Is it easy to buy a single day’s car insurance?
One day car insurance is very straightforward to arrange. In fact, it is often quicker to set up a 24 hour policy than a standard annual one. The application process has been kept simple, with fewer questions to work through, which makes a real difference if you are short on time.
This suits how most people use it. Many policies are taken out at short notice, sometimes on a mobile phone or tablet rather than a desktop computer. Long forms and detailed background questions have largely been stripped away, so you can get from quote to cover without much delay.
Is it cheap?
On a day by day basis, short term cover will usually cost more than the equivalent slice of an annual policy. That said, it is designed for occasional use rather than long stretches. If you only need cover for a brief period, it can still represent good value.
It also helps to look at it in context. Driving without insurance, or allowing someone else to use your car uninsured, can lead to serious penalties. Against that, the cost of a single day policy can feel relatively modest.
Can you buy it?
Acceptance is not guaranteed, as each insurer has its own criteria. Typically you would need to be at least 18, hold a full driving licence for a minimum period, often six months to a year, and be insuring a vehicle that appears on the insurer’s approved list.
Even with those checks in place, most applications do go through. Getting a quote takes very little time, so it is usually worth trying to see what is available.
How long does it take?
You can often get a quotation in about a minute. Completing the remaining steps, including payment and document access, usually takes only a couple more minutes. Once accepted, cover can begin almost straight away, or you can set it to start at a time that suits you.