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Quick & Easy Temporary Car Insurance

Get affordable cover, unbelievably fast

To get started, tell us the reg of the car, van, or bike you want cover for

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Find your vehicle from the options below

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Can we guess how long you need cover for?

Maybe not, choose your own duration

Hours
Days
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Choose short term cover that’s right for you

Temporary car insurance

Drivers aged 17-78 can find flexible short-term car insurance from 1 hour to 28 days - ideal for a range of everyday situations.

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Temporary van insurance

Tradesmen or drivers looking to borrow a van, aged 17-77, can find temporary insurance from 1 hour to 28 days temporary van insurance.

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Temporary courier insurance

Get flexible, short-term cover for a range of delivery jobs including single or multi-stop deliveries with temporary courier insurance.

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Impounded vehicle insurance

Time is crucial when your vehicle is impounded. Don’t waste that time – get covered quickly with impounded vehicle insurance.

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Temporary bike insurance

Get up to 7 days cover with temporary motorbike insurance. It’s ideal for occasional riders.

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Temporary learner insurance

Get extra practice without the worry. Temporary learner insurance provides fully comprehensive short-term cover and protects the owner’s NCD.

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Temporary expats insurance

With tailored temporary expats insurance, returning ex-pats can get flexible and affordable temp car insurance if they want to drive while in the UK.

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Temporary European car Insurance

We offer drivers short-term car insurance that covers them to drive across all EU member states, along with other European countries.

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Temporary student car insurance

University students can save money with our short-term car insurance – perfect for when you're home from uni and want to use the folks' car.

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Why choose Tempcover for your temporary car insurance?

We're a leading provider

Tempcover is a leading provider of temporary car insurance in the UK, with over a decade's experience in the industry. In that time, we've developed a range of short-term insurance products and created an industry that has helped hundreds of thousands of drivers get flexible and affordable insurance.

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We compare prices

We work with a panel of insurers to help you get the policy you need from a range of options and for different durations. This means you only pay for the time you choose plus additional extras to help get the temp insurance you need.

Flexible policy durations

Whether you need short-term car insurance or cover for your van, you can select the duration you need. We offer cover from just 1 hour up to 28 days, depending on the type of vehicle you need to insure.

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Fully comprehensive cover

Our temporary car, van, learner and bike insurance (excluding impounded) comes with fully comprehensive cover as standard. You get the highest level of cover available whether you’re borrowing a vehicle or letting someone use yours.

It's quick and easy

It’s unbelievably quick to get the temp car insurance you need, thanks to our incredibly simple quote process – it takes just a few minutes to get your policy!

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We're here to help

Our highly skilled team works hard to make it as easy as possible for you to get the right short-term insurance. Anytime, anywhere – with Tempcover, there’s no waiting around.

Our customers love us

We also currently hold an ‘Excellent’ rating on the customer review site Trustpilot.

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What is temporary car insurance?

There isn’t always the need to commit to annual car insurance because short-term cover offers a solution for many everyday situations. Temporary car insurance allows you to get a flexible and fully comprehensive policy for periods ranging from as short as 1 hour to 28 days. It will cover you for damage you cause other drivers and their cars, along with yourself and your vehicle.

If you’re borrowing or sharing a car for a short period, temporary car insurance can be an affordable option with no long-term contracts. You don’t have to worry about adjusting existing cover or adding another name to an existing policy.

What does temporary insurance cover?

With comprehensive cover as standard on temporary car insurance (excluding impounded), you’re covered for any damage to yourself, your car and/or any third parties involved in an accident.

What's covered with short term car insurance?

  • Fully comprehensive insurance (excluding impounded) on policies from 1 hour to 28 days  
  • Accidental and malicious damage to your car  
  • Cover for injury or damage to another person or their property  
  • Driving in the UK
  • In some instances driving in the EU with the third-party or equivalent level

What's optional with short term car insurance?

  • Legal Expenses Cover providing up to £100,000 cover for legal costs including uninsured loss recovery for accidents that are not your fault
  • Excess Reduction Cover, reducing your policy excess to as close as £100 as possible

What's not included with short term insurance?

