Best Short Term Car Insurance
UK & Northern Ireland
Compare 8 leading providers of temporary car insurance. Whether you need cover for an hour, a day, or up to 28 days, find flexible insurance from just £15/hour across the UK and Northern Ireland. For comprehensive coverage options, see our main temporary car insurance Northern Ireland page.
All prices indicative and vary based on age, driving history, vehicle, and location
What is Short Term Car Insurance?
Short term car insurance (also known as temporary car insurance) provides fully comprehensive cover for periods ranging from one hour up to 28 days. Unlike annual policies, you only pay for the exact time you need cover, making it ideal for borrowing a car, test drives, or covering additional drivers for short periods.
This type of insurance is particularly popular in the UK and Northern Ireland for situations where traditional annual insurance isn’t suitable or cost-effective. Whether you need hourly car insurance, one day cover, or learner driver insurance in Northern Ireland, all providers listed below are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Top 8 Short Term Insurance Providers
Independent comparison of leading UK & NI temporary car insurance providers
GoShorty
GoShorty is a specialist comparison platform for temporary car insurance, allowing you to compare quotes from multiple underwriters in one search. Rather than being an insurer themselves, GoShorty searches their panel of providers to help you find competitive rates quickly and efficiently.
What sets GoShorty apart is their innovative Pay As You Go (PAYG) Hire and Reward Insurance product. If you work in courier services or are thinking about getting into it, you’ll need a policy which provides cover allowing the carriage of goods for hire and reward. Regular insurance isn’t suitable for courier work – instead, you need specialized cover for delivering goods, making it a necessity for anyone who earns money this way. Learn more about Pay As You Go Hire and Reward Insurance.
Key Features
Veygo
Veygo is owned by Admiral Group, one of the UK’s most established insurance companies. They specialize in flexible, short-term cover and are particularly well-known for catering to younger and learner drivers. Veygo accepts drivers from age 17, making them one of the most accessible options for new drivers.
Key Features
Veygo is particularly suitable for young drivers, learner drivers practicing in a parent’s or friend’s car, and anyone needing flexible hourly cover. Their app-based platform makes getting a quote and activating cover straightforward and quick. If you’re specifically looking for test drive insurance in Northern Ireland, Veygo’s hourly options are particularly convenient.
Tempcover is one of the longest-established providers of temporary car insurance in the UK, having operated since 1998. With over 25 years of experience in this specialized market, they offer comprehensive short-term cover with a straightforward, no-nonsense approach.
Key Features
Dayinsure specializes specifically in 24-hour temporary car insurance, making them an ideal choice for anyone needing exactly one day’s cover. Their focus on daily insurance means their platform and processes are optimized for quick, straightforward day cover.
Key Features
Briefly
Briefly focuses on providing fast, straightforward temporary car insurance with minimal fuss. Their streamlined platform is designed for users who need quick cover without unnecessary complexity, making them particularly suitable for last-minute insurance needs.
Key Features
Aviva
Aviva is one of the UK’s largest and most recognized insurance companies with a history dating back over 300 years. While they may not always offer the lowest prices for short-term cover, their established reputation, financial strength, and comprehensive customer service infrastructure may appeal to those who prioritize brand trust and reliability.
Key Features
Zixty
Zixty offers an innovative approach to temporary car insurance with their pay-per-mile pricing model. While they provide flexible short-term cover, their unique pricing structure means you pay a base rate plus a cost per mile driven, which may be cost-effective for very limited or low-mileage usage.
Key Features
Cuvva
Cuvva is a fully app-based temporary car insurance provider known for their modern, technology-focused approach. Their platform allows users to get instant quotes and activate cover directly from their smartphone, making them particularly popular with younger, tech-savvy drivers who prefer managing everything through a mobile app.
Key Features
How to Choose the Right Provider
When comparing short term car insurance providers, consider the following factors to find the most suitable option for your specific circumstances:
- Price: Compare quotes from multiple providers as prices can vary significantly based on your age, driving history, and the vehicle you’re insuring.
