Temporary car insurance: complete UK guide

Table of contents

1. Overview and legality

2. What does temporary car insurance cover?

2.1 Comprehensive cover – what it usually means
2.2 Classes of use
2.3 Windscreens and glass
2.4 Driving in Europe (EU/EEA countries)
2.5 Taxi and private hire use
2.6 Vehicles in a police impound

3. How much does temporary car insurance cost?

3.1 Example Briefly prices – January 2026

4. What to know about temporary car insurance if you are borrowing a car, lending a car or using your own car

4.1 Driving someone else’s car
4.2 Lending your car to someone using temporary insurance
4.3 Using temporary cover on a car you own

5. Who provides temporary car insurance?

5.1 Panel brokers
5.2 Integrated broker/underwriter brands

6. Who can buy it, and what vehicles are eligible?

6.1 Driver eligibility
6.2 Living abroad or using a non-UK licence
6.3 Vehicle eligibility

7. Buying, extending, cancelling and refunds

7.1 How to buy temporary car insurance
7.2 Can I Extend a policy or buy more time?
7.3 Can I buy rolling short‑term cover instead of annual insurance?
7.4 Cancelling and refunds
7.5 Why might my application be declined?

8. Claims and no-claims bonus

9. FAQs.

About Briefly

References

Temporary (or “short-term”) car insurance provides cover for you to drive a specific vehicle for anything from one hour to typically 28 days (though some providers, such as Veygo, permit up to 60 days), whether or not there is an existing annual policy on the vehicle. It’s fully legal in the UK and widely used when you only need a car for a short period – for example to borrow a friend’s car, collect a new purchase or fill a gap between annual policies.
This guide explains what temporary car insurance covers, how much it costs, when it makes sense to use it, and how it works with Briefly.

Always check your own policy documents for the exact cover, exclusions and conditions that apply.

Key Takeaways
    • Temporary car insurance is legal in the UK with an estimated 10 million policies sold a year*.
    • Most mainstream providers, including Briefly, offer comprehensive cover as standard, with clearly defined “class of use” (what you can use your car to do) such as Social, Domestic and Pleasure; commuting; business.
    • If borrowing a car, a separate temporary policy usually means a fault claim does not affect the vehicle owner’s no claims bonus, but it will go on the driver’s claims history.
    • Prices vary widely; in January 2026, half of Briefly’s new customers paid £18.65 or less for 1‑day cover (your own price may be higher or lower).
    • Temporary car insurance is commonly used to borrow someone else’s car or insure your own car either for infrequent use, or bridge gaps between annual policies.

    *Estimated based on Briefly sales data and Temporary short term policies that Acorn Group sells via other brokers.

1. Overview and legality

What is temporary car insurance?

Temporary car insurance is a standalone motor insurance policy that:

    • Covers a named driver (or drivers) on one specific vehicle.
    • Runs for a fixed, short period (for example, 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days or 28 days).
    • Sits alongside any existing annual policy on the car (if there is one).

Common alternative terms include:

    • Short-term car insurance
    • One day car insurance
    • Hourly car insurance
    • Day or weekly car insurance

 

Is temporary car insurance legal in the UK?

Yes. Temporary car insurance is fully legal in the UK. Briefly estimates that over 10 million temporary car policies* are sold each year. As with any motor cover, the insurer and broker must be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can check any firm’s status on the FCA register.

*Estimated based on Briefly sales data and Temporary short-term policies that Acorn Group sells via other brokers.

Will my temporary insurance show on the Motor Insurance Database (MID)?

Policy details are added to the Motor Insurance Database (MID), which is used by the police, DVLA and others to confirm vehicles are insured and to help combat uninsured driving. This may not happen immediately, so if you purchase temporary car insurance for immediate start then make sure you have your policy documents accessible to show the Police if you are stopped.

How long can a temporary policy last?

