Short term car insurance cover is ideal for anybody who only plans on driving a car for a short period of time. Taking out a short term car insurance policy will mean that you are covered in the event of an accident sustained to either yourself or a vehicle. Temporary car insurance enables you to take out insurance for as long as you need without being forced into a long term commitment with an insurance provider.

Short term car insurance is also very useful as it is very easy to arrange for this type of insurance on the internet or over the phone. Another benefit to taking out temporary car insurance is that this type of policy can run in addition to your usual policy. This means that if you have an accident in an unfamiliar car that you won’t lose your no-claims bonus.

How long does short term car insurance cover have to last for?

Short term car insurance will usually last for anything from between 1 to 28 days in the UK. With some companies you might be able to extend the cover to include more days.

When is short term car insurance useful?

Short term car insurance cover is useful if you have bought a new car but have not yet managed to sort out full insurance for the vehicle.  This type of insurance is also useful if an insurance policy has expired and the new insurance hasn’t yet come into effect. Short term vehicle insurance doesn’t just cover cars, you can also purchase temporary van insurance and bike insurance too.

Short term car insurance will cover a person if they want to legally drive their own vehicle or someone else’s car. Temporary car insurance is also a good idea if you’re planning on driving while on holiday or want to take a test drive of a car. Here are some situations where short term car insurance is a useful policy to take out:

  • Drive a new car home from a dealer forecourt on the day of purchase
  • Insure yourself on someone else’s car (with their permission)
  • Carry furniture in a van when you move home
  • Allow a friend or relative borrow your car
  • Take a test drive at a car showroom
  • Hire a car on holiday

Who can take out short term car insurance?

In order to take out short term car insurance you will usually have to be aged over 23. However, there are some temporary car insurance companies that will insurance people under the age of 23 provided they are eligible.

In almost all cases, drivers need to have held a full, valid UK or EU driving licence for at least a year in order to qualify for short term car insurance.

It is also important to remember that penalty points, disqualifications and previous insurance claims can all affect your eligibility for short term car insurance.