temporary car insurance keep few important things in your need.
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Before you decide to purchase a supplementary insurance policy or a car insurance policy for temporary purposes , please contact your last car insurance provider, your current home insurance company or a licenced insurance agent to explain your situation to them. They might surprise you by letting you know that you already already have coverage, or they might be able to give you a suggestion to make sure you’re concerned about it.
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Find out how you should buy a shorter-term insurance package, such as a 6-month package.
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Non-owner liability plans may be purchased for temporary insurance cases where you do not own a vehicle, but this may not be the only choice, which is why it is a good idea to talk to an insurance professional to get the best advice. Non-owner liability plans also do not cover physical harm to the vehicle, so be sure to review the list below to see what coverage you need and want when you’re looking for temporary car insurance.
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You can also talk to the owner of the vehicle that you would be using, if it is not you, and make them ask their own insurance provider if the use of their vehicle is protected. You do not have to buy any coverage if you are protected by their scheme.
Cost of temporary car insurance
Depending on where you receive temporary insurance, the premium can vary greatly.
For example, if you obtain temporary car insurance when you rent a car from a rental agency, it is likely to cost a lot more than if you find temporary car insurance from an insurance provider. It is indeed worth shopping around and seeing what coverage you can get from your own insurance provider before you make a decision.
The price of temporary car insurance will depend on:
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What type of car you have insured for
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Your postcode
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How you will use it
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Your personal insurance background or history
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The period of time you need short-term or temporary insurance.
As a general guideline, you may be able to get temporary car insurance for around £6 per hour, or from £25 per day.
Best options for temporary car insurance
Temporary car insurance is the insurance for a short period of time instead of a year-long scheme. You can get shielded for a couple of hours or even a couple of months. The easiest options include car insurance for a day, a week, a month or however long you need it.
1. Temporary car insurance for one month
The best and cheapest choice is to select an insurer that provides monthly payment and no cancellation fees, and then cancel until you pay for the second month.
You can get the remainder refunded if you only need protection for a little less than a month or if you have to pay for an additional month in advance.
2. Temporary car insurance for one week
Having car insurance for a short holiday or a weekend holiday is probably better if you get a rental car and buy insurance through the rental company.
Otherwise, if it is just a car you are borrowing from a friend or family member, just make sure that their policies protect other approved drivers.
3. Temporary car insurance for one day
A handful of specialty insurers, such as Dayinsure, will provide on-demand car insurance for as short as a few hours to a few days, or longer if needed.
If you are just taking your vintage car out for a spin to keep the engine going, talk to vintage or collector car insurers like Hagertys or Chubb.
Top temporary car insurance companies
Temporary car insurance allows you to cover a car for a limited period of time, such as a rented car, a borrowed car or a car that you drive only occasionally.
It is possible, although difficult, to receive temporary or short-term auto insurance, as most insurers offer a policy of at least six months. But below are some of the cheapest and most affordable short-term insurance companies which provide temporary car insurance at best rates.
1. Veygo
Veygo is a member of the Admiral Party. It allows you to buy temporary car insurance for any amount of time, even though its plans under 30 days are the most affordable.
2. Cuvva
Cuvva insurer helps you to line up your own temporary automobile insurance through a mobile app that’s available on iOS and Android devices. Its reduced overheads make it possible to provide inexpensive temporary auto insurance in most situations. You’ll also get a £ 10 discount on your premiums if you are referring this insurance to a friend as well.
3. InsureDaily: Best overall
With InsureDaily, you can opt to cover from 1 day to 28 days. Your no-claim discount on annual plans would not be compromised if you make a claim. There is a European cover available.
4. Tempcover: Best broker
Tempcover is one of the largest short-term insurance brokers in the UK. It partners with a panel of seven separate short-term insurers, enabling it to reliably find a great deal for you.
5. Insure4aday
With Insure4aday you can cover cars and vans with this insurer for between 1 and 28 days. Your cover will begin as soon as you complete your application. It has a product specifically tailored for learner drivers.
6. DayInsure
DayInsure is the firm which will cover a wide variety of vehicles – from family cars to vintage cars , buses and motorhomes – for between 1 hour and 30 days. Making claims would not impact non-claim bonuses built up on annual auto insurance plans.
7. Rental cover
RentalCover insurer is a valuable alternative to the purchase of extortionate over-reduction products sold by car rental companies. Instead, you can obtain a provisional auto insurance policy from Rental Cover, pay the entire amount to the car rental company (in the event of an accident) and demand this amount back from Rental Cover.
