Temporary car insurance from 1 hour to 28 days
Temporary car insurance arranged by insurd, provided through
A better way to insure your car for the short term
Sometimes a 12-month policy just doesn’t make sense. Whether you’re borrowing a friend’s car for the weekend, driving a new purchase home, or covering a gap between annual policies, temporary car insurance gives you exactly the cover you need — for exactly as long as you need it.
At insurd, we’re an FCA-regulated specialist insurance broker with over 50 years of experience. For short-term car cover, we work with GoShorty, one of the UK’s leading temporary vehicle insurance specialists.
Whether you’re driving your own car or someone else’s, covering a one-off trip or a longer period, make it simple to get insured and get on the road. Get fully comprehensive cover in under 2 minutes.
Fully comprehensive cover
Unlike some short-term policies, our temporary car insurance is fully comprehensive from the moment it starts — not just third-party. That means you and the vehicle are both protected.
No impact on your no-claims bonus
Because it’s a standalone policy separate from your annual insurance, any claim made under your temporary cover will not affect your existing no-claims bonus. Your long-term policy stays untouched.
Cover from 1 hour to 28 days
Choose exactly how long you need cover for — from as little as 1 hour up to 28 days. You only pay for the time you need, and your documents are emailed to you immediately after purchase.
What does temporary car insurance cover?
All temporary car insurance policies are fully comprehensive — covering accidental damage, theft, fire, adverse weather and third-party liability. No need to choose a level of cover.
Accidental damage
If the car is damaged in an accident, comprehensive cover means the vehicle can be repaired or replaced — whether it was your fault or not.*
Social, domestic and pleasure use
All temporary policies include cover for everyday personal use — day trips, weekends away, visiting friends and family.*
Commuting
The policy includes commuting use, so you can drive to and from your place of work while your cover is active.*
Business use — Class 1
Temporary car insurance can be used for Class 1 business use on a private car. Note: This does not cover delivery, door-to-door sales or taxi use.*
EU, EEA and Switzerland travel
Third-party cover is included for driving in EU, EEA member states and Switzerland.*
No-claims bonus protected
Because this is a standalone policy, any claim made on your temporary cover should not affect the no-claims bonus on your main annual policy.*
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and GoShorty’s policy terms and conditions.
When do you need temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance is designed for any situation where short-term cover makes more sense than an annual policy. Here are the most common reasons people get covered:
Borrowing a friend or family member’s car
Rather than being added to someone else’s annual policy, which can increase their premium, a standalone temporary policy keeps you covered without affecting their insurance.
Driving a new car home
Just bought a car? You need insurance before you can drive it away. A temporary policy covers you immediately while you arrange your annual cover.
Test driving a privately sold vehicle
Most sellers won’t allow a test drive without proof of insurance. A short-term policy gives you the cover you need to take the car out safely.
Covering a gap between annual policies
If your annual policy has lapsed or you’re between policies, temporary cover ensures you’re never uninsured — even for a short period.
Sharing a long drive
Taking turns at the wheel on a long journey? Adding an extra driver to an existing policy can be expensive. Temporary cover for the second driver is often a more cost-effective option.
Using a car while yours is being repaired
If your own car is off the road, temporary insurance lets you drive a borrowed or courtesy vehicle without any impact on your own policy.
Driving to a pre-booked MOT
If your car’s MOT has lapsed, you can still drive it to a pre-booked MOT appointment with the right short-term cover in place.
Seasonal or occasional use
Only need a car a few times a year? For drivers who use a vehicle infrequently, temporary cover on demand is often more cost-effective than an annual policy.
What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance — also called short-term car insurance — is a fully comprehensive motor insurance policy that lasts for a defined short period, from as little as 1 hour up to 28 days. Unlike an annual policy, you only pay for the exact duration you need, with no long-term commitment.
It works as a completely standalone policy, separate from any existing annual insurance you or the vehicle owner may have. This is important for two reasons: it means the car owner’s no-claims bonus is protected if you borrow their vehicle, and it means your own no-claims bonus is unaffected if you need to make a claim.
Temporary car insurance is not the same as being added as a named driver to someone else’s policy. It is its own policy, in your name, providing the same level of comprehensive cover as a standard annual policy — just for a shorter period.
What other types of temporary insurance does insurd offer?
Temporary car insurance is just one of the short-term policies we arrange. If you need cover for a different vehicle type, we’ve got you covered:
- Temporary van insurance — fully comprehensive short-term cover for vans from 1 hour to 28 days, including business use.
- Temporary motorhome insurance — short-term cover for motorhomes, ideal for holidays, one-off trips or seasonal use.
- Temporary campervan insurance — flexible short-term cover for campervans from 1 to 28 days.
Is temporary car insurance the same as impound insurance?
No — they are entirely different products. Temporary car insurance is short-term comprehensive cover for normal road use. Impound insurance is a specialist 30-day third-party-only policy required to release a vehicle from a police compound. A temporary car insurance policy cannot be used to release an impounded vehicle. If your vehicle has been seized, you need our impound insurance page instead.
If you need longer-term cover, insurd also arranges annual car insurance.
Am I eligible for temporary car insurance?
Before you start your quote, check the eligibility criteria below. The underwriting provider sets these.
