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Temporary Car Insurance
Temporary car insurance is an affordable way to cover yourself to drive a different car on a flexible basis. By taking out the short-term cover you are preserving any other insurance policies you have, as well as protecting the vehicle owner’s No Claims Discount.
We provide cover from as little as 1 hour and up to 1 month (28 days). This affordable approach allows you to only pay for the cover you need.
Our easy-to-follow quote form does the hard work for you, finding you the best temporary car insurance available, allowing you to get a quote and buy cover in minutes.
Customer surveys reveal that UK motorists’ second biggest car-related concern is the cost of insurance. You could save money by using a short-term policy. By taking out temporary cover car insurance, you have the flexibility to only pay for what you use, saving money.
About this policy
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Fully comprehensive cover
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1 hour to 28 days flexible cover
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Low Excess
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Drivers aged 18 to 75
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Maximum car value is £65,000
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Protect the car owner’s No Claims Discount
What is temporary car insurance?
Need insurance to drive a car for an hour, a day, a week, or a month? Use our quick and easy quote form to find cheap, affordable short-term car insurance. Protect the owner’s No Claims Discount by taking out your own policy and ensuring you are legally and adequately insured. And with your insurance documents delivered straight to your inbox, you could be covered to drive away in minutes.
Temporary car insurance is an affordable way to cover yourself to drive a different car on a flexible basis. By taking out the short-term cover you are preserving any other insurance policies you have, as well as protecting the vehicle owner’s No Claims Discount.
Meet the team
Who needs temporary car insurance?
There are a whole host of reasons you may need to take out a short-term insurance policy, including:
Borrowing a Car or Van
If you’re borrowing a vehicle from a friend or family for a one-off trip, then temporary insurance is perfect for you.
Occasional Driver
If you only drive a car now and then, with one main driver already insured, then you may only need to grab short-term car insurance for your journeys.
Sharing the Driving on a Long Trip
Temporary car insurance is perfect for long road trips where you’re all taking in turns to get behind the wheel but don’t want to risk affecting the owner’s no-claims discount.
Using a Courtesy Car
Not driving your own car? Temporary cover is here to help.
Emergency Usage
When an emergency strikes and you find yourself at the wheel of someone else’s car, put your mind at ease with a temporary cover.
Moving to a New House or Office
Temporary cover is perfect for short one-time journeys where you just need car insurance short term.
Young Drivers back from University or College
We have temporary student car insurance that’s perfect for students making individual trips.
Collecting or Delivering a Vehicle
While some car sellers give you drive-away insurance, many don’t. Make sure you’re covered when picking up or dropping off a car.
Test Driving a New Car
Want to try before you buy? Make sure you’ve got yourself hourly car insurance to help you avoid a sticky situation.
Learner Drivers and Young Drivers
If your kids are learning to drive, then short-term car insurance could be their ticket to practicing in their own time without a hefty bill.
Meet the team
Are you Eligible for a Temporary Car Cover?
Before you get a temporary insurance quote, you need to know that you’re eligible.
At the very least, you need a valid driving license and the vehicle owner’s permission, but there’s more to it than that. If you’re still working out whether short-term car insurance is right for you, have a look at our checklist.
Please note that all our Short Term Insurance policies are submitted to the Motor Insurance Database (MID) at midnight every day. We recommend always having a copy of your Insurance Certificate with you during the period of cover.
Criteria the Car Being Insured Must Meet:
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Cars and Commercial Vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes)
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Minimum value Cars and Vans: £1* subject to age restrictions
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Maximum value Cars: £65,000
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Maximum value Vans: £65,000
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Social, Domestic and Pleasure or Social, Domestic, and Pleasure + Commercial use only – usage will be restricted to social domestic, and pleasure purposes, which includes commuting and personal business use only
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Foreign use is not permitted
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Not for exporting – journeys must start and end in the UK
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Is not imported or left-hand drive and not modified (factory-fitted extras or modifications for a disabled driver or passenger, or LPG conversions are acceptable).
