What is temporary car insurance?

If you are looking for a short-term policy, temporary car insurance might be the best option for you. 

In this insurance guide, we look at what temporary cover means, how it works, and the cost you could end up paying for temporary car insurance. 

Temporary car insurance 

Temporary car insurance offers flexible, short‑term cover that allows you to drive a car for a limited period of time.  

It is ideal if you are borrowing a vehicle, sharing driving duties, or learning to drive. 

The policy is completely standalone, meaning it sits separately from the car owner’s existing insurance agreement.  

If you need to make a claim, it won’t affect their policy or their no‑claims discount, giving both you and the owner peace of mind. 

Drivers can get temporary car insurance for just an hour or up to 30 days – which can also be extended if they need cover for a longer period (normally with a limit of 60 days). 

How does temporary car insurance work? 

Temporary car insurance is designed to give you fully comprehensive cover for a brief period, without changing the car’s existing insurance policy; however, there are some important things to remember before signing up to a policy. 

Once you have chosen your insurance provider, you will need to supply your personal details and then choose the time period you need temporary cover for. 

As it is a standalone policy, it will be in the driver’s name, not the vehicle owner’s name. 

Therefore, if an incident happens when the temporary driver is behind the wheel, the claim won’t impact the owner’s policy. 

However, it is important to remember that temporary cover still means that you will be fully covered for damage to the car when driving, or to other vehicles or property. 

Policies will vary due to a variety of factors, so it is worth checking the terms and conditions before proceeding. 

Also, there are usually eligibility rule for temporary car insurance – specifically around age, how long they have held a driving licence, or even the type of vehicle that is linked to the policy. 

Once it has been accepted by the insurance company, cover will often start immediately. 

• What is a cover note?
• Comprehensive car insurance explained

• One day car insurance – is it right for you?

Do I need temporary car insurance? 

Temporary car insurance is a great option if you need to use a vehicle for a short period of time, without having to be added to an annual policy. 

It should be noted that it should only be used when looking to borrow someone’s car for a few hours or days or need to share driving over a long road trip. 

You may not need to sign a temporary car insurance policy if you have a fully comprehensive insurance policy that allows you to driver other vehicles. 

Who is eligible for a temporary car insurance policy?  

To qualify for a temporary car insurance policy, both the driver and the vehicle must meet certain eligibility requirements.  

The driver must be permanently resident in the UK and hold a full, valid GB driving licence. 

This licence must have been held for at least six months, or three months if the driver is over the age of 25.  

The driver also needs the vehicle owner’s permission to drive the car and must agree to insure it. 

In terms of driving history, the driver must have had no more than one fault claim in the past 12 months, no more than nine penalty points, and no disqualifications in the same period.  

There must also be no serious driving offences in the past three years under codes such as DR, CD, DD, UT or DG, and no offences in the last six months under codes IN or CU80.  

The driver must not have any unspent criminal convictions other than driving offences and must never have been refused insurance or had a policy cancelled. 

The vehicle itself must also meet strict criteria. It must be registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man, have a market value of less than £75,000, and have no more than eight seats in total.  

The car must not be used for hire and reward, be a rental vehicle, or be leased on an agreement lasting 12 months or less. It must not be seized, held in a police compound, or imported outside a manufacturer’s official distribution system. 

In addition, the vehicle must not have engine modifications, body kits, or alloy wheels unless these were fitted by the manufacturer, offered as optional extras, or installed for a disabled driver or passenger.  

Finally, the vehicle must not be a heavy goods vehicle and must have a gross vehicle weight of no more than 3.5 tonnes. 

Temporary car insurance cost 

When it comes to temporary car insurance, the cost varies depending on your individual circumstances and the vehicle you want to insure.  

Factors such as where you live, how long you need cover for, the type of car you drive, and your driving history can all influence the price you pay. 

As a guide, hourly cover typically starts at around £15.72 for one hour, rising to about £20.99 for four hours.  

Daily cover starts from roughly £23.99 for one day, with prices increasing to around £44.99 for four days.  

Weekly policies are generally more cost‑effective for longer periods, beginning at approximately £56.99 for one week and increasing to around £108.99 for four weeks.  

On average, save up to 66% when you choose a 7-day policy vs 7 x 1-day policies^. 

Purchase temporary car insurance today. 

^{^10% of customers purchasing an RAC Temporary Car Insurance policy direct from dayinsure.com between 01/05/25 and 31/10/25, paid the above prices for the corresponding durations. This is based on new customer's base premium when buying cover and excludes optional extras. Premium depends on individual circumstances and the level of cover chosen.}