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Short-Term Car Cover
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Temporary car cover for a specific driver, vehicle and period. Explore your options with DayCover before borrowing a car, collecting a purchase or planning a short trip.
Get your quote online.
Temporary car insurance covers the driver and car named on the policy for a stated period. DayCover’s car pages describe options from one hour to 28 days.
It can be useful when your existing insurance does not cover the car you need to drive, but availability depends on the driver, vehicle and intended use.
You might be borrowing a relative’s car, sharing a journey or arranging cover for a vehicle purchase. Do not assume you can fill a gap in annual cover: the current quote form requires a main policy, so check that condition with DayCover first.
Who will drive?
When is cover needed?
Allow for the whole journey and confirm the quoted start and end times.
What use is included?
Check personal use, commuting and any business journeys against the policy wording.
The price shown in your quote is for the driver, vehicle and period you select. Compare the options available for the time you need, including any excess and optional extras.
Temporary insurance may suit occasional use; an annual policy may be better value if you drive the vehicle regularly.
DayCover brings temporary vehicle insurance into an online quote journey, so you can check the options for a specific driver, vehicle and period of use.
Borrowing a vehicle, collecting a purchase and practising between driving lessons involve different insurance needs. Start with the relevant DayCover product page, then check the eligibility and cover offered for your circumstances.
Enter the information requested in the quote form and choose your dates. Read the policy documents, check the total price and ask DayCover if anything is unclear before buying. Keep your confirmation available for the period of cover.
Choose enough time for the whole journey, including the return trip. Check the quoted start and end times rather than relying on a label such as ‘daily’ or ‘monthly’. If your plans change, make sure valid cover is in place before continuing to drive.
Enter the car’s registration to begin an eligibility check. The examples below describe vehicle types; they do not guarantee that a particular model or driver will be accepted.
The UK’s most popular family car shape: nimble, fuel-efficient and easy to park. Perfect for everyday driving and short-term cover.
Examples: Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, MINI Cooper
Classic three-box silhouette with a separate boot. A great choice for longer drives, business use or when you need extra cargo space.
Examples: BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Volkswagen Passat, Vauxhall Insignia, Skoda Superb
Saloon footprint with the extended rear of an SUV, with huge boot space and none of the extra height. Brilliant for family trips, dog walks and weekend escapes.
Examples: Volvo V60, BMW 3 Series Touring, Skoda Octavia Estate, Audi A4 Avant, Volkswagen Passat Estate
Tall, roomy and practical, with raised seating for great visibility. Plenty of space for family, kit and longer journeys.
Examples: Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC90
A hatchback’s footprint with the higher driving position of an SUV. Compact enough for the city, comfortable enough for the motorway.
Examples: Ford Puma, Renault Captur, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, VW T-Roc, SEAT Arona
Sometimes called a people carrier. Flexible seating and big interior space make this the go-to for bigger families and long trips.
Examples: Citroën Berlingo, Ford Galaxy, Volkswagen Touran, SEAT Alhambra, Renault Scenic, Peugeot Rifter
Drop the roof and enjoy the rare British sunshine. Stylish, sociable and made for top-down weekends.
Examples: Mazda MX-5, BMW Z4, Audi A5 Cabriolet, MINI Convertible, Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet, Fiat 500C
Two doors, sloping roofline and a sportier stance. A more driver-focused take on the saloon or hatchback.
Examples: Audi TT, BMW 2 Series Coupe, Mercedes CLA Coupe, Toyota GR86, Ford Mustang, Porsche Cayman
Built for performance, handling and the joy of driving. Quick acceleration, tight cornering and standout looks.
Examples: Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type, Nissan GT-R, Aston Martin Vantage, Lotus Emira, BMW M4
Rugged, capable and built for rough terrain, with proper four-wheel drive and high ground clearance. Equally at home on a country lane.
Examples: Land Rover Defender, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Land Cruiser, Suzuki Jimny, Mercedes G-Class, Mitsubishi Shogun
Tiny, nippy and a dream to park. Designed for urban traffic, narrow streets and standout fuel economy.
Examples: Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo X, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Volkswagen Up!, Citroën C1
Fully electric cars across nearly every body shape, from city runabouts to family SUVs. Zero tailpipe emissions and instant torque.
Examples: Tesla Model 3, Kia EV6, MG4, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BMW i4, Polestar 2
Whatever you drive, just pop your registration plate into our site and we’ll get your temporary insurance quote in seconds — and have you covered in minutes.
Driving an automatic for the first time? Our guide on how to drive an automatic car covers everything you need to know before getting behind the wheel.
Review the cover level, excess, permitted use and exclusions before buying.
Your quote and policy documents set out what is included for the named driver and vehicle.
