Compare temporary car insurance quotes

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Why compare car insurance

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Why choose temporary car insurance?

Temporary insurance is designed to be flexible and convenient. It’s perfect for situations such as:

  • Borrowing a friend’s or family member’s car

  • Sharing driving on a road trip or holiday

  • Using a car while yours is in for repair

  • Covering a new car before arranging annual insurance

  • Allowing additional drivers on your vehicle for a short period

It gives you all the legal protection you need without affecting the no-claims discount of the main policyholder.

What to consider before choosing temporary insurance

Think carefully about how long you need cover for. If you’re borrowing a car for a single day, short-term insurance can be ideal, but if you need cover for several months, it might be more cost-effective to explore an annual policy.

You should also check what’s included. Most temporary insurance policies are comprehensive, but it’s worth confirming that extras such as breakdown cover or European use are available if you need them.

Types of temporary car insurance

This is the minimum legal requirement. It covers liability for injury or damage to other people and property caused by your vehicle.

In addition to third-party coverage, TPFT insurance also covers your vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive insurance covers you if you damage your car, somebody else’s car or if you injure somebody in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. It also covers your vehicle if it’s damaged by fire or stolen.

Telematics insurance involves the use of a black box device installed in your vehicle or a smartphone app to monitor your driving behaviour.

PAYG insurance allows you to pay for coverage only when you’re using your vehicle. It’s often used by occasional drivers and can be a cost-effective option.

Multi-car insurance allows you to cover multiple vehicles and drivers under a single policy.

Temporary car insurance provides coverage for a short duration, typically from one day up to a few months.

If you use your vehicle for business purposes, you may need commercial car insurance.

Factors that affect temporary car insurance

Length of cover

The number of hours or days you need will impact cost.

Driver profile

Your age, experience, and driving history all play a role.

Car type

High-value or performance cars are usually more expensive to insure short term.

Purpose of use

Business use may carry higher premiums than social or leisure driving.

Location

Where the car is kept and driven affects the level of risk.

Additional drivers

Adding more people to the policy can increase costs.

Get flexible cover fast — compare temporary car insurance today

Sometimes you don’t need a full annual policy — just cover for a few hours, days, or weeks. Temporary car insurance is the ideal solution, giving you short-term protection that fits around your plans without tying you into a long contract.
At MoneySpider, we make it simple to compare temporary car insurance quotes from trusted providers, so you can get the cover you need quickly, securely, and at a price that suits your situation.

Advice for getting the best deal

Temporary car insurance is all about convenience, but you can still make sure you’re getting good value. Compare multiple quotes to find the right balance of cover and cost.

Make sure the driver meets the insurer’s eligibility criteria (for example, many providers only cover drivers aged 18–75 with a full UK licence). Finally, always double-check the start and end dates of your cover so you know you’re legally insured at all times.

You can often save by keeping your car in a secure garage, fitting advanced security devices, and limiting your mileage if it isn’t your main vehicle. Comparing quotes annually also ensures you continue to get the right level of cover at a competitive rate.

FAQ

Need more help?

Policies can range from as little as one hour to several weeks or even a few months.
No. A separate temporary policy won’t impact the main policyholder’s no-claims discount.
Some policies include European cover, but not all. Check the terms before you travel.
Eligibility varies by provider, but most require drivers to be at least 18 with a full UK licence.
Most providers offer comprehensive cover as standard, but always confirm the details before purchasing.

Helpful guides & articles

[1] *51% of consumers could save £518.14 on their Car Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next four cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd’s insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from June 2025 data. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances and how you selected your current insurance supplier.
[2] Any customer who creates an account with MoneySpider can gain access to Essential Rewards, but only those who take out a policy for a qualifying product automatically gain access to Premium Rewards. Please refer to our Rewards T&Cs and Privacy Policy.