Typical durations vary by provider, but usually:

    • Minimum: from 1 hour
    • Maximum: typically up to 28 days (though some providers, such as Veygo, offer up to 60 days)

You can often buy multiple policies back-to-back if you need cover for a longer period.

2. What does temporary car insurance cover?

Most mainstream short-term providers (including Briefly, Tempcover, GoShorty, Cuvva and Veygo) offer comprehensive temporary cover as standard.

2.1 Comprehensive cover – what it usually means

Comprehensive temporary insurance generally includes:

    • Third‑party liability
      • Injury to other people
      • Damage to other people’s property, if you are at fault in an accident.
    • Damage to the insured vehicle
      • Theft
      • Fire
      • Accidental damage (subject to the policy excess), regardless of fault.

Always check the policy wording for the exact cover, limits and exclusions.

2.2 Classes of use

Temporary policies specify what you’re allowed to use the vehicle for. Common classes of use are:

Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SDP)

Covers non‑work use such as:

    • Shopping
    • Visiting friends and family
    • Travel to sport/leisure activities
    • Holidays within the UK (See below for non-UK journeys)

Temporary car policies include SDP as standard.

Commuting

Covers driving to and from one regular place of work.

    • Some providers include commuting as standard.
    • Others offer it as a vehicle use option, or may not offer it at all.

Business use

Covers using the vehicle for work-related travel beyond commuting. For example:

    • Visiting clients
    • Driving to work sites or offices that are not your usual place of work

This is not the same as taxi or courier use.


Carriage of own goods

Covers transporting goods or equipment that:

    • Belong to you or your business, and
    • Are not being delivered to someone else in return for payment.

Examples:

    • Tradespeople transporting tools and materials to jobs
    • Businesses moving their own stock or equipment between locations

Important: The goods themselves are usually not insured under the motor policy. Separate goods in transit cover is typically required to protect items carried in the vehicle.

Hire and reward (delivery of goods)

“Hire and reward” for delivery of goods is specialist cover that allows you to:

    • Deliver products (e.g. parcels, takeaway food, flowers) in exchange for payment

This is often referred to as courier insurance or food delivery insurance.

    • It is not included as standard on most temporary car insurance policies.
    • Briefly does not currently arrange hire and reward for the delivery of goods on temporary car insurance.

If you intend to do courier or food delivery work, you will need a specific hire and reward policy.

2.3 Windscreens and glass

Windscreen and glass cover varies between providers. Short‑term policies arranged by Briefly do not cover any claim for damage to your vehicle’s windscreen, windows, sunroof, detachable hard-top or panoramic roof panels whether glass or plastic. If windscreen cover is important to you, always check this point before buying.

2.4 Driving in Europe (EU/EEA countries)

Some temporary policies allow you to drive in EU/EEA countries.

    • Many provide the minimum third‑party cover required by law in EU/EEA states.
    • Others restrict cover to driving within the UK only.

With short‑term policies arranged by Briefly:

    • You can drive in Europe (EU/EEA countries and Switzerland), but cover is third‑party only while abroad. A list of countries is available in the policy booklet.

Always check:

    • Which countries are covered
    • What level of cover applies

Note trips must begin and end in the UK.

2.5 Taxi and private hire use

Temporary car insurance does not allow you to use a vehicle as:

    • A taxi, or
    • A private hire vehicle (e.g. minicab)

Licensed taxi and private hire work requires specialist taxi insurance and the vehicle itself must hold a specific taxi licence issued by the local licensing authority.

2.6 Vehicles in a police impound

You cannot release a vehicle from a police impound using a standard temporary car insurance policy.
To get an impounded vehicle released, you typically need:

    • Specialist impound insurance –a 30‑day third‑party only policy.

Some providers, including GoShorty, Tempcover and Briefly, offer impound‑specific products. Eligibility and cover on these policies are different to standard temporary insurance, so always read the terms carefully.

