Test Drive Car Insurance

Short term cover from 1 hour - 30 days

Existing customer? Find out how to get in touch or amend your policy

Test Drive Insurance

RAC Test Drive Insurance offers short term cover for you to test drive a vehicle, and to drive it away from a forecourt or seller if you choose to buy it. If you’re selling privately, a potential buyer could insure themselves to test drive your vehicle.

If you’ve purchased a car from a ‘click and collect’ website and have a warranty period to try it out before you decide to keep it, our policy will cover that too. So, you don’t have to take out an annual policy immediately.

Getting a quote is quick and easy, and you can buy cover online, from 1 hour up to 30 days.

Flexible cover when you need it

Quick & easy

Buy online 24/7 and get cover in 15 minutes.

Refund for unused cover

We’ll refund any days you don’t use, and we don’t charge a cancellation fee either^*.

Comprehensive cover

From 1 hour up to 30 days.

Get a quote

Why do I need test drive insurance?

Buying a car is a big financial decision, and a test drive could help you decide whether a car is right for you. If you’re buying a new car privately, you need to make sure you’re insured to take it out for a test drive. That’s where RAC Test Drive Insurance comes in. It’s a flexible, short-term policy that covers you for as little as an hour. Not only could it save you money, any claim made won’t impact the owner’s no claims discount.

What's covered by test drive insurance?

What's covered

Loss, theft, fire or vandalism
Legal liability if another person is injured or dies, or their property’s damaged
Damage after an accident
New car replacement
Accident recovery and an approved repair service
Legal expenses cover up to £100,000
Read our full policy requirements here

What's optional

+ RAC Breakdown Cover
RAC breakdown assistance with Onward Travel options
+ European car insurance cover
Comprehensive cover while you’re on the road in the EU
+ Excess Protection
So you're not out of pocket if you need to make a claim

Read more about our optional cover.

Other short-term insurance

Temporary car insurance

If you need to borrow a car and aren’t covered by an existing policy, temporary car insurance covers you for 1 hour to up 30 days

Find out more

Temporary business car insurance

If you need to travel for business but aren’t covered on your annual policy, you can take out temporary business car insurance from 1 hour to 30 days

Find out more

Temporary van insurance

If you need to borrow a van to move house or for your business, temporary van insurance provides flexible cover

Find out more

Other flexible car insurance policies include Black Box Car Insurance and Learner Driver Insurance.

Frequently asked questions about test drive insurance

Q. How do I make a claim or amend my policy?

Full details are on our Temporary Car Insurance existing customer page.

Q. What is test drive insurance?

Test drive insurance is a short-term policy that covers you to take a car that you don't own out for a test drive. Alternatively, it can be used to insure people to test drive your car if you’re selling privately.

Q. How long does test drive insurance last?

A test drive insurance policy from the RAC can be for as little as an hour up to a maximum of 30 days.

Q. Can I insure myself to test drive a motorhome or campervan?

Yes, you can upgrade to cover a motorhome or campervan when you get a quote.

Q. Why take a test drive?

Buying a new car can be a big investment. So you want to be certain you're making the right choice. Taking a test drive is an important step in this process. It's your chance to check whether everything is in working order, see the car has the space and features you're after and most importantly, see how it performs out on the open road.

When taking a test drive, don't forget to take your time and consider the following points: space and comfort for the whole family, boot size, visibility through the back and front windscreen, seat position and prominence and location of controls.

Q. Can I telephone for a quote or to purchase RAC Test Drive Insurance?

No, our policies are only available to buy online.

Q. How much do RAC Test Drive Insurance policies cost?

Prices depend on the make/model of vehicle, your address, age and occupation, policy duration and payment method. Please get a quote online – there’s no need to proceed if you don’t want to.

Q. What level of test drive insurance cover is provided?

Our insurance is fully comprehensive.

Q. How soon can cover commence?

15 minutes after purchase or later if required.

Q. How and when will I receive my documents?

Your documents, including the insurance certificate, are available to download instantly after payment and via the confirmation email sent after purchase.

Q. Who underwrites the policy?

RAC Test Drive Insurance is provided by Dayinsure, whose policies are underwritten by Aviva, the UK’s largest insurer.

Q. Are there any vehicles you won’t insure for a test drive?

We’re unable to insure vehicles worth £75,000 or above, and certain makes and models are also excluded, such as performance or exotic vehicles. When you enter the vehicle registration number to get a quote, you’ll be advised if we can provide cover or not.

Q. Can I test drive a range of different vehicles on one policy?

No. You’ll only be covered to drive the vehicle you specified when you got your quote. You’ll need to buy a separate test drive insurance policy for each car you want to test drive.

Q. If I want to test drive the same vehicle the following day, will my policy cover me?

Yes, providing the second test drive falls within the time/date of covered by your policy. Outside of this you would need to purchase a second policy.

Q. Will my policy appear on the Motor Insurance Database (MID)?

We guarantee to update the Motor Insurance Database (MID) every 7 days and in some cases more often, but we always recommend having a copy of your Insurance Certificate with you. You can drive the vehicle legally between the dates and times shown on the certificate of motor insurance.

Q. Can I get a full refund if I have purchased a policy but decide not to test drive the vehicle?

You’re entitled to cancel your policy at any time. Provided there have been no claims or incidents likely to give rise to a claim, you’ll be entitled to a refund. If you choose to cancel this policy after cover has commenced, we’ll recalculate your premium based upon the date your policy commenced until the date your policy cancelled and refund you the difference. Please note the cost of a short-term policy will be proportionally greater than a longer-term policy and therefore you may receive a smaller refund than expected. Cover for days or part days which have already commenced aren’t refundable.

More information