Driver eligibility
- You must hold a full UK driving licence (EU licences are also accepted)
- You must be aged 19 to 75
- Your licence must have been held for at least 12 months (3 months if you are over 25)
- Drivers with up to 9 penalty points in the last 5 years may be considered
- No more than one fault claim in the last 12 months
- You must have the permission of the vehicle owner to drive the car
Vehicle eligibility
- The vehicle must be registered in the UK
- Maximum vehicle value £65,000
- The vehicle must have a valid MOT (or be driven directly to a pre-booked MOT appointment)
- The vehicle must not be declared SORN
- No more than 8 seats including the driver
- Not a hire, rental or leased vehicle
- Not imported, left-hand drive, or modified (except mobility modifications)
- Engine size must be 3,999cc or under
- Not a heavy goods vehicle or over 3.5 tonnes GVW
* Wide acceptance criteria mean many drivers who might be declined elsewhere can still get cover through GoShorty. If you’re unsure, enter your details and the quote system will confirm eligibility.
How much does temporary car insurance cost?
The cost of temporary car insurance depends on the duration of cover, your personal details, your driving history, and the vehicle you’re insuring. Because it’s a pay-as-you-go product, you only pay for the exact time you need.
As a rough guide, policies typically start from:
- 1 hour from £11.72
- 1 day from £21.87
- 1 week from £46.59
- 2 weeks average is £54.11
Factors that affect your price include:
- Your age and driving experience
- Your driving history and any penalty points
- The make, model, value and engine size of the vehicle
- The duration of cover you need
- Whether you need business use included
* Indicative price ranges drawn from GoShorty pricing data. Your actual quote may differ. The most accurate way to find your price is to complete a quote above — it takes under 2 minutes.
How to get temporary car insurance through insurd
Step 1 — Enter your reg and get a quote: Use the quote tool above. Enter the registration number of the vehicle you want to insure and it will automatically pull through the vehicle details. Complete the short online form with your personal information and chosen duration — it takes under 2 minutes.
Step 2 — Choose your duration and pay: Select how long you need cover for — from 1 hour to 28 days. Review your quote, make payment securely online, and your policy documents are emailed to you immediately.
Step 3 — Get driving: Your cover starts at the time you selected. Your policy documents confirm you are insured — keep them accessible while you’re driving. Cover ends automatically at the time specified, with no renewals or cancellations needed.
Temporary car insurance frequently asked questions
What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance — also called short-term car insurance — is a fully comprehensive motor policy lasting from 1 hour to 28 days. It is a standalone policy separate from any annual insurance, meaning neither your no-claims bonus nor the vehicle owner's is affected if you make a claim.
How is temporary car insurance different from annual insurance?
Annual insurance covers you for 12 months and typically includes unlimited mileage and a range of optional add-ons. Temporary insurance covers you for a defined short period — as little as 1 hour — with no long-term commitment. You pay only for the time you need, and the policy is completely separate from any existing annual cover.
Will a claim affect my no-claims bonus?
No. Because temporary car insurance is a standalone policy, any claim made under it should not affect the no-claims bonus on your existing annual policy. You should still declare any claim to your main insurer, but your NCD should be unaffected.
Can I get temporary insurance on someone else's car?
Yes. Temporary car insurance can be taken out on a vehicle you don't own, as long as you have the owner's permission to drive it. The policy is in your name, which means the car owner's own insurance and no-claims bonus are completely protected.
How quickly can I get covered?
Immediately. Once your quote is completed and payment made, your policy documents are emailed to you straight away. The GoShorty quote journey takes under 2 minutes, and cover can start right away or at a future date and time of your choosing.
Can I get temporary car insurance for 1 day?
Yes. One-day car insurance is one of the most popular durations — ideal for a single trip, borrowing a car for the day, or test driving a private sale vehicle. The policy is fully comprehensive and starts at the exact time you choose.
Does temporary car insurance cover business use?
Yes — Class 1 business use on a private car is included. This covers driving to different business locations in the course of your work. It does not cover delivery use, door-to-door sales or taxi use, which require different specialist cover.
Can I get temporary car insurance with penalty points?
Yes, in many cases. GoShorty considers drivers with up to 9 penalty points in the last 5 years. Your quote will reflect your driving history — enter your details above to check your eligibility.
What is the excess on a temporary car insurance policy?
The standard excess on temporary car insurance policies through GoShorty is typically £500. An additional excess of £100 may apply depending on your vehicle details. Your exact excess will be shown as part of your quote before you pay.
Can I extend my temporary car insurance if I need more time?
If you need cover for longer than originally planned, you can take out a new policy for the additional period. GoShorty's online quote journey takes under 2 minutes, so extending your cover is quick and straightforward. Alternatively, we offer full annual car insurance policies.
Is temporary car insurance the same as impound insurance?
No — they are entirely different products. Temporary car insurance is short-term comprehensive cover for normal road use. Impound insurance is a specialist 30-day third party only policy required to release a vehicle from a police compound. A temporary policy cannot be used for impound release. If your vehicle has been seized, visit our impound insurance page.
What documents do I need to get a quote?
You'll need the registration number of the vehicle you want to insure, your driving licence number, and your personal details including date of birth and address. The quote takes under 2 minutes to complete.
Ready to get covered?
Get temporary car insurance from 1 hour to 28 days in under 2 minutes. Enter your reg above, get your quote, and your documents are in your inbox before you leave the house.
Buy online
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insurd arranges temporary car insurance through GoShorty — FCA-regulated, fully comprehensive cover, documents delivered immediately after payment.
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