Frequently Asked Questions

Will a short term insurance policy cost more than long term cover?

As with any insurance policy, your driving history will be a major factor when insurance companies determine the cost of your coverage. Age, location, driving history and type of vehicle to be covered all will be determining factors. Typically, even with a good driving record going for you, short-term car insurance is more expensive per day than a long term policy so it should be purchased only for those situations requiring transportation needs for one day to six months cover. f you need insurance cover for a longer period of time, you may find it cheaper to buy a full 12 month policy even if this is a longer period than you need it for.

Where Can I Buy Short Term Car Insurance?

If you are looking for a 12 month policy insurance providers are available in the thousands but low cost short term insurance is only available online from a few specialist providers. This is because, if you go to an insurance broker, he or she will have as much work to do in arranging the policy for you as a full 12 month policy would need, and perhaps even more, so you would be either turned down or charged accordingly. Online providers are fully automated so all these costs are avoided and they are able to provide you with a policy at a very competitive price.

Is There a Minimum or Maximum Time Period Requirement?

Short-term vehicle insurance can be purchased for one day right up to 8 months and it is even possible to buy month to month policies at a fixed rate if you are unsure how long you will need the policy for. If your insurance need is six months or more, the premium might be a cheaper if you opt for a full year's cover instead and shop around using a good price comparison site.

Can Short Term Car Insurance Be Purchased For Any Vehicle?

Just about any roadworthy cars, vans, motor homes, classic cars, campers or classic vehicles can usually covered but there is usually a limitation on the value of the vehicle (cars worth over £50,000 or less than £1,500 cannot normally be covered) nor can, typically, vehicles with more than seven seats.

Can anyone buy short term cover?

Like any insurer, a short term insurance company may turn down applicants with particularly poor driving records but usually a few penalty points are OK. There is an age limit; most companies offering very short (1 to 28 days) policies prefer drivers to be over 24 (tempcover.com have a scheme for drivers over 18) with a maximum age of 75 but month to month (ie between 1 and 8 months) policies from ecarinsurance.co.uk are much more flexible and will take applicants from 17 upwards provided that they have a full driving licence.

Can I name multiple drivers or even multiple cars on a short term policy?

Usually; yes, and yes.

I am a learner driver. Can I get a short term policy for taking my driving test?

Usually no. Policies are only available to applicants with full driving licences. The exception is a policy from tempcover.com which can be taken out by learners, subject to conditions.

My brother has a foreign driving licence. Will it be acceptable?

UK residents who hold full licences issued in a EEC country are normally acceptable. Dayinsure.com can also accept applications from people from Australia and New Zealand who hold licences issued in those countries, too.

Can short term car insurance be used for taxing a car?

Once the details of the policy have appeared on the Motor Insurer's Database (MID) it should be possible to tax a car online or by telephone. Downloaded policies should now be accepted by post office staff too; this is clearly stated on VO5 documents. Aviva state that their policies cannot be used in this way although it is difficult to see what legal justification can be given for this.

Can short term car insurance be used to recover an impounded car?

A 1-28 day policy cannot be used in this way. We have heard that the month-by-month policy issued by ecarinsurance.co.uk is normally acceptable but this is up to the discretion of the staff at the pounds so it cannot be guaranteed.