Temporary van insurance from 1 hour to 28 days
Temporary van insurance arranged by insurd, provided through
A better way to insure your van for the short term
Whether you’re borrowing a van to move house, covering a new employee while they get started, or need short-term cover while your regular van is off the road, temporary van insurance gives you exactly the flexibility you need — without a 12-month commitment.
At insurd, we’re an FCA-regulated specialist insurance broker with over 50 years of experience. For short-term van cover, we work with GoShorty, one of the UK’s leading short-term vehicle insurance specialists.
Whether you’re a private individual borrowing a van for a one-off move or a business owner who needs fast cover for a vehicle, insurd and GoShorty make it straightforward to get insured and get going. Get fully comprehensive cover in under 2 minutes.
Fully comprehensive cover
Every temporary van policy through insurd and GoShorty is fully comprehensive — accidental damage, theft, fire and third party liability are all covered from the moment your policy starts.
Business use included
Unlike some short-term policies, temporary van insurance through GoShorty includes business use — including carriage of own goods. Whether you’re a tradesperson, a small business owner or a sole trader needing cover for a specific job, the policy has you covered.
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 policy documents are emailed to you immediately after purchase.
What does temporary van insurance cover?
All temporary van policies are fully comprehensive — accidental damage, theft, fire and third-party liability are all included. No need to choose a level of cover.*
Accidental damage
If the van is damaged in an accident, comprehensive cover means the vehicle can be repaired or replaced — regardless of fault.*
Theft and fire
The policy covers loss or damage caused by theft, attempted theft, fire or adverse weather.*
Social, domestic and pleasure use
The policy covers personal use — moving house, transporting large items, helping a friend with a job. All the everyday reasons someone needs a van temporarily.*
Business use and carriage of own goods
A key feature of the temporary van policy is that business use and carriage of own goods are included. Ideal for tradespeople and sole traders who need short-term cover for work purposes.*
Commuting
The policy includes commuting use, so you can drive to and from your place of work while your cover is active.*
No-claims bonus protected
Because this is a standalone policy, any claim made under your temporary cover will not affect the no-claims bonus on your existing annual policy.*
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and GoShorty’s policy terms and conditions.
When do you need temporary van insurance?
Short-term van insurance covers a wide range of situations — from personal one-off use to business needs. Here are the most common reasons people get covered:
Moving house
One of the most common uses for temporary van insurance. Whether you’re borrowing a friend’s van or hiring one privately, a short-term policy means you’re covered for the day without needing to adjust anyone’s annual policy.
Borrowing a van from a friend or family member
A standalone temporary policy in your name means the van owner’s no-claims bonus is fully protected. You get comprehensive cover independently, without being added to their annual policy.
Covering a new employee or driver
Need to get a new member of staff driving straight away? Temporary van insurance is a fast, flexible way to cover a new employee while a permanent policy is arranged.
Tradesperson or sole trader work
Got a one-off job that requires a van you don’t normally drive? Temporary van insurance with business use and carriage of own goods included means you’re covered for the work, not just the drive.
Van off the road for repairs
If your regular van is in the garage, temporary insurance lets you drive a borrowed or replacement vehicle without affecting your own annual policy.
Driving a newly purchased van home
Just bought a van and need to collect it? A temporary policy covers you immediately while you arrange your permanent annual cover.
Covering a gap between annual policies
If your van insurance has lapsed or you’re switching providers, short-term cover ensures you’re never left uninsured during the gap.
Transporting large items
Picking up furniture, sporting equipment or materials that won’t fit in a car? Temporary van insurance covers you for the trip without the cost of an annual policy.
What is temporary van insurance?
Temporary van insurance — also called short-term van insurance — is a fully comprehensive motor insurance policy covering a van 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 hold. This means the owner’s no-claims bonus is protected if someone else borrows the van, and your own no-claims bonus is unaffected if you need to make a claim.
Temporary van insurance is particularly useful for business owners and tradespeople who need occasional short-term cover for a van they don’t use every day — without the expense and commitment of an annual commercial vehicle policy.
Please note: carriage of goods for hire and reward — such as courier or delivery work — is not included on this policy and requires separate specialist cover.
What other types of temporary insurance does insurd offer?
Temporary van insurance is just one of the short-term policies we arrange. If you need short-term cover for a different vehicle type, insurd arranges the following:
- Temporary car insurance — fully comprehensive short-term cover for cars from 1 hour to 28 days.
- 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.