- Minimum Age Requirements: Providers have different minimum ages (17-21 years). Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Duration Flexibility: Some providers excel at hourly cover while others focus on daily or longer periods. Choose based on your needs.
- Cover Type: Most offer comprehensive cover as standard, but check what’s included and excluded in the policy. Specialist cover like hire and reward insurance or impounded car insurance may have different requirements.
- Quote Speed: If you need cover urgently, consider providers known for quick quotes and instant activation.
- User Experience: App-based providers like Veygo and Cuvva may appeal to those comfortable with mobile technology.
Benefits of Short Term Insurance
Short term car insurance offers several advantages over traditional annual policies in specific situations:
- Cost-Effective for Occasional Use: Pay only for the exact time you need cover, rather than a full year’s premium. This is particularly beneficial for students needing temporary car insurance during holidays.
- Protects Others’ No Claims Bonus: When borrowing someone else’s car, temporary insurance on your own policy means any claims won’t affect the vehicle owner’s NCB.
- Separate from Main Policy: Claims on temporary insurance don’t typically affect your main annual car insurance policy.
- Quick to Arrange: Most providers offer instant quotes and immediate cover activation.
- Flexible Duration: Cover available from just one hour up to 28 days, allowing precise coverage for your needs. Learn more about adding a driver for a week.
- Comprehensive Cover: Most temporary policies offer fully comprehensive insurance as standard.
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Compare Quotes NowFrequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest short term car insurance?
The cheapest short term car insurance varies significantly based on individual circumstances including your age, driving history, the vehicle you’re insuring, and your location. Veygo and Cuvva often offer competitive hourly rates from around £15-£20, while daily cover from providers like Briefly and Tempcover may start from approximately £18-£25. We recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers to find the best price for your specific situation.
Which provider is best for young or learner drivers?
Veygo is often considered the best option for young and learner drivers as they accept applicants from age 17 (the lowest minimum age in the market) and specialize in cover for this demographic. Their Learner Plus product also allows learner drivers to build their own No Claims Bonus while practicing. However, young drivers should compare multiple providers as prices can vary considerably based on individual circumstances.
How quickly can I get short term car insurance?
Most providers listed offer instant quotes and can activate cover immediately upon approval and payment. The quote process typically takes under 2 minutes to complete. Providers like Veygo, Cuvva, Briefly, and Dayinsure are particularly known for fast processing. However, approval is subject to meeting the provider’s underwriting criteria, and in some cases additional checks may be required which could delay activation.
Is short term insurance fully comprehensive?
Most providers listed offer fully comprehensive cover as standard, which typically includes damage to the vehicle you’re driving, damage to other vehicles and property, and injury to other people. However, the specific terms, conditions, and exclusions vary by provider and policy. You should always review the policy details carefully before purchasing to ensure the cover meets your needs and that you understand what is and isn’t included.
Will short term insurance affect my main car insurance policy?
Short term insurance is a separate policy and typically does not directly affect your main annual car insurance or No Claims Bonus, provided you don’t make a claim on the temporary policy. However, you should be aware that any accidents or claims (even on a temporary policy) should be disclosed to your main insurer when renewing your annual policy, as this could potentially affect your premium.
Can I get short term insurance for Northern Ireland?
Yes, all providers listed offer cover for drivers in Northern Ireland. Short term car insurance works the same way in Northern Ireland as it does in the rest of the UK. When getting a quote, you’ll need to provide your Northern Ireland address and the policy will be valid for driving throughout the UK. We also offer specialized pages for temporary van insurance in Northern Ireland and one day insurance for your driving test.
What’s the maximum duration for short term car insurance?
Most providers offer short term cover up to 28 days, while some (like Veygo) offer up to 30 days. If you need cover for longer than 28-30 days, you may need to either take out a separate short-term policy or consider a temporary annual policy which can sometimes be arranged for periods of a few months.
Temporary Car Insurance Providers
Oneclickinsure.co.uk have partnered with GoShorty to help you obtain Temporary Car Insurance.
GoShorty is a trading style of Complex to Clear Group Limited, registered in England and Wales and
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 751221).
Company Registration Number 05044963. Data Protection Registration ZA456686.