Temporary car insurance
Need short-term car insurance? Get cover from 1 hour to 30 days.
- Flexible – add extra days online
- Quick – get short-term car insurance within minutes
- Fully comprehensive cover for leisure or business use¹
- Protects the vehicle owner's No Claims Discount
What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance is short-term cover that lasts from 1 hour up to 30 days. It gives you the same level of cover as a standard annual policy, but for a much shorter period of time.
Short-term cover is perfect if you only need car insurance for a short period. For example, if you're borrowing a car from a friend or family member, or if you're test driving a car you want to buy.
Why choose RAC short-term car insurance?
Fully comprehensive cover
Protected as standard.
No Claims Discount protected
If you have an accident, yours or the car owners NCD won't be affected.
Fast and easy
Get a quote in minutes and cover starts immediately.
Flexible cover
Choose from 1 hour to 30 days.
Cover for almost everyone
If you're aged 17-75 and have a full UK licence.
Business cover included
Perfect for temporary work needs.
When could you use short-term car insurance?
Borrowing a car
To get from A to B while yours is in the garage.
Lending a car
So a friend or family member can share the driving.
Test driving a car
To make sure it's the right one for you.
Buying a car
To drive it home from the dealership or a private seller.
How long can you have temporary car insurance for?
You can get short-term cover for anything from 1 hour to 30 days. It's really flexible, so you can choose the exact amount of time that suits you.
Best of all, you can get a quote in minutes. Just give us a few details about yourself and the car you'll be driving, and we'll show you how much your cover will cost.
Get a quick quoteAm I eligible for temporary car insurance?
Before you take out a short-term insurance policy, there are a few things you will need to check – some for you and some for your vehicle:
As the driver, you must
have a current permanent address in the UK
hold a current, valid, full GB driving licence and have done so for at least 6 months (3 months if aged over 25)
have a current permanent address
have permission from the vehicle owner to drive it and you've agreed to insure it
have had no more than 1 fault claim in the last 12 months
have had no more than 9 penalty points and no disqualifications in the last 12 months
have had no driving offences in the last 3 years starting with the code DR, CD, DD, UT or DG
have had no driving offences in the last 6 months starting with the code IN or CU80
not have any unspent criminal convictions (other than driving offences)
have never been refused insurance or had a policy cancelled
Your vehicle must
be registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man
have a current market value of less than £75,000
have no more than 8 seats in total
not be a hire & reward or rental vehicle
not be leased under an agreement of 12 months or less
not be a seized vehicle or in a police compound
not have any engine modifications, body kits or alloy wheels – unless they were carried out for a disabled driver or passenger, or they were fitted at manufacture or were manufacturer optional extras
not be imported from another country through channels other than the maker's official distribution system
not be a heavy goods vehicle (HGV)
not be over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW)
What's covered in RAC temporary car insurance?
RAC short term insurance provides fully comprehensive cover for the vehicle you're driving, meaning all you need to do is pick your duration and you can be on the road within 15 minutes. There are certain things that are and aren't covered regardless of duration – check these out below:
What's covered
Loss, theft, fire or vandalism
Child seat replacement
Replacement locks
New car replacement - Of the same make, model and specification2
Accident recovery - And an approved repair service3
Legal liability - If another person is injured or dies, or their property's damaged
Personal accident - Up to £2,500 per claim (or £5,000 per insurance year)
Personal belongings - Cover up to £150
Protects the owner's No Claims Discount*
What's not covered
Unattended / keys in ignition - Loss or damage if the vehicle was left unattended with the engine running or the keys in the ignition
Wear and tear - Electrical and mechanical breakdown or gradual deterioration
Loss of value following a repair
Confiscation, requisition, or destruction - By or under order of any government, public or local authority
Courtesy car
Damage to tyres by braking or by punctures, cuts or bursts
Driving the car without a valid, full GB driving licence
Product information is based on policies underwritten by Aviva. DayInsure also offer policies with Mulsanne, and cover may differ. Please ensure cover levels meet your needs – read the full policy requirements.
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