3. How much does temporary car insurance cost?

There is no fixed price for “temporary car insurance”. Premiums are based on details such as:

      • Driver details
      • Vehicle details
      • Location
      • Cover level and class of use
      • Different providers may be cheaper for different people, depending on how the insurer calculates the underlying risk of that person (and how much fee the broker applies)

3.1 Example prices paid by Briefly customers – January 2026

For temporary car insurance policies arranged by Briefly in January 2026, example prices by key durations are below:

                                                                                                                             
DurationThe average price paid for the cheapest 10% of policies sold*Median Cost (50% of customers paid this or less)*
1 hour£6.65£9.81
4 hours£9.81£14.33
1 day£11.12£18.65
7 days£38.01£58.84
28 days£85.90£127.91

*How we calculated these figures
The prices shown are based on all temporary car policies sold by Briefly to new customers between 1 January 2026 and 31 January 2026. We looked at the 10th percentile price (“10% of customers paid this or less”) and the median price (“50% of customers paid this or less”) for each policy duration, across all ages, vehicles, UK postcodes and classes of use we offer.

Figures shown are the total price paid by customers (underwriter premium including Insurance premium tax and Briefly administration fee). They are provided for illustration only and are not a quote or a guarantee of the price you will be offered. Your own premium will depend on your individual circumstances and underwriting criteria at the time you buy.

What affects the price of Temporary Car insurance?

The price shown is usually made up of:

    • The underwriter’s premium, based on factors such as:
      • Age and how long you’ve held your licence
      • Claims history and motoring convictions
      • Vehicle make, model, value and age
      • Postcode
      • Cover period and class of use
    • The broker’s fee, which the provider (for example, Briefly) adds for arranging the policy.

Temporary car insurance tends to be more expensive for drivers who are:

    • Younger
    • Newly qualified
    • Have recent claims or motoring convictions
    • Drive higher‑risk vehicles (e.g. high‑performance or high‑value cars)
Is Temporary cover cheaper than being added as a named driver?
Whether temporary cover is cheaper than being added to an annual policy depends on:

  • The vehicle owner’s insurer:
    • Fees the insurer may charge to add a driver.
    • Additional premium to reflect the increase in risk of adding the additional driver.
  • How long you need the car.

How much the Temporary car provider charges for the policy (there is likely to be a difference in price between providers). Typically:

  • For very short periods, temporary cover can be more convenient and cost‑effective.
  • For regular or long‑term use, being added as a named or temporary additional driver to the owner’s annual policy may be better value.

The best approach is usually to compare:

  • A quote to be added as a driver on the annual policy, and
  • A quote for separate temporary cover.

4. What to know about temporary car insurance if you are borrowing a car, lending a car or using your own car


4.1 Driving/borrowing someone else’s car
Temporary car insurance is often used by drivers who are driving/borrowing someone else’s car.

Key points
      • You must have the owner’s explicit permission to drive their vehicle.
      • The temporary policy is usually in your name and is separate from the owner’s policy.
      • A fault claim on your temporary policy does not affect the no‑claims bonus (NCB), also known as no claims discount (NCD), associated with the owner’s policy (as a ‘no claims discount’ is tied to the policy and there wouldn’t be a claim against the owner’s policy)
      • The vehicle must be roadworthy, correctly taxed, and have a valid MOT
      • You, the borrower, can be someone who doesn’t own a car, or someone who owns a car but can’t use it (perhaps because their own car is being used by another person or is being repaired).
      • It can include a scenario where the vehicle owner is in the vehicle but wants to add a second driver to share the driving, particularly if on a long journey.


    Before you buy,     check with the owner:

    • They’re happy for you to drive the car.
    • They understand there will be an excess payable if there’s a fault claim and agree who will pay it if the situation arises.
    Does the vehicle need annual insurance as well?

    This depends on the provider:

      • Some providers (for example, Veygo) require that if you are not the vehicle owner, the car must already be covered by an annual policy.
      • Briefly allows temporary cover on vehicles that do not have existing annual insurance, even when the driver is not the registered keeper, subject to other eligibility criteria such as driver age.