Comprehensive cover can include accidental damage to the insured vehicle as well as third-party liability, fire and theft, but it does not cover every loss or situation.
Have the vehicle registration and the driver’s details ready. Choose when you need cover, then review the price, eligibility and policy terms before buying.
Enter the registration and the driver’s details.
Choose the start time and period of cover.
Review your quote and terms, then pay. Check your policy confirmation before driving.
Many drivers assume comprehensive insurance lets them drive any car, but this is often not the case. Whether you need temporary car insurance depends on your existing cover and how long you need to use the vehicle.
When buying insurance online, always check you’re using a legitimate provider. Read our guide on ghost broking and how to spot fake insurance websites to protect yourself.
If you already have car insurance
Some comprehensive policies include Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover, but it is not guaranteed and is becoming less common. Where DOC does apply, cover is usually Third Party Only, meaning damage to the car you’re driving is not covered. Drivers under 25 are often excluded entirely, so it’s important to check your policy carefully.
If you don’t have car insurance
You may be added as a named driver to someone else’s policy, but any claim you make could affect the main driver’s No Claims Discount and increase their premium at renewal.
Why temporary cover can be useful
You may be added as a named driver to someone else’s policy, but any claim you make could affect the main driver’s No Claims Discount and increase their premium at renewal.
Once you buy a car privately, drive away insurance covers the journey home before a full annual policy is in place.
Pick the exact window you need, whether it's a quick airport drop, a weekend away or a 4-week project.
Temporary cover is a separate policy for the named driver and vehicle. A claim under that policy is handled separately from the owner's annual insurance, subject to the policy terms. This does not mean an incident can never affect future premiums: drivers and owners must still answer insurers' questions accurately and meet any reporting requirements.
Comprehensive protection. No third-party-only compromises.
Have the vehicle registration and the driver's details ready. Choose when you need cover, then review the price, eligibility and policy terms before buying.
Can you use temporary insurance cover for commuting?
Temporary insurance can be used to commute.
The definition of commuting for insurance purposes, means travelling to or from a single or permanent place of work, for either all or part of the journey i.e. driving to a train station as part of the commute.
If you have a job where you must travel to more than one single place of work, then you will need what is referred to as ‘Business Use’.
Can you use temporary insurance for Business Use?
Select the correct use in your quote and check the policy terms. DayCover has dedicated business car insurance information, but availability must be confirmed for your journey. Paid delivery, courier and taxi work must not be assumed to be included.
The definition of Business Use is driving / commuting to multiple locations, such as visiting clients or prospects. It’s again different to ‘Commercial Use’.
Can you use temporary insurance on a car for Commercial Use?
You cannot use temporary insurance for Commercial Use on a car.
Commercial Use means using your car for transporting goods or people for what is referred to as ‘Hire or Reward’ which basically means when you’re being paid for it, i.e. as a job / source of income.
Can I use temporary insurance cover in Europe?
Yes, you can use temporary insurance when driving your car in Europe, but you must start and end the journey in the vehicle in the UK.
Our temporary insurance is comprehensive but when you drive in Europe it will revert to the minimum level of cover required in that country.
Check what the minimum level of cover is in the country you’re travelling to / driving in, and whatever that is, is what the policy will provide.
As a general rule of thumb, the minimum level of cover required in most European countries is Third Party Only.
You must also double check the country you are travelling to is covered in your policy booklet.
You can view our IPID on our quote page before you purchase a policy which shows the country exclusions and inclusions.
You can view our Policy Wording on our declaration page before purchasing a policy, where you can read the full terms and conditions of the policy.
For a specific 24-hour window – borrowing a car or collecting a private purchase – one day car insurance is the most precise option.
Bank holidays and long weekends are a natural fit for three day car insurance – three consecutive days of comprehensive cover in your own name.
Short term car insurance is completely flexible, not only does it allow you to drive the car of a family member or friend, it allows you to choose the exact amount of time you need to use the car for.
You can insure a car for as little as one hour to 28 days.
Yes. Temporary car insurance is added to the Motor Insurance Database (MID), which is the UK’s official record of insured vehicles. Because temporary policies are short-term, there can occasionally be a short delay before the MID updates. As long as you have your insurance certificate or confirmation email, you are legally insured and safe to drive
Yes, you absolutely can insure yourself on someone else’s car with temporary insurance, that is one of the main reasons people get it. Just make sure you have the owner’s permission.
No you can’t take out temporary insurance on a hire vehicle. Short term insurance allows you to borrow a car and insure it, rather than insure a hire car.
You cannot legally drive a car home without insurance.
