Temporary car insurance is a type of protection that provides short-term coverage for driving a car on the road. It allows people to legally drive their car for short periods of time instead of taking out full insurance policies. This can also apply if you are borrowing a friend’s car or hiring a rental!
How much does temporary car insurance cost?
The cost of temporary car insurance will vary depending on your own situation and the level of coverage you may need. Factors that affect the cost include:
- Your age
- Level of driving experience
- The car you want to insure
- How long you need the insurance for
- If you have a no claims
However, according to Tempcover, the average temporary policy cost is:
The cost of temporary car insurance is £44.20 per day and £119.37 per week.
Tempcover, February 2022
Who has the cheapest temporary car insurance?
You can easily find many companies that offer cheaper temporary insurance policies than the above. However, they tend to have much fewer benefits, such as cover for claims due to vandalism or theft. They may also not allow you to claim back your excess.
Zoomcover has the cheapest temporary car insurance in the UK. This was based on the cheapest policy and coverage with the perfect driving experience and a VW Golf.
How to get temporary insurance for your car?
Getting insured on a car temporarily is a relatively straightforward process. This process being:
- Choose an insurance provider: You can find the best one for your needs by using a comparison service, such as GoCompare.
- Submit an application form: This will include your details, driving experience, the car make and model, length of coverage, and start date
- The insurance company makes a decision: They will either approve or disapprove. In some cases, they may ask for further information
- Start driving: Once you’ve received approval, you can usually start driving your car on the time/date your new policy is set to start.
What documents do you need to apply?
The documents you need to apply for temporary car insurance are:
- Passport
- Proof of address
- Drivers licence
- Car registration details
- Vehicle information
- Details of the registered car owner
- Your check codes from the DVLA
Can I tax a car with temporary insurance?
You need to have your car insured before you can purchase tax for it. Luckily, as soon as you buy temporary car insurance, your insurer should send your details to the Motor Insurance Database within 24 hours. This means you can tax your car once the MID receive this information!
Yes, you can tax a car with temporary insurance. This can be done online, through the post, or over the phone.
Can I get temporary insurance if I am learning to drive?
Yes, you can get temporary insurance when you are learning to drive! There are several providers that offer learner insurance for people learning to drive. They may put restrictions in place that prevent you from using it to cover longer distances or use it for any commercial purposes, though.
In some cases, you might even need to cover the car under your parent’s insurance policy instead. You should contact their insurance company to confirm their requirements for learner drivers before applying for this.
Can I get insured if I am 17 years old?
There are many companies that insure 17-year-olds when they are learning to drive. This includes My First UK, TempCover, and Cuvva! So – Yes, you can get short-term car insurance if you are 17 years old. If you are concerned about the pricing, we have a handy comparison for cheap cars to insure for 17 year olds here.
Are there any limitations with temporary car insurance?
There are some limitations to be aware of when it comes to temporary car insurance policies.
- Any claims you make during the term of your cover may be invalidated if you don’t keep to the conditions outlined in your policy documents.
- In most cases, you won’t be able to claim for damage caused by bad weather, the breakdown of your vehicle’s engine and windscreen damage unless it’s the result of an accident that was your fault.
- It may also be difficult for you to claim if you break down somewhere remote or if you park your car and don’t lock it when you leave it unattended. While you can’t claim for all incidents of this kind, it’s still worth being aware of these restrictions.
James Banerjee is an Account Director who graduated from the University of Kent in 2014. He works in SEO on clients such as HSBC UK and Nestle and he has a keen interest in personal finances and money-saving advice.