    Always check the eligibility rules for the specific policy you’re buying.

      What are the pros and cons of temporary insurance vs being added as a named driver?

      Temporary insurance is often better when:

        • You only need the car occasionally or for a one‑off trip.
        • The owner does not want their no‑claims bonus at risk.
        • The owner prefers not to change their annual policy.

      Being added to the owner’s policy may be better when:

        • You’ll drive the car regularly or over a longer period.
        • The owner’s insurer offers low‑cost temporary additional driver options.
        • You’re both comfortable that a fault claim could affect the owner’s NCB.
      What are the pros and cons of temporary insurance vs using the 'driving other cars' clause in my annual insurance policy?

      Some annual policies may permit the named driver in the policy to ‘drive other cars’:

      • Check your annual insurance carefully to make sure that you meet all eligibility requirements.
      • The car in your policy must typically still be roadworthy
      • The car that you are looking to borrow must have underlying insurance
      • Check to see what ‘classes of use’ apply. It may well be for Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SDP) use only.

      The major positive is that there is no cost to pay. If you have the vehicle owner’s permission and meet all the eligibility criteria then you can drive that vehicle without paying for either temporary insurance or to be added as a named driver on the car you are borrowing’s insurance policy.

      The major draw-back is that you will almost certainly be insured for third-party only cover (do check policy wording) which means you are not covered for any damage you may cause to the vehicle.

      If I have an accident where I'm at fault, what happens and how does the excess work?

      If you have a fault accident while driving on a temporary policy:

        • The insurer will typically arrange:
          • Repairs to the owner’s vehicle, or
          • A market value settlement if it is written off.
        • The policy excess will be:
          • Deducted from the claim payment, or
          • Collected from you as the policyholder.
      If I make a claim, where I am at fault, on a temporary car insurance policy, will the claim affect future insurance costs?

      A claim on a temporary policy will appear in your claims history, and you must declare it when you next buy insurance. It is likely to increase the premium you pay for your next policy.


      4.2 Lending your car to someone using temporary insurance
      If you own a car and want to lend it to someone for a short period, asking them to buy temporary insurance in their name on your vehicle can protect both of you.

      Key points
        • The driver buys the temporary policy in their own name on your vehicle.
        • The policy is separate from your annual insurance.
        • A fault claim on their temporary policy does not affect your no‑claims bonus (which is linked to your policy).
        • The car must still be roadworthy, taxed and have a valid MOT.
      If someone driving my car with temporary car insurance makes a fault claim, will my no-claims bonus be affected?

      With a separate temporary policy in the borrower’s name:

        • A fault claim is made on their temporary policy.
        • Your no‑claims bonus (NCB) on your own annual policy will not be affected by that claim.

      If instead you add them as a named driver to your annual policy and they have a fault claim:

        • The claim will usually be made on your policy.
        • Your NCB may be reduced or lost.
        • Your future premiums are likely to increase.
      Is it better to add them to my annual policy or use temporary cover?

      Adding them to your annual policy may be better if:

        • They will drive your car regularly or over a longer period.
        • Your insurer offers low‑cost temporary additional driver options.
        • You’re comfortable that a claim could affect your NCB.

      Temporary cover may be better if:

        • They only need the car for a short or specific amount of time.
        • You want to keep any claim separate from your annual policy.
        • You would like to avoid the admin of changing your existing policy.
      What are the pros and cons of allowing someone to drive my car if they have 'Drive Other Cars (DOC)' as a term on their own insurance policy, versus the person using temporary cover?

      The major benefit is for the person borrowing your car as they won’t have to pay for any additional insurance. A pro for you, as the owner of the vehicle, is that there is no administrative work or payment to add them to your policy either.

      However, as the owner of the vehicle you should be aware that most ‘Drive Other Cars’ terms provide third party only cover. This means that if the person damages your car and it is their fault, then their insurer will not repair the vehicle or pay you any money if it is written off.

