FAQ’s
Explore our car insurance FAQ page for expert answers to common queries about coverage, claims, and more.
What is a temporary car insurance policy?
Temporary car insurance provides short-term coverage for either your own or someone else’s vehicle that you are borrowing, ranging from an hour up to a month. It offers flexibility for specific situations, such as short trips or borrowing a car, allowing you to customise your comphrehensive coverage based on your temporary needs.
How does temporary car insurance work?
Simply fill in your details and the details of the vehicle you are insuring, and let us know how long you need the insurance cover to last. One Day Insurance will present you with you a quote and once you have paid online, we will email you in minutes with all the necessary documentation to show you are correctly insured on the vehicle. The insurance policy will appear on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) within 24 hours, but to be sure, we recommend you keep proof of your policy with you whilst driving, whether it’s electronic or paper. To find out more about what the MID is and how it impacts your temporary car insurance policy, read our blog covering all things MID. Your insurance policy will protect you much as a regular annual policy would, with comprehensive cover as standard, however, the cover will expire after the selected time period is up.
What is covered by a temporary car insurance policy?
Our policies include comprehensive coverage as standard, ensuring protection not only for damage to other vehicles but also for the car you are driving. This encompasses accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, and natural disasters, providing a broader financial safeguard for the policyholder compared to third-party or third-party, fire and theft policies.
How long can I get temporary car insurance for?
What are the benefits of temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance offers flexibility and the freedom to choose the policy duration you require. Enjoy cost savings by paying only for the coverage you need, and with comprehensive protection as a standard, it ensures optimal security without affecting the car owner’s no-claims discount. With our 3 simple steps, approval takes just minutes.
Can I get temporary car insurance for any type of vehicle?
There are certain elibility criteria that the car you’re insuring must meet:
- Vehicle is owned by family or friend, is a courtesy or lease car
- Vehicle is not a hire or rental vehicle
- Your usual vehicle is not impounded by the police
- Minimum car value £1000
- Maximum car value £50,000
- Social, Domestic and Pleasure / Social,
- Domestic and Pleasure + Commercial use / Class 1 business use only
The make and model of your car can impact your quote from One Day Insurance. Read more about our Elibility Criteria.
How is temporary car insurance different from an annual policy?
The primary difference between annual and temporary car insurance is in the name – annual car insurance is a policy that covers you over the course of a year, whilst temporary car insurance provides cover during a specific time period, ranging from an hour to a month. The key benefit of this temporary coverage is its flexibility and freedom, ideal for borrowing a friend or family member’s car, test drives, road trips, or any situation requiring temporary vehicle protection without the obligations of a long-term commitment. There are a host of other differences and benefits for annual vs temporary car insurace which you can read about in our blog comparing the two types of car insurance policies.
Can I renew or extend my temporary car insurance policy?
Whilst you cannot renew or extend your One Day Insurance policy, should you need comprehensive cover for longer than you planned, you are able to arrange a new short-term policy quick and simple by completing the online form / quote tool.
How long does it take for my insurance to show on the MID?
We ensure the timely upload of new policy data to the Motor Insurance Database (MID) daily, even on holidays and weekends. The information should become available on the MID within just 2-3 hours after we have submitted your information. Read more about the MID and why it is relevant to your temporary car insurance policy.
Will temporary car insurance affect my No-Claims Discount?
Since temporary insurance is short-term and separate from your regular annual insurance policy, any claims made under temporary coverage should not affect the No-Claims Discount associated with your main policy.
How do I make a claim through One Day Insurance?
Follow this link to our Insurer information portal and the relvent details will be on there. Your insurer will be highlighted on your policy confirmation email.
Is temporary car insurance available for learner drivers?
No, at One Day Insurance we cannot provide short-term cover for learner drivers at this time.
What information is required to get temporary car insurance?
In order to get your insurance approved and you on the road as quick as possible, you will need to provide the following information:
- Your personal details; name, date of birth, home address and driving licence number
- You will need to have held a valid UK driving licence for a minimum of 6 months
- Vehicles details; registration number, make and model
Is temporary car insurance more expensive than annual insurance?
If you regularly use your car, annual insurance may be cheaper with lower monthly premiums. On the flip side, if you only need occasional or short-term coverage, temporary car insurance can save you money and protect the owner’s No Claims Discount. While it may cost more per day or month compared to annual insurance, it proves cost-effective for those seeking brief coverage. With One Day Insurance, you pay only for the required time, avoid early cancellation fees, and enjoy reliable comprehensive coverage. Read more about the pros and cons of getting temporary car insurance over annual car insurance to find out which is best for you.
