Sometimes you only need car insurance for a short time. Maybe you're borrowing a friend's car for the day or picking up a new car you've just bought. That's where day insurance comes in. It's a type of temporary car insurance that lets you get covered quickly without paying for a whole year.
Day insurance is car insurance that covers you for a short period of time. It can last from just one hour up to around 28 days, depending on the provider. You only pay for the time you need, which makes it a flexible option when you don't need a full annual policy.
Most day insurance policies are fully comprehensive. This means you get the highest level of cover. You're protected if the car is damaged, stolen, or set on fire. It also covers damage you might cause to other people or their cars.
There are many reasons people take out short-term cover. According to industry data, the most common reason is to test drive, buy, or sell a car. In 2023, this made up about 35% of all temporary policies sold.
The second most common reason is borrowing a vehicle. Nearly a quarter of all temporary policies (23%) were taken out for this reason in 2023.
Other common reasons include sharing the driving on a road trip, moving house with a borrowed van, letting someone else drive your car for a day, and learner drivers practising in a family member's car.
The cost depends on things like your age, driving history, the car you want to insure, and how long you need cover for. According to Uswitch, the average cost of a temporary car insurance policy between October 2022 and September 2023 was £73.80. Most temporary car insurance policies are affordable, with over 60% costing less than £50, and around 75% costing less than £75.
Day insurance does cost more per day than an annual policy would. But if you only need cover for a short time, it can work out much cheaper than paying for a whole year of insurance you won't use.
Over 60% of temporary car insurance policies cost less than £50, and around 75% cost less than £75, making it an accessible option for most drivers.
Quick to arrange: You can get covered in as little as 15 minutes and start driving straight away.
Only pay for what you need: Choose cover from one hour to 28 days, so you're not paying for time you won't use.
Protects no claims bonus: If you make a claim on a temporary policy, it usually won't affect the car owner's no claims discount.
Fully comprehensive cover: Most policies give you the highest level of protection as standard.
If you're looking for an annual fully comprehensive policy make sure to compare via Brumble.
There are some things day insurance won't do. You can't build up a no claims discount with a temporary policy, so it won't help you get cheaper insurance in the future. If you need cover for more than a few weeks, an annual policy might work out cheaper overall.
Most providers require you to be aged 18 to 75 and to have held a valid full UK driving licence for at least three to six months. Some providers offer cover for learner drivers too, but this varies.
According to Uswitch, the most common age group for temporary car insurance is people aged 30 to 34, who make up over 19% of all policyholders. Those aged 25 to 39 together make up nearly half of all temporary insurance buyers. It's not just for young drivers – it's a useful option for anyone who needs flexible, short-term cover.
Day insurance is a quick and flexible way to get covered when you only need car insurance for a short time. Whether you're borrowing a friend's car, test driving a new vehicle, or sharing the driving on a long journey, it lets you pay for exactly the cover you need without committing to a full annual policy.
Most policies are fully comprehensive and cost less than £75, making it an affordable option for many drivers. If you need cover for longer than a few weeks, it's worth comparing annual policies to see if you could save money in the long run.
Whether you need day insurance or a full annual policy, it's always worth comparing your options to see how much you could save.
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