      Ask to see the other driver’s policy documents so you can check that they are covered to drive your car under the ‘Drive Other Cars’ term and what terms and conditions apply.

      If there is no ‘Drive Other Cars’ cover (sometimes ‘driving other vehicles’ is excluded) and the driver has an accident that damages your vehicle and other people’s property, then a claim will be made against your insurance policy (leaving you out of pocket on both repairs and potentially losing your no claims bonus).

      What happens if the person borrowing my car using temporary car insurance has an accident?
      If the borrower has a fault accident while driving your car on a temporary policy:

        • The temporary insurer will usually:
          • Arrange repairs to your vehicle, or
          • Pay its market value if it’s written off.
        • A policy excess will apply and will either:
          • Be deducted from the settlement, or
          • Be collected from the temporary policyholder.

          You and the driver should agree in advance who will pay the excess and any uninsured losses.


      4.3 Using temporary cover on a car you own

      You can also use temporary car insurance on a vehicle you own, rather than someone else’s car.

      Common reasons to use temporary cover on your own car

        • Gap between annual policies
          You’ve arranged an annual policy with a future start date (sometimes cheaper than immediate cover) and need insurance in the meantime.
        • Occasional‑use vehicle
          You own a car that you only drive occasionally and:
          • Keep it off the road and SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification – this means you have informed the government that your vehicle is off road and will not require insurance or road tax) most of the time, then
          • Insure it temporarily when you need to use it.
        • Before selling your car
          You plan to sell the vehicle soon and don’t want to commit to an annual policy. Temporary cover can see you through until sale.
        • MOT or garage visits
          You need insurance to legally drive the car to an MOT, servicing or repair appointment.
        • Drive‑away insurance when buying a car
          You’ve just bought a car (new or used) and need immediate cover to:
          • Drive it home, and
          • Give yourself time to shop around properly for annual insurance.
      Do I need insurance if my car is parked on the road?

      Yes. In the UK, any vehicle kept on a public road must be insured at all times, even if it’s not being driven.
      If you want the car to be uninsured for a period, you must:

        • Keep it off the public road (e.g. on a private driveway or in a garage), and
        • Register it as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) with the DVLA.

      You can read more in Briefly’s guide on how to SORN and unSORN a vehicle

      Can I get temporary insurance for a brand-new car?

      Yes. Temporary “drive‑away” cover for a brand‑new or newly purchased used car is a common reason to buy temporary insurance. It can provide you with immediate cover, while you consider your options for annual insurance.

      5. Who provides temporary car insurance?

      In the UK, temporary car insurance is usually arranged by brokers (companies who set up the policy) who work with one or more underwriters (insurers who provide the cover).

      5.1 Panel brokers

      Panel brokers work with a panel (multiple) of insurers. When you request a quote:

        • Each insurer on the panel will prepare a quote based on the details you have provided.
        • The broker adds a broker fee to each quote.

      Some panel brokers (e.g. GoShorty):

        • Show you multiple quotes, allowing you to choose based on price, excess and cover.

      Others (e.g. Tempcover):

      May present only the cheapest available quote and not show other options that may be more appropriate to your needs.

      5.2 The broker and the insurer are part of the same group (sometimes known as “full-stack”)

      Other providers, such as Briefly and Veygo, are part of a group that includes both the broker and the insurer. For example, Briefly policies are manufactured by Haven Insurance. Both Briefly and Haven are part of Acorn Group. This means they often share resources, insights, data and profit from each sale.

      6. Who can buy it, and what vehicles are eligible?

      Eligibility varies by provider, but the points below are common.