8. LV= Flow
LV=Flow is Liverpool Victoria’s pay-per-month auto insurance, which can be handled exclusively through its mobile app. Your policy will continue to run until you cancel, but your premium will fluctuate every month. You will get a seven-day notice of your new monthly payment sum before you are charged. When you get started, LV = Flow quotes a maximum price that will not be surpassed in the next three monthly payments. You will again receive a new maximum price every three months.
| Company | Available coverage | Duration | Details | Ranking | Customers who’d recommend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veygo | temporary car insurance | 1-28 days | Best temporary car insurance provider for learner drivers. Immediate cover. Pay-as-you-go car insurance. Flexible duration cover |
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89% |
| Tempcover | Temporary car and van insurance | 1 hour - 28 days | Tempcover provides versatile coverage from 1 hour to 28 days across a wide variety of vehicles including cars, motorbikes and vans. |
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91% |
| Insure Daily | Temporary car insurance | 1-28 days | Insure Daily offer instant, comprehensive cover for anything between 1 and 28 days. |
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82% |
| ingenie car insurance | Learner driver insurance & young driver insurance | 1 - 12 months | Ingenie provides young driver and learner driver insurance. Customers are able to build up their discount claims as they start learning to drive. |
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78% |
| Cuvva | Temporary car insurance | 1 hour - 28 days | Fully comprehensive, extendable cover from 1 hour to 28 days |
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80% |
| insurelearnerdriver car insurance | Temporary learner driver’s car insurance | 1-140 days | Temporary trainer driver insurance from 1 day to 140 days. Easy pricing structure for provisional licence holders aged 17 – 30. |
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72% |
How to get a quote?
Best cars to insure temporarily
The best vehicles to be temporarily insured are those that are known to be the safest and easiest to repair. These are the lowest risk to be covered by insurance companies.
Every car on the road has been classified into 1 out of 50 categories , based on their exposure to insurance companies. Insurance group 1 has the lowest-risk cars that are easiest to cover, while insurance group 50 has the highest-risk vehicles.
There are a number of popular insurance group 1 cars that are likely to come with a cheaper car insurance policy. Using the table below, you’ll look out for the make and model of your car, and compute what proportion you’re likely to buy your automobile insurance based on your age.
| Make | Model | Group | 20yrs | 30yrs | 40yrs | 50yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | 1.0i 5d | 1 | £959 | £556 | £486 | £392 |
| Citroen C1 | 1.0i Vibe 3d | 1 | £957 | £557 | £485 | £393 |
| Fiat Panda | 1.1 Active 5d | 1 | £958 | £556 | £487 | £393 |
| Fiat Panda | 1.2 Dynamic 5d Auto (Skydome) | 1 | £959 | £556 | £487 | £393 |
| Ford Ka Plus | Studio 1.2 Ti-VCT 70PS 5d | 1 | £959 | £556 | £487 | £393 |
| Hyundai i10 | 1.0 Blue Drive S Air 5d | 1 | £959 | £556 | £487 | £393 |
| Nissan Micra | Visia 1.0 71PS 5d | 1 | £959 | £556 | £487 | £393 |
What other factors impact your car insurance premium?
These three variables, combined with your car insurance group, have the largest effect on the cost of your car insurance:
1. Type and capability of the engine
The bigger the engine, the more insurance you’re likely to pay. With a smaller engine, you are likely to be seen as less danger to the insurer, and this is generally expressed in a lower premium.
2. Place of driver:
Insurers factor in the probability that your vehicle will be stolen or involved in an accident as you determine your insurance, and your position has a significant effect on that. For eg, a 30-year-old in central London will pay £ 640 for Citroen C1 1.0i Vibe 3d insurance, while the same 30-year-old in Newcastle will pay just £56.
3. Driver’s age
Like the venue, the driver’s age plays a major role in deciding the cost of your insurance premium. The average 20-year-old driver in London will pay £ 1,110 for the Nissan Acenta IG 71 5d, while the average 40-year-old Londoner will pay just £585.
Is temporary car insurance worth it?
The most cost-effective car insurance for you will depend on how much you drive. If you are only going to drive every now and then, temporary car insurance may be the most cost-effective alternative because you are only going to have to pay for what you are using.
Make sure you compare insurance quotes to find the most affordable insurance plans for you. Aviva Temp insurance, RAC Temp insurance and Admiral Temp insurance are some of the best temporary insurance provides who sell special insurance plans.
