Is 1 day car insurance available?
Car insurance for one day has been available for several years now, and short term insurance like this is a tried and tested product with hundreds of thousands of regular users. Prices are very reasonable, buying a policy is extremely quick and easy, and since it is done online you can set one up at any time of day or night you wish, from the comfort of your own home. Policies can be purchased for any daily period between a single day and a maximum of 28; and although there are certain conditions, for instance you must be over 19, with a reasonable car and a fairly decent driving record, the vast majority of British motorists will not have any problem with the short proposal form.
How long can you get cover for?
It is possible to buy insurance for between a day and four weeks. Many people buy it for just a single day. In this case the policy lasts for a full 24 hours, so you can pick your own start and end times.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from UK motorists between 19 and 75 who have held a full driving licence for at least a year, as well as learner drivers with provisional licences. Ex-patriates can also apply provided that they hold UK or EU licences.
I am an ex-pat and usually live abroad but need a postcode
You should enter the postcode of the address you are staying at in the UK. A friend's house or a hotel is acceptable.
What can you insure?
You can insure a car which belongs to you, or you can cover one that you have borrowed from a friend, neighbour, or relative. Alternatively you can lend your own car to someone else who can insure it in a similar way. Provided that the car you wish to cover is registered in the UK, is unmodified and is not a personal import, it is likely to be on the insurer’s database and therefore suitable for cover.
My car is not listed, what can be done?
Only makes and models on the insurer’s approved list can be covered, so if the vehicle is not showing it is unlikely to be accepted for this type of policy.
Does it take long to arrange?
The simple proposal form usually takes no more than a minute or so to get a quotation. Once you have the registration details of the car, it is only another couple of minutes to complete payment and download your documents.
When does cover begin?
You can choose to start cover immediately or set it to begin at a later time. This allows you to plan ahead if needed, or arrange cover quickly if something unexpected comes up.
Is it expensive?
On a cost-per-day basis, a full annual policy often works out cheaper. Even so, short term cover can still be good value, and premiums are generally lower than they used to be before specialist providers entered the market. It only takes a short time to check a price.
Is it safe?
All insurance companies operating in the UK must be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This also provides access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if an insurer were to become insolvent.
How are documents delivered?
You are sent a link to your documents shortly after buying your policy. You can download and print them if you wish, although this is not a legal requirement. As details may not appear on the Motor Insurance Database straight away, it is sensible to carry your cover note or have access to it on your mobile for the first few days.
When short term cover comes in handy
Car insurance for one day can be useful in a range of situations, whether you need to drive someone else’s car for a short trip or allow another driver to use yours temporarily. It is one of those things that tends to be overlooked until the moment you need it.