- Impounded vehicle insurance – specialist 30-day cover to release your vehicle from a police compound, for cars, vans and more.
If you need longer-term cover, insurd also arranges annual van insurance.
Am I eligible for temporary van insurance?
The eligibility criteria for temporary van insurance is set by the underwriting provider. Please check these carefully before starting your quote.
Driver eligibility
- You must hold a full UK driving licence (EU licences also accepted)
- You must be aged 21 to 74
- You must have the permission of the vehicle owner to drive the van
Vehicle eligibility
- The van must be registered in the UK
- Maximum vehicle value £65,000
- The van must have a valid MOT
- The van must not be declared SORN
- Not a hire or rental vehicle
- Not imported or left-hand drive
How much does temporary van insurance cost?
The cost of temporary van insurance varies depending on the duration of cover, your personal details, driving history, and the van you’re insuring. Van insurance is typically priced differently to car insurance, reflecting the different risk profile of vans — particularly when business use is involved.
Factors that affect the price include:
- Your age — drivers must be aged 21 to 74
- Your driving history and any penalty points on your licence
- The make, model and value of the van (maximum value £65,000)
- The duration of cover — from 1 hour to 28 days
- Whether you need business use included
The most accurate way to find out your price is to complete a quote through the tool above. A quote takes under 2 minutes and your documents are delivered immediately after payment.
* Pricing is calculated dynamically at the time of quote. Enter your reg above for an accurate figure.
How to get temporary van insurance through insurd
Step 1 — Enter your reg and get a quote: Use the quote tool above. Enter the registration number of the van 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, pay securely online, and your policy documents are emailed to you immediately.
Step 3 — Get driving: Your cover starts at the time you selected. Keep your policy documents accessible while driving. Cover ends automatically at the specified time — no renewals or cancellations needed.
Temporary van insurance frequently asked questions
What is temporary van insurance?
Temporary van insurance — also called short-term van insurance — is a fully comprehensive policy covering a van for between 1 hour and 28 days. It is a standalone policy separate from any existing annual insurance, arranged through insurd and underwritten via GoShorty. Business use and carriage of own goods are included as standard.
Can I get temporary van insurance for 1 day?
Yes. One-day van insurance is one of the most popular durations — ideal for moving house, a one-off job, or borrowing a van for the day. Cover can start at any time you choose and ends automatically after your chosen duration.
Does temporary van insurance cover business use?
Yes. Unlike some short-term policies, GoShorty's temporary van insurance includes business use and carriage of own goods as standard. This makes it particularly useful for tradespeople, sole traders and small business owners who need short-term cover for work purposes. Please note: carriage of goods for hire and reward — such as courier or delivery work — requires separate specialist cover.
Can I insure a van I don't own?
Yes. Temporary van 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 van owner's own insurance and no-claims bonus are fully protected — even if you need to make a claim.
Will a claim affect my no-claims bonus?
No. Because temporary van insurance is a standalone policy, any claim made under it will not affect the no-claims bonus on your existing annual policy. The vehicle owner's no-claims bonus is also unaffected.
What is the difference between temporary van insurance and courier insurance?
Temporary van insurance through GoShorty includes business use and carriage of own goods — ideal for tradespeople and sole traders. It does not cover carriage of goods for hire and reward, which is what courier insurance covers. If you are paid to transport other people's goods — food deliveries, parcels or similar — you will need specialist courier van insurance or hire and reward insurance. Please contact insurd for further details.
Can I get temporary van insurance for a Luton or box van?
GoShorty's temporary van scheme covers a range of van types. Enter your van's registration number in the quote tool above and GoShorty will confirm whether your specific vehicle is eligible based on its registered details.
Can I get temporary van 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 accurately — enter your details in the tool above to check your eligibility.
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. You can set your cover to start right away or at a future date and time.
Can I extend my temporary van insurance?
If you need cover for longer than originally planned, you can take out a new policy for the additional period. The maximum single policy duration is 28 days. If you need longer-term cover, insurd also arranges annual van insurance — visit our van insurance page for more details.
Is temporary van insurance the same as temporary car insurance?
They are similar but separate products. Temporary van insurance is specifically underwritten for vans and includes business use and carriage of own goods. Temporary car insurance covers private cars for social, domestic, commuting and Class 1 business use. The eligibility criteria also differ between the two products. If you need cover for a car rather than a van, please visit our temporary car insurance page.
Ready to get your van on the road?
Get temporary van 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 van insurance through GoShorty — FCA-regulated, fully comprehensive cover, documents delivered immediately after payment.
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