Most car insurance policies in the UK are for 12 months. However, temporary car insurance is a type of car insurance that only lasts for a more limited period. This guide explains how temporary cover works, how long it lasts, how much it costs, and whether you can get it with a foreign licence.
What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance is short-term cover. It can last from a few hours to a few weeks, and lets you drive a car in the UK for a set period.
People often use temporary insurance when they:
- Test-drive a car
- Buy a new car (called drive away insurance)
- Borrow a friend’s car
- Share driving on a long trip
- Drive during a short visit to the UK
- Need cover while waiting for a new full policy
When the policy ends, your cover stops straight away. You don’t need to cancel it.
How does temporary car insurance work?
Temporary insurance works in a similar way to a regular policy. The process usually looks like this:
- Choose the car you want to drive
- Select the length of cover
- Pay upfront for the full period
- Get your documents
- Drive until the cover ends
Many temporary policies are fully comprehensive, but some offer fewer extras. For example, breakdown cover is not always included.
Temporary insurance does not build a No Claims Discount.
How long does temporary insurance last?
The length of temporary cover depends on the insurer. Common options include:
- 1 day
- 1 weekend
- 1 week
- 1 month
- Up to 28–30 days
A few insurers offer up to 3 months, but this is less common.
Temporary policies usually do not last longer than 30–90 days. If you need 6 months or more, you will normally need a full annual policy. You can cancel early if your plans change.
How much does temporary car insurance cost?
Temporary insurance often costs more per day than a normal 12-month policy. This is because short-term driving is seen as a higher risk.
The price depends on:
- Your age
- Your driving history
- Your licence type
- The car
- Where you will drive
- The length of cover
You must pay the full cost upfront. Most temporary insurers do not give refunds if you stop driving early. Find out more about what makes UK car insurance expensive.
Can international drivers get temporary car insurance in the UK?
Sometimes yes, but it can be difficult. Many temporary insurers only accept:
- Full UK licences
- EU licences
- Licences from a small number of other countries
If your licence is from outside the EU, you may find it hard to get temporary cover. This is often because insurers cannot check your driving history.
If you have lived in the UK for more than 12 months, your foreign licence may no longer be valid. You may need to exchange your international licence for a British one before you can get temporary insurance.
Why can’t I get temporary car insurance?
There are several reasons why temporary cover may not be available.
Common reasons include:
- Your licence is not accepted
- You are too young
- The car is too old, too new, or too high in value
- Your address cannot be verified
- You have recent claims or driving offences
- Your job is not covered
- The car has a complex insurance history
Like many financial services, temporary insurance providers will look at many factors together and decide if they can provide cover.
Can you get temporary insurance on an uninsured car?
In many cases, yes. Temporary car insurance is separate from the car’s main policy. This means a car can be:
- Uninsured
- Already insured by someone else
Your temporary policy will cover you while you drive. However, the car must:
- Have a valid MOT
- Be taxed
- Meet the insurer’s conditions
- Be driven with the owner’s permission
If a car is SORN or kept off the road, you cannot get temporary insurance.
Need an annual car insurance policy in the UK?
We don’t offer temporary insurance right now, but if you’ve moved to the UK and need reliable cover, we’re here for you. We accept driving history from anywhere, which means you could get a bigger discount.
Get a quote in minutes and see what you could save.