If you have an accident you won’t be insured and the excuse that it’s a new car and you haven’t had chance to insure it yet, wouldn’t cut the mustard.
You can use temporary car insurance or drive away insurance as it can also be referred to, to get a new car insured.
This way you can give yourself more time to find a competitive and suitable annual car insurance policy.
Yes you can use temporary insurance to tax a car – this is one of the beauties of short term cover. Remember that a car needs an MOT in order to tax it.
You can take out a temporary car insurance policy to get your car insured on the MID (Motor Insurance Database) then tax your car (as it has to be insured to tax).
You can MOT a car without tax. but the journey must be purely to and from the MOT test centre.
Brand new drivers ie you passed your test two days ago, unfortunately cannot get temporary insurance. But new-ish drivers can.
You need to have held your full UK driving licence for at least six months. So, if you’ve just passed your test, congratulations, but you’ll need to wait for six months before you can get a temporary insurance policy.
Temporary car insurance is perfect for short term needs, but if you require cover for a longer duration, an annual policy may be more cost effective.
It doesn’t cover you for driving a rental or hired car; you’ll need a specific hire car insurance policy for that.
Short term cover also is not suitable if you’re planning on using it to be a cabbie – you’ll need proper taxi insurance to do that. It’s also not to be used for deliveries or courier work.
Temporary car insurance is also not suitable for releasing a vehicle from a Police or Local Authority impound, learning to drive, driving outside of the EU/EEA and for importing / exporting cars; the vehicle must be in the UK at the start and end of the policy.
With annual insurance you pay for the full 365 days of cover on your car insurance, whereas with temporary insurance you only pay for the time you need. That is why it’s worth checking to see if a short term policy is cheaper for you.
There are also a few ways that you can try and get the cheapest temporary car insurance.
– Don’t purchase add-ons you don’t need; for example, you may have breakdown cover with your bank account
– Have a choice of cars to borrow? It might be worth getting quotes to see which car produces the cheapest quote for you
– Build your experience; the longer you’ve held your licence claim-free, the better
Temporary insurance UK is important as it can help drivers get emergency insurance to make sure they are legally covered whilst on the road in the UK.
If you drive a car that you are not insured on there could be big consequences if you are pulled over by the police.
The consequences could be even worse if you have an accident and are not covered by any insurance.
You could be left with severe consequences, such as large bills if you are found liable for any damage or injuries caused by you if you’re at fault.
If you crash a car in the UK without insurance, you’re breaking the law and could face serious consequences.
Driving without at least third-party insurance is illegal, and even if the vehicle is insured, you must also be personally insured to drive it.
If caught, you could receive a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points on your licence.
In more serious cases, you could face an unlimited fine, a driving ban, and the police may seize or even destroy the uninsured vehicle.
Your policy documents identify the insurer, insured driver and vehicle, dates, cover level and conditions. Read the certificate, schedule and wording, together with the documents supplied during purchase. Contact DayCover if something is missing or incorrect.
There is no hard and fast rule for the cheapest cars to insure on a short term basis. As a rule of thumb within the UK insurance industry, smaller, cheaper and low powered cars usually command the lower premiums.
Therefore, used cars and cars with smaller engines are worth getting quotes for it you’re looking for the cheapest temporary car insurance as a UK driver.
Cars that fall into this category could be the Hyundai i10, VW UP, Skoda Fabia, Kia Picanto, SEAT Ibiza, Ford Fiesta, Fiat Panda or the Toyota Aygo X to provide just a few examples.
Due to the fact that you can only insure a car for between one hour to 28 days on temporary car insurance, you do not earn No Claims Discount (or what some may call No Claims Bonus) with short term cover. No Claims Discount is earned after you have had a full year’s worth of claim free driving on an annual policy, so this is why you don’t earn it with temporary insurance in UK.
There is no standard approach for using security to get lower car insurance premiums and this is still the case with short term car insurance in the UK.
The best way to stop your car being stolen is to use multiple layers of security, as no single method of stopping your car being stolen is guaranteed or a ‘silver bullet’ solution.
You can use a car alarm, an immobiliser to stop the car being started, a tracker which can help you to find your car in the event of it being stolen, steering wheel locks or physical security such a bollard on your drive or keeping your car locked out of sight in a garage.
All security solutions can be got around if the thieves really want your car, but the more layers of security you have then better chance you have of stopping them or putting them off!
There’s no doubt that keeping your car locked out of sight in a garage overnight is the best method of keeping it out of the hands of car thieves. Not only does it keep it from being spotted by opportunists but also put a barrier between them and your car that they’ll need to get past without making a noise!
If you can’t store your car in garage, then your drive is your next best bet; there isn’t usually a physical barrier, but it’ll be close to your home and will allow you to be nearby to hear any suspicious activity.