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Has no more than 7 seats and is not a rental or hire vehicle (if commercial – no more than 5 seats)
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Must not be modified. LPG conversions and Disabled Modified are acceptable
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Have a valid MOT (if required), is NOT declared as SORN (off-road) with DVLA, and have NOT been seized by the police.
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Not to be used for impounded or seized vehicles (unless specified as impounded cover)
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Not to be used for any form of motor racing, pacemaking, track days, motor trade usage or hire and reward
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Not for carrying hazardous goods or use at a hazardous location
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There is no cover under this policy for vehicles that are insured, owned by, operated by, supplied by, hired or rented from any Claims, Credit hire or Accident Management Company.
Criteria the driver Being Insured Must Meet:
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Private Car – driver aged 19 to 75
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Commercial Vehicle – driver aged 21 to 75
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Has a current permanent address as stated throughout this application (please note you may be asked to provide proof of residence in the event of a claim)
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Has not ever been refused insurance, had a policy canceled or voided
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No driving ban in the last 60 months
What is Covered with Our Temporary Car Insurance?
Short-term car insurance can be just as secure as an annual policy.
Your quote can cover:
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Cars and commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
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Cars and vans up to £65,000.
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Social, domestic, pleasure, and commercial journeys (subject to restrictions).
Our policies also protect whoever’s behind the wheel including:
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Private drivers aged 19 to 75.
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Commercial vehicle drivers aged 21 to 75.
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Drivers with a current permanent address as stated in their application.
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Drivers who have never been refused an insurance policy or had one canceled or voided.
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Drivers who have received a ban in the last 60 months.
Meet the team
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How to get temporary car insurance in the UK?
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Provide your details. Enter your name, age, occupation, and car registration to get a temporary car insurance quote.
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Pick your duration. Pick cover from 1 hour to 30 days.
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Get insured. Once approved, you're ready to drive. Extend your cover anytime through your online account.
Question: Can a foreigner get car insurance in UK?
Yes, you can certainly get car insurance as a non-UK resident, though you might have to jump through a couple of hurdles. It's important to note that anyone driving a car in the UK must have valid insurance, regardless of whether you're a resident, a temporary resident, or a visitor.
Question: Can I own a car in the UK as a non resident?
There are no restrictions regarding vehicle registrations for foreigners in the UK. A non-resident is just required to provide the necessary paperwork and documentation to be able to register.
Question: Can a visitor drive my car in the UK?
If you're a visitor to the UK and will be borrowing a friend or relative's car, you must be added to their policy as a named driver.
Question: Can I buy a car in UK as a tourist?
Who can buy a car in the UK? Buying a car in the UK should pose no problems so long as you can provide a home address. Furthermore, there are no residency requirements for foreign nationals who wish to purchase a vehicle in the UK. You will, however, need a UK address to register, tax, and insure a car.
Question: Can I insure a car in the UK if I live abroad?
To get non–UK resident temporary car insurance from Tempcover, you must meet the following criteria: Have been a previous UK resident for a minimum of 10 years. You temporarily live at the residential address provided on the policy. You are currently living abroad.
Question: Can I insure myself to drive any car UK?
Yes, but you will have to tell the insurer you are not the owner or registered keeper when you apply. Some insurers will only offer you cover as the main driver if you are also the registered keeper of the car. However, many will insure you, so shop around and check the policy documents before you apply.
Question: Can I drive my EU car in the UK after Brexit?
You can usually drive your vehicle in the UK displaying foreign number plates without the need to tax or register your vehicle in the United Kingdom if you meet the following criteria: You are visiting the UK and do not plan to live there. The vehicle you are importing is registered and taxed in its country of origin.
Do you have a question about temporary car insurance?
Submit your question here
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Serviço personalizado e muito atencioso para com os pedidos dos clientes
Ana Costa De matos
2025-05-07
Carlos Wilker
2024-11-20
Muito bom, fiquei satisfeito!
Ricardo Ribeiro
2024-11-11
very happy with the services provided, they help with everything we need and are always available to help us and clarify any doubts, super grateful for the help and work they do to help us get everything done, I love it and I recommend it