Temporary business car insurance

Many standard car insurance policies will only cover regular commuting towards a single workplace as well as driving for personal purposes. So if you plan to use your car for work every now and then, you may need temporary business car insurance.

What is temporary business car insurance?

Temporary business car insurance is worth considering if you need to drive a car for a short period of time for business purposes.

If you have a standard car insurance policy on the car you own for personal use, it’s likely to cover you for “social, domestic and pleasure” reasons at a minimum – shopping, visiting friends and family or a driving staycation, for example. Most personal car insurance policies can also insure you to commute to a regular place of work.

However, using your car for business purposes other than your regular commute typically won’t be covered.

If you only need to use your car for work purposes occasionally, that’s where temporary business car insurance can come in. Short-term business car insurance is very flexible; you can take it out for any period of time between 1 hour and 30 days.

If you regularly use your car for work, you’re probably better off with annual business car insurance.

How can I get temporary business car insurance?

There are a number of insurers that offer temporary business car insurance, including mainstream insurers and providers that specialise in temporary car insurance.

You can usually get a quote online fairly quickly. Many insurers also offer instant cover, meaning that you can hit the road within a few minutes of requesting the policy.

You’ll need to supply similar details to those you give when taking out a regular car insurance policy, plus details of the business use – including how long you need cover for.

Am I eligible for temporary business car insurance?

Restrictions on the driver and the car in question will vary depending on the insurer, but often include the following:

• Age limits. For example, the minimum age could be 18 or more. The maximum age can sometimes be 75.
• Driving licence requirements. You normally need to have had your licence for 3-6 months, depending on the insurer. Your licence will also need to cover you to drive the size of vehicle you’re using for work.
• Good track record. Many insurers will not accept you if you have a certain number of penalty points on your licence or have recently been disqualified from driving.
• Vehicle size. Vehicles with more than a certain number of seats, or that exceed a certain weight or engine size, may not be covered.
• Vehicle value. Many insurers exclude cars worth more than a certain amount.

Why should I get short-term business car insurance?

Temporary car insurance for business can be useful in a range of circumstances, such as the following:

• Driving your own vehicle for work. For example, if you need to travel to a conference or for training, to visit a client or to transport business equipment.
• Borrowing someone else’s vehicle for work. You don’t need to be the owner of a vehicle to get temporary business car insurance for it. You simply need the owner’s permission.
• Occasionally driving a company vehicle. If you have permanent use of a company car that you use for work, you are likely to already have all-year business insurance. And some company-owned vehicles – such as a fleet of vans – may already be covered by “any driver” insurance. If this doesn’t apply and you only need to drive a company-owned vehicle a few times, it’s worth considering temporary cover. This can also be helpful if a company needs to insure someone quickly as it waits to sort out permanent cover.

What does temporary business car insurance cover?

The specifics will always depend on the insurer, so you will need to read your policy carefully (no way of getting out of this one, sorry).

But generally speaking, you will usually get fairly comprehensive cover that offers the same protection against accidents, theft and damage as personal insurance, and it will also allow you to travel worry-free between multiple workplaces.

Short-term business car insurance policies will also usually cover personal use of the vehicle. If you’re borrowing a car for work and need to use it for personal reasons too, that’s perfectly fine.

What doesn’t temporary business car insurance cover?

There are a few activities that will not usually be covered by short-term business car insurance and will require a specialist policy. For example, working as a courier, providing taxi services and transporting hazardous goods, among others.

Some features, such as breakdown cover, might be optional and come for an extra price.

Can I get temporary business car insurance for longer than a month?

Most insurers only allow you to take out temporary policies that last up to a month. This does not mean you can’t get cover for more than a month, but you will need to take out multiple policies in succession.

However, you should check whether this is really the cheapest option. If you only use your car for work for a few hours a month, it’s probably best to take out multiple short policies rather than getting blanket cover for the whole month.

Conversely, if you are expecting to do so constantly for a fairly long time, you may want an annual business car insurance policy.

Pros and cons of temporary business car insurance

Bottom line

Quick and easy to set up, flexible to use and potentially very cost-effective, temporary business car insurance is all about making sure you are fully protected when driving for work. Your personal car insurance will not typically cover anything more than your regular commute, which can cause you trouble if something happens while you use your car for business purposes.

As the name suggests, temporary business car insurance will work best for those that only occasionally need extra business cover on a vehicle, rather than those that rely on it for their work.

Frequently asked questions

• How much does it cost to buy temporary business car insurance?

  Like any insurance, the cost of short-term business car insurance will vary by provider and according to your personal circumstances, including the car you want to insure. Depending on how long you take out insurance for, it could cost as little as a few pounds a day.

• Do I need business car insurance to drive to and from work?

  No. If you only use your car for a regular commute to and from your place of work, and not for other business reasons, this can be covered by your normal, personal car insurance policy. Just make sure you state that you will be using the car for commuting when you take out the policy.

• What's the difference between temporary and standard business car insurance?

  If you need to use a vehicle for work purposes, you have two main options.

  • You can take out a standard business car insurance policy, which will last 12 months. It’s likely to be the best option if you use your car for work all the time. Some providers may let you add this cover to your existing car insurance for an extra fee.
  • You can buy temporary business car insurance if you only need to use your car for work occasionally.

• Can I use my personal car for business?

  You’ll usually be able to cover commuting to and from a regular place of work as part of a personal car insurance policy. Any other business use won’t be covered as standard. If you want to use your personal car for business purposes, you can either add business cover to your existing insurance, take out a new annual policy that covers business use or buy short-term cover that only insures you for the specific periods you use your car for work.

• What happens if I don't get business insurance cover?

  If you don’t get business cover and you’re involved in an accident or your car is stolen while using your car for work purposes, your policy may be invalidated and your claim may be rejected. It’s not worth the risk.

  You could even be convicted of driving without appropriate insurance, resulting in a fine and points on your licence. This could happen even if you don’t make a claim – for example, if you are pulled over by the police as part of a routine check and they realise you are driving with the wrong level of cover.

• Is temporary car insurance for business safe?

  It is a regulated product. As with any other type of car insurance, make sure the insurer you are considering is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. And don’t forget to check your policy document thoroughly, including getting a clear understanding of what happens if you need to make a claim.

• Can I get temporary business car insurance for driving in Europe?

  Yes, you can. Some insurers will allow you to add in temporary European cover as an optional extra.

  So if you have a conference planned in Berlin or need to meet a client in Paris (lucky you), you can definitely consider driving there in your own car and getting it insured for the trip.

Written by

Ceri Stanaway

Writer

Ceri Stanaway is a researcher, writer and editor with more than 15 years’ experience, including a long stint at independent publisher Which?. She’s helped people find the best products and services, and avoid the pitfalls, across topics ranging from broadband to insurance. Outside of work, you can often find her sampling the fares in local cafes. See full bio