This company offers online short term insurance plans for cars and vans for periods ranging from one to 28 days and are based based in Fleet, Hampshire.

Royal & Sun Alliance purchased their parent company Fyfe Group in 2007. Royal & Sun Alliance formed in 1996 with the merger of Sun Alliance and Royal Insurance. The company underwrites insurance in 130 countries with more than 20 million customers.

They are is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) with registration number: 304419 and registered in England & Wales (registration number: 04434745).

What they offer

Prospective customers can find two basic types of vehicle cover at the their website:

• Car insurance – Immediate and comprehensive temporary insurance for cars with values of more than £1,000. You can use this cover for test drives, drive away or when borrowing another person's car. You also have the option of adding additional drivers and vehicles.
• Van insurance – Immediate and comprehensive temporary van cover that allows you to transport passengers and goods for personal reasons. Cover lasts from one day to a full month.

They do not offer cover for motor bikes or motor homes.

Acceptance policy

A nice feature on their website is that it clearly outlines the acceptance policy for drivers and vehicles. Short term cover is available for drivers that meet these criteria:

• They must be between 18 to 75 years of age.
• They must have held a valid UK driving license for at least six months prior to cover. Alternatively, they must have held a European Union license for at least 12 months prior or hold a Provisional driving licence.
• They must not have a driving disqualification over the last two years.
• They must not have in excess of seven penalty points on their licence over the last two years.
• They must not have made more than two fault claims in the last three years.

Cars and vans qualify for temporary cover by meeting the following criteria:

• Vehicles registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.
• Vehicles are not modified.
• Vehicles must not have more than eight seats.
• Vehicles must not be used to transport goods or passengers for hire or reward.
• Vehicles must have a market value of at least £1,000.

Customers can quickly obtain insurance online for drive away or test drives and if they need to make a claim, it does not affect their no-claims bonus status. The site also offers pay as you go services so that customers can control costs effectively. Tempcover offers PAYG insurance cover designed specifically for budget-minded customers and it is available for vehicles worth at least £1,500.

iPhone and Android apps

The website offers a convenient service for iOS and Android smartphone users. The free apps are available for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch and for any smartphone with an Android operating system.

The apps allow you to gather information for a claim from practically any location so long as you can access the Internet. You will use a checklist to record all of the important information from the accident scene including the other driver’s information, the date and time, and details about the accident.

If your mobile device has GPS location tracking, you will also be able to record the precise location of the accident along with uploading photos of the scene and of damage to all vehicles involved.

Policy overview

They normally requires customers to use the insurer’s repairer in case of a claim. If the vehicle is beyond repair, then the company negotiates a settlement with the policyholder. The policy does not cover things like lost wages due to loss of the vehicle.

All of the comprehensive plans provide cover for fire, theft and accidental damage up to a certain amount that is specified in the policy.

Website design

Their site is attractive with a simple layout that makes it easy for users to find exactly what they want. The site is not too cluttered with information and there is plenty of space around the main text items so that you can quickly scan through each page.

If you are ready to look for a quote, there is a large easy-to-spot red button on the homepage or you can browse through the “help” section for more information. The homepage also offers a phone number in case you would rather speak to a company representative.

Another nice feature about the website is that it offers a blog so that users can interact with their staff.

Learner drivers

Even drivers who are still learning with a provisional licence can obtain cover. The policy is comprehensive and claims do not pose any risk to your no-claims bonus on existing standard insurance policies. The Learners policy is available for drivers with a provisional licence who are accompanied by a driver over 25 years old that has held a full UK driving licence for at least three years. The policy does not require that the accompanying driver be the car owner.

Verdict

They is one of the leading providers of online short term insurance with more than half a million customers served. The website is very easy to use and you can obtain insurance cover in just a matter of minutes.

The site, though, only provides cover for cars and vans and not for other types of vehicles. The acceptance policy is clear enough without excessive driver or vehicle restrictions. Even learner drivers with a provisional licence can obtain insurance cover.

The iPhone and Android apps are particularly useful in case you should have an accident and they are available for free download from the Apple Store or the Android Market.

A good choice if you do not need a motorcycle or motor home insurance policy.

Get a quote from their website

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