  • The excess you agreed to pay
  • Release from an impound (unless you buy a specific temporary impounded vehicle policy)
  • Additional drivers – we can only cover the driver named on the policy
  • A sole claim or separate cover for broken/damaged glass including the windscreen

Tempcover works with a panel of insurers to ensure we can provide temporary car insurance for as many drivers as possible. Because of this, full details of cover may differ depending on the insurer. Please double-check the policy wording before purchasing to confirm what is specifically covered in your policy.

The cover you need for the duration you want

Full cover, no impact

Get fully comprehensive cover on our standard short term policies - plus it won't affect your no claims discount

Hourly, daily, weekly

Choose the duration you want with 1-12 hour and 1-28 day cover available - don't pay for cover you don't need

All customised, nothing added

Customise your policy to suit your specific situation - get the policy you want and even choose the minute you want your policy to begin

  • Car
  • Van
  • Bike
  • Courier
  • Expat
  • Learner
  • Impounded
  • Car
  • Van
  • Bike
  • Courier
  • Expat
  • Learner
  • Impounded

Get 1 hour to 28 day temporary car insurance quotes in 90 seconds

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Get 1 hour to 28 day temporary van insurance quotes in 90 seconds

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Get 1 to 7 day temporary motorbike insurance quotes in 90 seconds

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Get 1 to 28 day temporary courier driver insurance quotes in 90 seconds

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Get 1 hour to 28 day temporary expat driver insurance quotes in 90 seconds

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Get 12 hour to 28 day temporary learner driver insurance quotes in 90 seconds

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Get 30 day temporary impounded vehicle insurance quotes in 90 seconds

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Forget long quotes. Get a price in 90 seconds

No difficult questions

We've removed the difficult questions most insurance providers ask, so getting a quote is quick and easy. You can see your cheapest insurance quote in under 2 minutes

Quick quote comparison

We do the comparison work to find your cheapest quote. We’ll compare quotes from our panel of insurers in seconds and show you the best price.

Mobile, tablet, desktop & app

Get quick and easy quotes online 24/7 on mobile, tablet, desktop and psst...it's even quicker on the tempcover.com app!

So that's what we do...
Affordable cover, unbelievably fast

But don't just take our word for it

Rated Excellent | 27,106 Reviews

We’ve been recognised for our work with plenty of awards

Is temporary car insurance legit?

 Tempcover has provided temporary vehicle insurance to hundreds of thousands of drivers for over 15 years.

We’re currently rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot and have over 27,000 reviews, with over 80% of reviewers giving us 5 stars!

Discover more about temporary insurance

Who we cover

Working with a number of insurers means we can cover a wider range of people – find out if we can offer insurance to you.

Find Out More

FAQs

Do you have a specific question you need answering? Here are the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

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Product guides

Discover all you ever need to know about all our products and insurance in general with our range of handy guides.

View Product Guides

Blog

Check out our range of news, reviews, tips and articles about everything from selling your car to picking your next holiday.

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Live chat

Get quick answers to all your questions by speaking to our trained customer care team.

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Contact us

If you're still stuck, get in contact and we'll answer your query personally and promptly.

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What our expert says

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Whether you’re borrowing a car, moving house, visiting friends and family, or learning to drive, temporary insurance can help you find the cover you need for your situation. It's quick, easy, and gives you peace of mind on the road.

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Marc Pell

Managing Director

Find out how we can help you
Affordable cover, unbelievably fast

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Frequently asked questions

How does short-term car insurance work?

Short–term car insurance gives you fully comprehensive cover for a set period. It is available hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly, so you have a choice of durations that could suit your needs.

The amount you pay for your cover depends on the duration, along with other factors such as the car’s mileage and make. When you begin the quote process with us, you will be given an estimate of how much your temp insurance will cost based on the information you provide.

You can also tell us when you need your cover to begin. With short-term insurance, we understand that you might need to arrange a policy at the last minute. So, you can get a quote in as little as 90 seconds and arrange cover with us in just a few minutes.

Begin the quote process now and follow the steps to arrange your insurance policy.


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How quickly can I get temporary insurance?

Our temporary car insurance is designed to be flexible and straightforward, so you could be on the road within minutes of purchasing your insurance policy with Tempcover.

