What is hourly car insurance?
Hourly car insurance is a type of temporary car insurance that lets you get insured to drive a vehicle for a short, flexible period, typically starting from just one hour and extending up to 24 hours or more.
Unlike standard annual car insurance policies, hourly insurance is designed for occasional or short-term driving, meaning you only pay for the time you need cover.
We’ve partnered with Dayinsure, specialists in short-term car cover, to give you comprehensive cover that offers peace of mind for as long as you need it.
One hour of cover, plenty of reasons to use it
Borrow a friend or family member’s car
Need to run an errand or borrow a car for a short trip? Get your own policy without affecting the owner’s cover.
Test drive a car before you buy
Take a car out with confidence before committing to a longer insurance policy.
Drive a newly purchased car home
Just bought a car? Get pay per hour insurance so you can drive it home legally.
Share the driving on a long trip
Split the trip safely by adding your own temporary cover.
Move a car between locations
Ideal for relocating a vehicle without setting up an annual policy.
Why choose RAC Hourly Temporary Car Insurance?
Flexible – Need cover for an hour or two? Choose what works for you and extend anytime.1
Complete protection – Enjoy comprehensive cover for everyday trips or business use.2
Quick to get started – Get on-demand cover or book your policy in advance.
Worry-free claims – Claims won’t impact the owner’s No Claims Discount.*
How much does 1 hour car insurance cost?
Hourly car insurance prices vary, but you only pay for the time you need, making it a flexible alternative to paying for a full day or annual policy.
Prices from^
Hourly car insurance
1 hour – £14.99
2 hour – £16.99
3 hour – £18.99
4 hour – £20.99
Prices from^
Daily car insurance
1 day – £23.99
2 days – £31.99
3 days – £38.99
4 days – £44.99
Prices from^
Weekly car insurance
1 week – £56.99
2 weeks – £81.99
3 weeks – £100.99
4 weeks – £141.99
^10% of customers purchasing an RAC Temporary Car Insurance policy direct from dayinsure.com between 01/01/26 and 30/06/26, 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.
Need insurance for longer? Extend your coverage by purchasing extra cover by the hour or choose a day or week of insurance cover.
Is hourly car insurance cheaper than a daily policy?
If you only need cover for a short trip, hourly insurance can be more cost-effective than paying for a full day’s cover. However, it’s usually expected that daily car insurance is cheaper per hour than hourly cover.
Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot
We partner with Dayinsure to bring you short‑term cover. Here’s what drivers think of their service.
What does hourly car insurance cover?
What's covered
Damage to your vehicle and others.
Third-party injury or property damage.
Theft, fire and accidental damage.
No impact on the owner’s No Claims Discount.*
Personal and some business use.1
Depending on your policy, cover can include everyday driving needs – from errands to short-term work use.
What's not covered
Unattended / keys in ignition – Loss or damage if the vehicle was left unattended with the engine running or the keys in the ignition.
Wear and tear – Electrical and mechanical breakdown or gradual deterioration.
Loss of value following a repair.
Confiscation, requisition, or destruction – By or under order of any government, public or local authority.
Courtesy car.
Damage to tyres by braking or by punctures, cuts or bursts.
Driving the car without a valid, full GB driving licence.
Product information is based on policies underwritten by Aviva. Dayinsure also offer policies with Mulsanne, and cover may differ. Please ensure cover levels meet your needs – read the full policy requirements.
Who can get hourly temporary car insurance cover?
As the driver, you must
have a current permanent address in the UK
hold a current, valid, full GB driving licence and have done so for at least 6 months (3 months if aged over 25)
have a current permanent address
have permission from the vehicle owner to drive it and you’ve agreed to insure it
have had no more than 1 fault claim in the last 12 months
have had no driving offences in the last 3 years starting with the code DR, CD, DD, UT or DG
have had no more than 9 penalty points and no disqualifications in the last 12 months
have had no driving offences in the last 6 months starting with the code IN or CU80
not have any unspent criminal convictions (other than driving offences)
have never been refused insurance or had a policy cancelled.
Your vehicle must
be registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man
have a current market value of less than £75,000
have no more than 8 seats in total
not be a hire & reward or rental vehicle
not be a seized vehicle or in a police compound
not have any engine modifications, body kits or alloy wheels – unless they were carried out for a disabled driver or passenger, or they were fitted at manufacture or were manufacturer optional extras
not be imported from another country through channels other than the maker’s official distribution system
not be a heavy goods vehicle (HGV)
not be over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW).
How does hourly temporary car insurance work?
Step 1
Enter your details online
- How long you need cover (from one hour up to several weeks)
- Your personal details (name, address, age)
- The car details (registration number)
Step 2
Get a quote and choose cover
- You’ll be shown a price
- Select the exact duration (one or several days)
- Check what’s included (comprehensive cover, driving other cars, etc.)
Step 3
Buy and get insured instantly
- Pay online
- Cover usually starts immediately (or at a time you choose)
- You receive confirmation by email, no paperwork needed
Optional extras for hourly car insurance
RAC Breakdown Cover
Get complete peace of mind® with our 5 Star Defatqo breakdown cover. We'll come out to you if you run into any complications on your short-term trip.
European car insurance cover
Planning a short road trip in Europe? You can get car insurance that covers travel in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
Excess protection
Reimbursement for any excess charges, if you need to make a claim during your short-term trip with our excess protection.
What our expert says
Insurance Expert
"Hourly car insurance is ideal when you only need to borrow a car for a few hours, whether that's collecting furniture, sharing the driving on a long journey, or running an errand. It gives you comprehensive cover for the exact time you need. That means you can get on the road quickly without paying for a full-day policy."
Need specialist insurance?
At the RAC, we provide car insurance tailored to your needs – from learner drivers to temporary – so you can drive with confidence and complete peace of mind®.
Hourly car insurance FAQs
Yes, you can get car insurance for 1 hour with flexible temporary cover. RAC Temporary Car Insurance is designed for short-term use, offering cover from one hour up to 30 days, so hourly car insurance is exactly what it’s built for.
This type of car insurance by the hour is useful in many situations, such as borrowing a car, test driving a vehicle, driving a new purchase home, or sharing a long journey.
Whether you need 1-hour car insurance, 2-hour car insurance, or 24-hour car insurance, it provides quick, convenient cover without committing to an annual policy.
Yes. This type of insurance lets you pay per hour meaning if you need extra cover, you can extend by purchasing more insurance.
Yes, you can insure someone else’s car for a day with temporary insurance, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Even if the car already has insurance, that does not mean you are covered to drive it. You need your own policy in place.
With RAC Temporary Car Insurance, you can arrange car insurance by the hour quickly and choose your exact start and end time. Your cover is separate from the owner’s annual policy, helping protect their no claims bonus. This type of short-term cover is ideal for sharing a journey, test driving a car, if you need emergency insurance, or driving a new purchase home.
Hourly car insurance is designed for drivers who only need a vehicle for a short period of time. Instead of paying for a full day's cover, you can choose the exact duration you need, starting from just one hour.
Hourly insurance may be the better option when you:
- Need to collect furniture or large items.
- Want to test drive a car before buying.
- Are borrowing a friend's car for a quick trip.
- Need someone else to share part of a longer journey.
- Have an unexpected need to drive at short notice.
If you expect to use the vehicle for most of the day, daily car insurance may offer better value. However, for short journeys and occasional driving, hourly cover provides flexibility without committing to a longer policy.
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