      6.1 Driver eligibility

      Typical driver criteria may include:

        • Age – minimum and maximum ages (for example, 18–75; this varies).
        • Licence type – usually a full UK licence; some accept EU/EEA or certain international licences.
        • How long the licence has been held
        • Residency – many providers, including Briefly, require you to be a UK resident.
        • Driving record – limits on the number and type of claims and motoring convictions, as well how recent they are.
      Can I get temporary insurance if I have motoring convictions (points on my licence) or a drink-driving ban?
        • If you are currently disqualified from driving, you cannot legally drive and cannot be insured.
        • If you have past convictions or points, you may be able to get a quote for temporary insurance, but this will depend on:
          • The type of offence
          • How many points you have
          • How recent the offences are

          Temporary insurance arranged by Briefly assesses eligibility based on the type, and how recent the conviction was received.

      How do insurers know my driving record?

      Temporary insurers may:

        • Ask you to declare previous claims and convictions on your application
        • Use your driving licence number to access your record through the DVLA.
        • Check claims history and fraud databases to validate information.
      How can I check my own driving record?

      You can view your driving record online via the official GOV.UK “view driving licence” service, using:

        • Your driving licence number
        • National Insurance number
        • Postcode
      6.2 Living abroad or using a non-UK licence

      Some temporary providers offer cover to drivers who:

      • Do not have a UK licence, and/or
      • Do not live in the UK

      as long as the vehicle is UK‑registered and other criteria are met.
      Others only accept:

      • UK residents, and
      • Holders of full UK licences.

      Always check the eligibility requirements before you apply.

      Temporary insurance arranged by Briefly requires a policyholder to be UK resident and hold a UK driving licence.

      6.3 Vehicle eligibility

      Different providers will also set rules for which vehicles can be insured. Common requirements include:

        • UK‑registered vehicle.
        • Correctly taxed and, where applicable, MOT’d and not SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification – this means you have informed the government that your vehicle is off road and will not require insurance or road tax).
        • Within certain limits for:
          • Value
          • Age
          • Power/engine size
          • Weight (particularly for vans)
        • No significant modifications beyond standard factory or dealer‑fitted options in many cases.
      Can I insure a hire or rental vehicle?

      Generally, no. Most temporary underwriters do not allow cover on:

      • Short-term hire or rental cars
      • Vehicles from daily rental companies
      • Some types of leased vehicles

      In those cases, you should use the insurance offered by the hire or leasing company.

      Can I insure left-hand drive or modified cars?
      Many temporary providers require:

      • Right‑hand drive, UK‑spec vehicles.
      • No major performance, body or engine modifications.

      Always check the specific vehicle rules during the quote process.

      Can I insure a non-UK registered vehicle?

      Most temporary insurance products available in the UK cannot cover a non-UK registered vehicle, though some providers such as Dayinsure offer this.

      Cover for non-UK registered vehicles may be available under chassis number insurance (based on the VIN/chassis number rather than a UK registration). This is a specialist product offered by some insurers, such as Acorn (part of the same group as Briefly).

        7. Buying, extending, cancelling and refunds

        7.1 How to buy temporary car insurance

        Although the exact steps vary by provider, you will typically:

        1. Enter the vehicle registration so the system can pull basic details about the vehicle.
        2. Provide your personal and licence details (name, address, date of birth, licence type and number).
        3. Answer questions about your driving record (claims, convictions, bans) or your driving record will be accessed via third party databases such as the DVLA.
        4. Choose the start time and duration (e.g. 1 day, 7 days, 28 days).
        5. Select the required class of use (Social, Domestic and Pleasure; commuting; business etc.).
        6. Review the quote, including:
        • Price
        • Excess
        • Cover level and key inclusions

        7. Pay online and receive your documents, usually by email and/or via an online portal.

        8. Identity check: Some providers may ask for a scan of your driving licence and/or video to link the applicant to the licence

        7.2 Can I Extend a policy or buy more time?

        Most providers do not “extend” an existing policy; instead, you buy a new policy to start when the current one ends.

          • Briefly do not offer extensions. If you are a Briefly customer and you need to buy a new policy that starts as an existing policy ends then log into your customer portal and click the “Need more time?” button on the existing policy and complete the new policy purchase process. This creates a new policy that starts at the same time as the live policy expires so you have continuous cover.