It’s important to note that your insurance status may not be updated on the Motor Insurance Database straight away. We recommend that you print or screenshot your Insurance Certificate and carry it with you as proof of your insurance and legal entitlement to drive the vehicle.


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What does temporary car insurance cover?

Temporary car insurance (excluding impounded) is fully comprehensive as standard with Tempcover. Your short-term car insurance covers:

  • Accidental and malicious damage to your car
  • Legal liabilities for injury or damage to another person or their property
  • Driving in the UK and in some instances driving in the EU

We also offer optional coverage at extra cost. Tempcover works with a panel of insurers to ensure every customer gets the level of cover they need. This means the extent of your temporary car insurance may vary depending on the insurer. Make sure you always double-check the policy wording before you make a purchase.


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How old do I have to be to get temporary car insurance?

Our policy states that you need to be aged 17-78 and hold a full UK or EU driving licence to be eligible for temporary car insurance with Tempcover.


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Am I eligible for temporary insurance?

We cover drivers who want to be insured to drive a car or other vehicle for a short period. You might want to share a long drive or borrow someone else’s car. Your car might be at the garage for repairs, so you need to borrow someone else’s car in the meantime.

Whatever the reason, we have eligibility criteria that you must fulfil to take out short-term car insurance with us. This includes:

  • You must be aged between 17 and 78 years old (depending on which temporary insurance product you select)
  • You must hold a UK driving licence, an EU driving licence or a UK provisional driving licence
  • You must have been a permanent UK resident for the last 12 months or a British expatriate who has previously been a permanent resident of the UK
  • You must have no more than 7 licence points in the last 3 years
  • You must not have been disqualified from driving for the last 2 years

Before you start the quote process, check the eligibility criteria to ensure that your request for cover is likely to be successful.


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Can I get one-day car insurance?

We provide fast and flexible short-term car insurance policies starting from 1 hour to 28 days, so insuring a car for 24 hours is straightforward.

Our daily car insurance gives you the same level of cover you’d expect from longer insurance without having to sign up for long-term contracts or commitments. You’ll receive hassle-free cover on the day you need it.


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Can I get hourly car insurance?

We provide short–term car insurance policies starting from just 1 hour! Our hourly temp insurance is designed to provide drivers with maximum flexibility and between 1-12 hours of cover.

Our policies give you peace of mind and ensure you’re legally able to use a car straight away so you’re covered in the case of an incident. You can find out more about the details of the cover available by visiting our hourly car insurance page.


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Can I get temporary car insurance on a friend's car?

Yes, you can get short-term car insurance on a friend’s car when you have their permission to drive it. This option means they won’t need to pay more to add you to their policy. Also, their NCD won’t be affected if you need to make a claim on your short-term car insurance policy.


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Can I get temporary insurance to drive a van?

Of course! With Tempcover, you can find affordable and comprehensive short–term van insurance options. Our policies start from just 1 hour and go up to 28 days, so you’ll only have to pay for the duration you need.

For more information on the cover available, visit our temporary van insurance page.


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Can I use temporary insurance for business use?

Tempcover short–term insurance policies cover commuting to and from one place of work, as well as social and domestic use.

You may need more in-depth cover if you’re using your car for Class 1 business use or travelling to multiple places of work. In these cases, you should check the Insurer’s Declaration after you’ve received a quote to see if the level of cover is suitable. It’s important to check this before you pay for a policy with us.


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Can I use temporary insurance to drive in Europe?

Our temporary car, van, and motorbike insurance policies cover you to drive in all EU member states. The following countries are also covered:

  • Gibraltar
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Monaco
  • Norway
  • San Marino
  • Switzerland
  • Andorra

Be sure to know which countries you’ll be driving in before you purchase your short-term car insurance so you can check what level of cover is needed.


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Can I tax a car if I have temporary insurance?

Yes, you can tax a car covered by temporary insurance in one of two ways. You can do this online on the DVLA website or visit your local post office with your insurance documentation.


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What is policy excess? How much is it?

The policy excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim in the event of an incident. This amount will need to be paid to get your vehicle repaired or replaced.