However, if you drive more often, a longer-term insurance option might be of better value. Consider taking out a specialised young driver insurance policy if you are under the age of 25, or a new driver insurance policy if you have recently passed your exam.
Likewise, if you have your own vehicle, you will need it to be insured continuously, so your best bet is to get a quote on an annual policy. You might also pay out your premiums by paying for your insurance annually.
Alternatives to temporary car insurance
You can easily find companies that provide temporary automobile insurance, but usually at a price. Instead of opting for a lesser-known insurance company specialising in temporary car insurance, consider a more flexible car insurance alternative.
Find a pay-as-you-drive car insurance policy
This form of policy helps you to reap all the benefits of comprehensive auto insurance at the same time. One downside is that you will generally pay a small minimum price, which will limit your savings if you only use the car in the short term.
Pay premiums monthly
Choose a policy that allows you to pay your premiums monthly and cancel it when you no longer need coverage. To avoid a cancellation fee, take out a policy with one of these.
Add a driver to your current policy
If you’re borrowing a relative’s or a friend’s car for a temporary period of time, ask them if they’d consider adding you to their policy as a named driver. Please notice that this will greatly increase the cost of coverage.
Rent your car
Although this is an expensive choice, you might rent a car and buy insurance through the rental company.
What are the downfalls of temporary car insurance?
Although there may be reasons to pursue short-term auto insurance, there are also pitfalls to consider:
Coverage is difficult to locate
Companies are suspicious of provisional policies due to high-risk applicants or the lack of ability to renew them. Many of the larger carriers offer only 6-month plus plans.
Temporary coverage can lapse
For a short-term policy, there is a chance that the policy could expire when you’re still driving a vehicle. And if you’re caught driving without insurance, you might face fines.
Future rates could be up.
In the future, you might be charged more for benefits if you show a lapse in coverage from on-and-off coverage.
Frequently asked questions
1. How long temporary car insurance lasts?
Temporary automobile insurance policies usually offer short-term cover from 1 to twenty-eight days, but some policies will insure you for up to 90 days. You can get shielded for a couple of hours or even a couple of months. Car insurance plans for one day, 30 days or six months are particularly popular.
2. Who can get a temporary car insurance?
Each insurer will have its own rules. However, you will usually have to hold a full driving licence for at least six months or a year.
This means that learner drivers would not be eligible to afford provisional auto insurance. Instead, they should apply for student driver insurance. This is also provided by a lot of temporary car insurance providers.
3. Do I need temporary car insurance if I have a home in two separate countries?
Typically, no. In any state, your car insurance protects you. However, various laws and regulations exist as to where you need to register and insure your vehicle in the first place.
For example, Florida’s car insurance legislation allows part-time visitors, anybody staying 90 days or longer to register and insure their vehicle in the state. For other locations, such as Arizona, you are expected to register to ensure that your car remains there for seven months or longer.
Check with both the DMV state and your car insurer to learn what sort of policy you’re going to need. Make sure that the current policy meets both the minimum standards and that you obey the state registration rules.
4. Do I need to be an experienced driver to take out temporary car insurance?
You are likely to see more quotes if you have some years of driving experience and a full UK licence, but there are specialist insurers out there that provide temporary car insurance to those with less experience or various types of licence, and other insurers that cover learner drivers.
5. Do I need short-term insurance if I borrow someone’s car for a couple of days?
No, in most situations. The new car policy typically refers to a driver who drives a car occasionally. But consult with the provider to find out about its particular guidelines.
6. Is it possible to get auto insurance for one month?
Although there are no special plans that expressly protect you for one month, you will find sufficient coverage for this period of time. Check out the above choices to see which one is right for you.
Conclusion
Temporary car insurance allows you to cover an auto for a limited period of time, such as a rented car, a borrowed car or a car that you drive only occasionally. It is possible, although difficult, to receive temporary or short-term car insurance, as most insurers offer a policy of at least six months. Short-term car insurance temporarily protects you from damage and injury if you’re in an accident in your own car, rental, or if you’ve borrowed it.
Unlike a regular auto insurance policy, which protects you from six to 12 months at a time, short-term or temporary car insurance is usually valid for up to 30 days. You decide the exact coverage you want and the particular days you’re going to need. In general, short-term auto insurance costs more than a normal policy. Prices are dependent on the make and model of the car, where you plan to drive and other factors.
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