        You can usually run multiple policies back‑to‑back if you need cover for longer.


        7.3 Can I buy rolling short‑term cover instead of annual insurance?

        You can:

          • Buy a series of 7‑day or 28‑day policies, or
          • Use certain providers (e.g. Veygo) that offer rolling short‑term cover.

        However, over a full year it is usually cheaper to buy an annual policy than to:

          • Continuously renew weekly or monthly temporary policies, even if an annual policy is paid for monthly.
          • Most annual policies allow for monthly payment options using finance. However, if you make a claim on the policy then you will be required to complete all payments, which means that you may not be able to receive a refund if you choose to cancel the policy.

        7.4 Cancelling and refunds

        You can usually cancel temporary insurance at any time, but refunds are not always provided:

          • Once the policy has started, most providers will not refund the premium and/or fees.
          • Some providers, including Briefly, offer a full refund if you cancel before the policy starts.

        For Briefly specifically:

            • To receive a full refund, you must:
              • Log into the customer portal and start the cancellation process at least 10 minutes before the start time, and
              • Complete the cancellation before inception.

        Always check the cancellation and refund terms before you purchase.

        7.5 Why might my application be declined?

        Your quote can be declined if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. For example:

          • Your age.
          • Your postcode, vehicle or the way you want to use the vehicle is excluded.
          • Your driving record (claims/convictions).
          • The vehicle’s value, age or modifications.

        8. Claims and no‑claims bonus

        8.1 How to make a claim on temporary car insurance

        The exact process will be explained in your policy documents and typically, on the provider’s website, but generally if you have an accident and need to make a claim you should:

        1. Make sure everyone is safe at the scene and, if required, contact emergency services.
        2. Collect details:
        • Vehicle registrations
        • Names, addresses and phone numbers
        • Insurer details
        • Photos of damage and scene, if safe to do so

        3. Call the claims line given in your documentation as soon as possible.

        4. Provide:

        • Your policy number
        • Date, time and location of the incident
        • Details of what happened
        • Details of any other parties and witnesses

        The claims handler will then guide you through the next steps, including repair or settlement.

        If you have a temporary car policy that has been arranged by Briefly, you can call the claims line on: 01732 747 100 or text “CLAIM” to 83118 for a call back.

        Will a claim affect my no-claims bonus or future premiums?
        • A claim on a temporary policy is usually treated in the same way as a claim on an annual policy.
        • It will:
          • Appear in your claims history
          • Need to be declared, if asked, when you next buy insurance
          • Potentially increase future premiums for several years

        If the temporary policy is in your name on someone else’s car:

        • A claim will typically not affect the vehicle owner’s no‑claims bonus, because the claim is made on your separate temporary policy.
        Do I build no-claims bonus on temporary car policies?
        Most temporary policies:

        • Do not accrue a traditional no‑claims discount in the way annual policies do.
        • You won’t usually receive “1 year no claims bonus” for a claim‑free 28‑day policy, for example.

        9. FAQs

        9.1 What is temporary car insurance?

        Temporary car insurance is a standalone policy that covers a named driver or drivers to use a specific vehicle for a short, fixed period – typically from 1 hour up to 28 or 30 days – without changing or affecting any annual policy on the car.

        9.2 Is temporary car insurance legal in the UK?

        Yes. Temporary car insurance is legal in the UK, provided it is arranged by a broker authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can check any firm’s status on the FCA register.

        9.3 What does temporary car insurance usually cover?

        Most temporary car insurance policies from mainstream providers are comprehensive, meaning they typically include third‑party liability for injury and property damage, and cover for theft, fire and accidental damage to the insured vehicle, subject to policy terms and excess.

        9.4 How long can I insure a car for temporarily?

        You can usually buy temporary cover from as little as 1 hour up to around 28 or 30 days in a single policy. Many providers allow you to buy multiple policies back‑to‑back if you need cover for longer.