With temporary insurance, you’ll only have to pay compulsory access – the amount you need to pay towards the cost of your claim. This is a pre-agreed amount but will differ depending on the duration of your policy and the level of protection provided.


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Are there any restrictions on short-term cover?

As long as you meet our eligibility criteria, you’re likely to receive temp car insurance from Tempcover. But there are some things we do not cover:

  • No vehicle modifications allowed (those designed to aid disabled drivers are exempt)
  • Left-hand-drive cars
  • Cars with more than 8 seats
  • Hire and loan vehicles
  • Hire and reward vehicles (excluding our courier scheme)
  • Use for carrying hazardous goods or at hazardous locations
  • SORN vehicles
  • International driving licences

You can find more details on what we don’t cover by checking our eligibility page.


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When is temporary car insurance not suitable?

There are certain circumstances where temporary insurance with Tempcover isn’t the right choice. These include:

  • No vehicle modifications allowed (except for those designed to aid disabled drivers)
  • Left-hand-drive cars (we do insure left-hand-drive motorhomes)
  • Cars with more than 8 seats in total
  • Commercial vehicles with more than 5 seats in total
  • Use for hire or loan vehicles (i.e. vehicle rentals, vehicle salvage/recovery agents, credit hire vehicle/companies and accident management companies)
  • Use for hire and reward (excluding our courier scheme which covers the carriage of goods for hire and reward purposes), racing, pace-making, speed testing, commercial travelling or use for any purpose in relation to the motor trade
  • Use for carrying hazardous goods or use at a hazardous location
  • Vehicles declared as SORN
  • International driving licences

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Can I get temporary car insurance without having main or annual insurance?

Yes. When you take out temporary car insurance with us, you can drive a car for the period that your short-term policy covers you without having to take out annual insurance. This applies whether you need one-hour or one-month cover, or something in-between.


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Can I have short-term car insurance at the same time as annual insurance?

Yes, that’s not a problem. You can take out temporary car insurance alongside your annual policy and it won’t affect your No Claims Discount if you need to make a claim.


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Can I cancel my policy?

We are unable to make any changes or additions to your cover once you’ve purchased a policy, but you can cancel it at any time by contacting us.

However, due to the short-term nature of temporary car insurance, you will not receive a full refund.


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Can I take out insurance for my MOT?

Every vehicle you want to insure must have a valid MOT. You can, however, purchase shortterm insurance to drive your vehicle to MOT appointments.


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What happens if I have an accident while I’ve got temporary cover?

If you’ve been involved in an accident, there are immediate steps you need to take:

  • Stop at the scene. It is an offence to drive away from an accident once it’s taken place
  • Use your hazard lights to warn other road users and help prevent any further accidents
  • Check that everyone in your vehicle is safe and call an ambulance if there are any injuries
  • Record the damage by taking photos of any vehicles involved in the accident, including registration numbers, and any road signage
  • Don’t admit responsibility at the scene of the accident or when talking with the other party
  • Take witness details as they can help you win your claim if the other party contests your version of events
  • Call our dedicated claims team on 0333 241 3392 as soon as you can to start the claims process

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How does the Tempcover claims process work?

Even when you take necessary precautions, the worst can still happen. If it does, Tempcover is here to support you every step of the way. To make a claim with us, call our dedicated team on 0333 241 3392 and they’ll collect the details of your claim.

If applicable, they can help you arrange repairs and a replacement car or even help you reclaim uninsured losses.


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Will my No Claims Discount be affected if I make a claim?

Short-term car insurance is separate from an annual policy, so it won’t affect your NCD if you need to make a claim in the event of an incident.


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Will I build up my No Claims Discount with temporary car insurance?

You’re not able to build up your NCD on a short–term car insurance policy. This is because temp insurance does not renew after the maximum duration of 28 days, so each policy counts as new.


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How do I find out the expiry date for my short-term car insurance?

When you purchase short–term car insurance with Tempcover, we’ll send you your policy documents once payment is confirmed. You can find the details of your temp insurance, including its expiry date, in your documents.

You can find your policy documents on the “You’re Covered!” confirmation page or via a secure link in your confirmation email, which is sent directly after your purchase.


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