Am I eligible for our One Day Insurance policies?
In order to be eligible for our short-term One Day Insurance policies, you and the vehicle you intend to insure must meet certain criteria. To find out about these specific requirements, read our page on Eligibility Criteria to discover if you meet this criteria.
What coverage options are available with temporary car insurance?
With One Day Insurance, you can get temporary car insurance for as long or as little as you need. We offer short-term cover for the following time periods: hourly, daily, weekend, weekly, monthly. Our policies come with comprehensive cover as standard. This means your policy will cover not only damage to other vehicles but also damage to your own car, whether it’s due to accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, or natural disasters. This type of coverage is more extensive than third-party or third-party, fire and theft policies, offering a higher level of financial protection for the policyholder.
Can I add additional drivers to my temporary car insurance policy?
No, additional drivers cannot be added to your One Day Insurance policy. They will instead have to arrange their own temporary car insurance policy, which can be done quickly and easily following our 3 simple steps to get a quote.
How do I apply for temporary car insurance?
It’s simple! Complete our quick and simple online form. We will send you a quote and you can choose the right policy for you. Then, just pay online for instant short-term car insurance, and within minutes, you will receive an email with all your policy documentation.
Are there any age restrictions for temporary car insurance?
At One Day Insurance, we offer short-term car insurance policies for drivers aged 21-74 years old.
Can I get temporary car insurance if I have a non-standard driver's licence?
No, in order to be eligible for temporary cover through One Day Insurance, you must possess a valid standard driver’s licence which has been held for a minimum of 6 months.
Can I cancel my temporary car insurance policy before the coverage period ends?
You are entitled to cancel your policy at any time, however, due to the nature of a short-term policy, you will not be an entitled to a refund if the policy has commenced. If your policy is cancelled before the start date, it will be subject to an admin charge of £25.
Does temporary car insurance include breakdown assistance?
No. Our policies do NOT include breakdown assistance. You will need to arrange this separately.
Will my temporary car insurance cover me for business use?
Yes, our policies will cover you for social, domestic and pleasure use along with using the vehicle for work.
How quickly can I get temporary car insurance coverage?
In minutes! The great thing about getting short-term cover through One Day Insurance is that all you have to do is complete our quick and simple online form, and we will send you a quote for you temporary insurance policy in minutes. Then, you just need to pay online for the policy, and all the policy documentation will be in your email inbox in an instant.
Do I need insurance to tax my car?
Yes, in the UK, you generally need to have car insurance to tax your car. The Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) law requires that all vehicles must be insured at all times, even if they are not in use. When you tax your car, you are required to provide details of your insurance. Without valid insurance, you may face penalties, including fines and the possibility of your vehicle being clamped or impounded. It’s important to ensure that your car has continuous insurance coverage to comply with the legal requirements in the UK.
Can I drive other cars on my insurance?
No, your insurance policy through One Day Insurance is only applicable for the car you initially arranged the car insurance for. If you need to be insured on another vehicle, you can apply again easily and get a quote for instant cover on a different car.
Can you insure a car your don't own?
Yes, however, you must have the consent of the car owner in order to insure and drive their car.
Can I make any changes to my policy after my cover has been purchased?
No, unfortunately once the policy has been paid for, you are unable to make any changes, including name changes, the vehicle you have insured, or duration of the policy. It is therefore really important that you ensure all the information you provide is correct and up to date.
Can I drive abroad with this insurance?
No. You are insurerd to drive in the UK only.
How do I receive my policy documents?
We will send all your policy documents to your email address. Make sure you have checked your spam/junk inbox. If you have still not received your documents after 1 hour, please contact us.
What should I do if I am in an accident?
You’re required to inform your Insurer about any claims by calling the number provided in your documents within 24 hours of the incident. Reporting all incidents, regardless of fault or your decision to make a claim, is a condition of your insurance policy. This ensures your protection from any claims made against you.
I have provided the incorrect email address - can I amend it?
Please contact us via LIVE CHAT and request for the documents to be sent to the correct email address. In your email, please provide the vehicle registration number, date of birth and postcode so we can verify your policy.
Guides and inspiration
Get informed, get inspired – read our blogs to find out more about short-term car insurance and how it could be the solution for your driving needs.