If you don’t have a garage or a driveway, the final option is to keep your car parked on the road, which is the least desirable overnight storage location from an insurance perspective, as your car will be out of sight, won’t be behind any sort of locked door and potentially not within as close a proximity to your house as a driveway.
Check the vehicle information returned by the registration lookup and complete any value field requested by the quote form. Do not assume every detail is filled automatically.
Most temporary insurance providers offer cover from one hour to 28 days; therefore, six months is a little past that.
Be aware that cancelling an annual policy part way through may incur a cancellation fee, you won’t earn your year’s NCD, plus your refund probably won’t be for six months’ worth of remaining cover.
Always check with your annual insurer before making these types of changes or cancellations; to find out what implications and costs are associated with it.
You can only obtain short term car insurance from us once you have a full licence. We will also require at least six months on your licence to be able to provide you with a short term car insurance quote.
Here at Covertime we required you to have a full UK driving licence to be able to take out temp cover on our car insurance. We cannot currently provide short term insurance for non-UK driving licence holders.
You can’t drive a car on public roads without insurance. If you were to drive a car without insurance, it would be illegal, and you could see points on your licence or fines if you were caught.
If you’re buying from a car dealer, then they may have cover for test rides included on their motor trade insurance, this could cover accompanied demonstrations or unaccompanied demonstrations cover.
For private sales, temporary car cover can be really useful to make sure you can test the car that you’re considering purchasing but ensure that you are properly insured to do so and not driving it illegally.
Yes, you can insure yourself on a friend’s car with temporary insurance for a car in the UK! If you want to drive a friend’s car, then you can get a short term car insurance quote from us today and get on the road in minutes; it doesn’t take very long at all to get a quote, most people do it under 60 seconds when you have all the relevant details to hand such as your driving licence and car registration!
By using short term car insurance UK, you can absolutely insure yourself safely and legally on a car you don’t own.
The biggest benefit to this is that you only have to insure yourself on it for the time you need, so you can potentially save money by insuring only for the time you’re driving.
Should you need to drive the car for a little longer than expected, then you can simply purchase another new temporary insurance policy and get to your destination, insured comprehensively.
We will send you a policy expiry email ahead of your policy finishing, so you can follow the link back to our site to obtain a new policy if needs be.
You cannot transfer temporary cover to another car or person. As temporary insurance is so easy and flexible, you would just take out another policy for the other car or other person on a short term basis.
If your previously policy is no longer needed and the inception time hasn’t started, then you can contact us for a potential refund if no cover has commenced.
Unfortunately, you cannot insure a modified or custom car using our temporary insurance. This is because a modified car could have performance enhancing modifications which are unacceptable to our insurer panel for their short term policy underwriting criteria. Modified cars can have a different value or power to their manufacturer specifications that our premiums are calculated on.
You can insure more than one vehicle with temporary insurance, but you will need to insure each vehicle on its own policy.
Therefore, you could have one temporary policy on one car and then have another temporary policy on another car.
It may well be a pretty unusual situation where this would occur, but it is possible.
Use the online form to request a quote. For questions about the process or an existing policy, visit the contact page.
When you take out a short term car insurance policy with us, we will send you all of your insurer documentation via email immediately.
If you’re involved in an incident that may result in a claim, contact your insurer directly as they will handle the process.
Claims should be reported as soon as possible. If you need help, our team is here to assist.
There are various different advanced driver courses in the UK that you can attend. These include various courses offered by IAM Road Smart including their Advanced Driver Course, Young Driver Assessment and Mature Driver Review; you can also use other providers such as the Pass Plus Scheme or RoSPA Advanced Driving Course.
These courses could be of great value to improve your driving and keep you safer on the roads, but unfortunately, they won’t provide a discount for your short term car insurance.
Review the extras actually offered in your quote, their price and their separate conditions. Do not assume breakdown assistance, legal expenses or excess protection is included.
Temporary insurance UK may be a cheaper solution because you’re only paying for the exact time you need cover. Whether it’s for an hour, a day, or a few weeks. Unlike annual policies, you’re not tied into long term contracts or paying for unused cover.
Many temporary insurance providers in the UK use streamlined digital platforms to reduce admin costs, making policies more affordable and flexible for drivers.
There are a number of insurers in the UK who underwrite temporary car cover policies in the United Kingdom.
These include, but are not limited to: Allianz, KGM, Eridge, Somerset Bridge, First Underwriting, ERS, Haven, Granite and Aviva.
Your annual policy may not insure you to drive another person's car. Where Driving Other Cars cover is included, it often provides third-party-only protection. Check your certificate and policy wording before relying on it.