One Day Car Insurance: UK & Ireland Options and Costs

Whether you’re borrowing a friend’s car for a weekend errand, sitting a driving test, or just need cover for one specific trip, short-term car insurance can get you on the road without committing to a full annual policy. The options are plentiful in the UK — but travellers crossing to Ireland will find the landscape quite different. This guide lays out what’s available, how much it costs, and what you need to know before you buy.

Coverage range: 1 hour to 28 days ·
UK providers: RAC, Tempcover, GoShorty ·
Ireland options: Limited temporary policies ·
Cooling-off period: 14 days ·
Common use: Test drives, short trips

These benchmarks reflect what mainstream UK providers offer against Ireland’s structural gap.

What is one day car insurance?

One day car insurance is a short-term policy that covers you for a fixed period — anywhere from one hour to several weeks — without requiring an annual commitment. It’s designed for situations where you need temporary cover for a borrowed vehicle, a newly purchased car, or a specific journey.

Coverage details

UK providers typically offer three levels: Third Party Only (TPO), Third Party Fire & Theft (TPFT), and Comprehensive cover (Quotezone). Comprehensive is the most common offering from specialist temporary insurers. Cover applies to the named driver on the policy, not the vehicle owner, though some providers also list the car on the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

Common uses

• Test drives at dealerships or private sales
• Borrowing a car from a friend or family member
• Sitting a driving test
• Moving a newly purchased vehicle
• Temporary cover while awaiting annual policy setup

One key benefit: temporary cover can protect the car owner’s No Claims Bonus, because the claim sits on the temporary policy rather than the main one (GoShorty).

Can you get a 1 day insurance?

Yes, if you’re in the UK. Multiple insurers specialize in short-term cover, and getting a quote takes minutes. The options range from app-based instant cover (Cuvva) to longer-established brokers (Tempcover, Dayinsure).

UK options

• Cuvva — app-based, 1-hour minimum, prices from £12.55. Authorised by FCA under number 690273 (Cuvva)
• Tempcover — operating since 1998, offers expat and non-UK resident cover (Tempcover)
• RAC / Dayinsure — partnership offering cover from 1 hour to 30 days, with proof available in 15 minutes (RAC)
• GoShorty — ages 19-75, cars up to £65,000, MID updates four times daily (GoShorty)
• Aviva — via Dayinsure partnership, 60 minutes to 30 days, cars under £75,000 registered in GB, NI, or Isle of Man (Aviva)

Provider examples

Other providers include Veygo (suitable for learner drivers), Zixty (pay-per-mile model), Quotezone (covers cars, vans, motorbikes up to 3 months), and AXA (additional vehicle or driver cover). All are available via their websites or apps, with most providing instant digital proof of insurance.

The implication: UK drivers have genuine choice. Prices and eligibility vary, so comparing at least three quotes before buying makes sense — especially if you have points on your licence or drive a higher-value car.

Can I get temporary car insurance in Ireland?

The short answer is no, not in the same way as the UK. Ireland does not have standalone one-day policies for private cars from mainstream providers (CompareInsurance.ie).

Local providers

• Fetch.ie — primarily van insurance, not a general-purpose temporary car insurance solution
• Irish insurers generally require annual policies

Alternatives

Irish drivers who need short-term cover typically add drivers to an existing annual policy, which involves admin fees of €15-€30 (CompareInsurance.ie). The 14-day cooling-off period on new annual policies also provides a window to cancel without penalty if circumstances change.

What this means: if you’re buying a car in Ireland and need immediate cover, your realistic options are to extend an existing policy, take out a short-term annual policy, or use a specialist broker. There’s no direct equivalent to Cuvva or Tempcover for a single day’s cover.

How much does one day car insurance cost?

Pricing varies significantly based on your age, driving history, the car value, and the duration of cover. The figures below give a baseline from September 2024 data.

Factors affecting cost

• Driver age and licence type (provisional, full, years held)
• Car value and performance category
• Penalty points or prior claims
• Coverage level (TPO, TPFT, Comprehensive)
• Duration — some providers offer better daily rates for longer periods

Quote examples

Cuvva’s 1-hour learner insurance starts from £12.95 per hour (Cuvva). Confused.com quoted £31.35 for 1-day temporary cover in September 2024, and £48.09 for 2 days (Confused.com). These are indicative figures — your actual quote will depend on the factors above.

The catch: cheap one-day policies often carry stricter eligibility criteria. Younger drivers, those with points, or anyone insuring a higher-value car may find quotes significantly higher than the headline figures.

What’s the minimum fine for driving without insurance?

Driving without insurance in the UK is one of the most serious traffic offences. Penalties can include fixed penalties, vehicle seizure, and prosecution.

Penalties

• Fixed penalty notice: up to £300 plus 6 points on your licence
• Criminal prosecution: unlimited fine and up to 6 points
• Vehicle seizure and destruction
• Disqualification from driving

Police operations

Operation Tutelage and similar police initiatives actively check vehicles against the Motor Insurance Database (MID). GoShorty, for example, submits policies to the MID four times a day to ensure instant verification (GoShorty). If a vehicle isn’t on the MID and you’re stopped, the assumption is no cover — with immediate consequences.

Why this matters: a temporary policy that isn’t registered on the MID leaves you exposed to the same penalties as having no insurance at all. Before driving, confirm your policy is live in the database.

One day car insurance: Provider specifications

Seven providers, seven different approaches — the table below summarises the key specs that matter most.

The pattern: while minimum durations cluster around 1 hour across providers, maximum limits and eligibility criteria diverge enough that a single quote won’t tell the full story — check at least two or three options before committing.

Pros and cons of one day car insurance

How to buy one day car insurance: step by step

The process is straightforward for UK buyers, though preparation helps you get the right cover quickly.

1. Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

   Check the provider’s age requirements, licence type (full UK/EU or provisional), penalty points limits (Tempcover caps at 7), and vehicle value ceiling. If you have any doubts, most providers offer an online eligibility check before you start a quote.

2. Step 2: Gather your documents

   You’ll typically need your driving licence number, the vehicle registration, the owner’s details (if borrowing), and a payment method. For learner policies, your provisional licence details are required.

3. Step 3: Get at least three quotes

   Prices vary between providers, and the same driver can receive different quotes based on each insurer’s risk model. Use comparison sites or visit individual providers’ websites. Don’t assume the first quote is the best.

4. Step 4: Review the policy details

   Check the coverage level (Comprehensive is standard from most temp insurers), the excess amount, any exclusions, and whether the policy registers on the Motor Insurance Database. Verify that Northern Ireland or EU travel is covered if relevant.

5. Step 5: Purchase and confirm MID registration

   After purchase, you’ll receive instant proof of insurance via email or app. For providers like GoShorty that update the MID four times daily, confirm your vehicle appears before driving. RAC offers proof in as little as 15 minutes (RAC).

The implication: the final step is the one most likely to be skipped, yet it’s the one that determines whether your cover is legally valid.

What the sources say

Two perspectives illustrate the gap between UK and Irish markets. Cuvva states it has sold over 15 million policies since 2015, covering the UK and EU (Cuvva). By contrast, CompareInsurance.ie notes that standalone temporary car insurance has “very limited availability in Ireland” as a product category (CompareInsurance.ie).

Since 2015, we’ve sold 15 million+ policies, insured more than 3 million cars, and supported 1.5 million customers.

— Cuvva (Provider)

Temporary car insurance has very limited availability in Ireland as a standalone product.

— CompareInsurance.ie (Comparison Site)

The pattern is clear: UK consumers have a mature, competitive market for short-term cover. Irish consumers don’t. Until the Irish market develops a similar product, annual policy amendments remain the only route.

Related reading: Renew Driving Licence at 70 · Car Garages Near Me

UK and Ireland drivers seeking temporary cover will find familiar options like RAC in this UK costs providers guide, with competitive hourly rates starting low.

Frequently asked questions

For UK drivers, the choice between one-day policies is real and the market is competitive. For Irish drivers, the path is less straightforward — but understanding your alternatives (annual policy amendments, cooling-off windows, van-specific options like Fetch.ie) closes the gap. The key is knowing what cover you have before you drive, not after.