        9.5 Does temporary car insurance affect the owner’s no-claims bonus?

        If the temporary policy is in the borrower’s name and is separate from the owner’s annual policy, a fault claim will typically be made against the temporary policy and will not affect the owner’s no‑claims bonus.

        9.6 Is temporary car insurance cheaper than adding a named driver?

        It depends. For short‑term or one‑off use, a separate temporary policy can be more convenient and sometimes cheaper. For regular or long‑term use, adding a named or temporary additional driver to an annual policy may be better value. The only way to know is to compare quotes (considering the price and features such as level of cover) for both options.

        9.7 Can I get temporary car insurance if I have points or convictions?

        You cannot be insured if you are currently banned from driving. If you have points or previous motoring convictions, some temporary insurers will still cover you depending on the type of offence, how many points you have and how recent they are.

        9.8 Can I use temporary car insurance to drive a hire or rental car?

        Generally no. Most temporary car insurance policies do not cover vehicles hired from a rental company. In these cases, you should use the insurance offered by the rental provider or their authorised partners.

        9.9 Can I drive abroad on temporary car insurance?

        Some temporary policies provide limited cover for driving in EU/EEA countries, often at the minimum third‑party level required by law. Others restrict cover to the UK only. You should always check your policy documents to see which countries are covered and the level of cover provided.

        9.10 Can I cancel temporary car insurance and get a refund?

        You can usually cancel a temporary policy at any time, but once cover has started most providers do not refund premium or fees. Some providers, including Briefly, offer a full refund under specific circumstances.

        For Briefly specifically, to receive a full refund, you must:

        1. Log into the customer portal and start the cancellation process at least 10 minutes before the start time, and
        2. Complete the cancellation before inception.
        9.11 How quickly can I get temporary car insurance?

        You can normally buy temporary car insurance online and be covered within minutes. Many providers allow you to choose a start time up to 30 days in advance

        9.12 How do I claim on temporary car insurance?

        If you need to make a claim, you should follow the instructions in your policy documents, usually by calling a dedicated claims line as soon as possible after the incident and providing your policy number, incident details and information about any other parties involved.

        9.13 What happens if I provide inaccurate information during the application process?

        Providing inaccurate information during the application is known as a misrepresentation. If you make a claim then you may find that either the misrepresentation means your insurance is invalidated (and therefore you would receive no payment). Or in some circumstances, you may a receive a partial payment because, if your policy was set up with the correct details from the start, your insurance would have cost more.

        Your details may be added to fraud databases which will make it harder or more expensive for you to purchase insurance going forward.

        About Briefly

        Briefly is a UK‑based temporary car insurance broker. We arrange short‑term comprehensive car insurance policies for UK‑registered vehicles, from 1 hour up to 28 days, for drivers who need flexible cover at short notice.

        Briefly is a trading name of Acorn Insurance and Financial Services Limited authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 311873). Policies are underwritten by Haven Insurance Company Limited.

        Briefly has been arranging temporary car insurance policies since July 2024. In Jan 2026 we arranged more than 22,000 temporary car and van policies for drivers across the UK.

        Here’s a summary of Temporary Car Insurance policies sold by Briefly in 2025:

        • The most common policy duration for Temporary car insurance bought through Briefly in 2025 was 1 day, followed by Hourly.
        • Over 58% of our temporary car policies were for 1 day or less. 19% were for 7 days or longer.
        • The most common reason selected for needing temporary car insurance was ‘Don’t want annual insurance’.
        • More policies were purchased by 35 year olds than any other age group.
        • The most popular start time was between 9am and 10am.
        • The most common make was Ford (13%), followed by Vauxhall (12%).

         

        Written by: Al Taylor, Head of Briefly.

        References

        The information on this page is based on the product terms that Briefly arranges and on publicly available guidance from UK regulators and government agencies, including: