Can you get temporary car insurance if you are under 21?
Yes, although some companies offering temporary car insurance only cover drivers over the age of 25. However, younger drivers can still get short-term cover from many providers. Compare quotes here to get the best price.
Temporary or short-term car insurance can be expensive if you are under 21, so it’s important to shop around. This guide will help you to get the cheapest quote possible.
What policies are available?
Most temporary car insurance policies offer cover from between one to 28 days, but you can get a temporary learner policy that lasts up to five months.
The cost of short-term cover is calculated by the day, so ensure you only pay for the length of cover you need.
Think about what you need the cover for: you might be home from university and need to borrow a family member's car, for example. Work out how many days you’re likely to need the vehicle, and arrange for a policy that will cover this period, taking into account any days spent picking up and returning it. Then compare prices and policies to find the best deal.
See exactly what a car insurance policy covers.
Day insurance for young drivers
If you’re only likely to use a vehicle for a very short time, it may be cheapest to opt for single-day cover.
If you decide you just need one-day car insurance, you can compare policies here.
Temporary car insurance or annual policy?
If you need insurance for more than a month it could work out cheaper to buy an annual policy and then cancel it after a month, even though this will incur a cancellation fee.
This guide shows how cancelling an annual policy can be cheaper than buying short-term cover.
Compare annual car insurance here
Temporary car insurance for students under 21
If you’re a student under 21 years of age, temporary car insurance may be a good option. You are more likely to need cover for a shorter time, and a temporary insurance policy is likely to be cheaper than buying an annual policy and cancelling it.
Learner driver car insurance
If you’ve not passed your driving test and want to get some road practice in a family member's or friend's car, look for temporary learner driver insurance.
You must have a qualified driver sitting next to you, and some insurers specify that they must be at least 25 years old.
Learner policies range from just a few days to five months of cover. Alternatively, if you think it's going to take a while before you pass your test, you can get annual learner car insurance.
Compare quotes for learner driver insurance here.
How can I get temporary car insurance if I am under 21?
Car insurance companies consider drivers aged between 17 and 20 to be a much higher risk due to their lack of experience behind the wheel. Insurers that do offer temporary cover may set restrictions, such as:
you must have held a valid driving licence for at least 12 months
you must have no more than eight penalty points on your licence
you must not have any pending prosecutions
You will also need to check the policy's other acceptance requirements, including:
the maximum vehicle value you can get cover for
the standard excess payable by you in the event of a claim
How can I lower the cost of temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance is expensive for under 21s, but there are ways in which you can help mitigate some of the costs:
Increase the excess on your policy. Ensure you can afford to do this, however, because the excess set by insurers can be as much as £1,000 for young and newly-qualified drivers
Drive a smaller car. If you need temporary insurance when borrowing a friend's car, be mindful of its power. Cars with smaller engines usually cost less to cover
Shop around for short-term car insurance. Compare as many quotes as you can and only get cover for the exact period you need it because you could end up paying over the odds if you cover yourself for days you don’t use
Be a named driver on someone else's car insurance policy
If you are struggling to find affordable temporary cover you could try asking a family member to add you as a named driver on their policy.
The policyholder will pay extra on top of their premium to have you added and, even if it is only for a short-term period, they will have to pay administrative costs to the car insurance company to have you removed again.
It’s also a risk for the main policyholder to add you as the cost of their insurance will increase and their no-claims bonus may be affected if you have an accident.
