If you’re home from university visiting family and need to borrow their car, have you considered how much the car insurance will cost? A normal annual car insurance policy might not be suitable so choosing temporary car cover instead might be more worthwhile. Read our guide to compare temporary car insurance and discover what you’ll need in order to get cover as as student.
Why do I need temporary car insurance?
All drivers are legally required to have car insurance to be on UK roads as it provides financial protection if you’re involved in an accident. It can cover against injuries as well as damage to property for you and others. Car insurance can also offer financial protection if your car is vandalised, stolen or damaged by fire. You may not need cover for the whole year, especially if you spend the majority of your time at university where you might not need a car. Therefore, it’s worth considering only paying for insurance when you need it, such as short term car insurance.
What levels of temporary car insurance are available?
The minimum level of cover for all drivers in the UK is third party car insurance.
Third party. If you’re responsible for causing an accident, you’ll be covered for damage to third party vehicles or property. However, it won’t cover any damage to your own car.
Third party fire and theft. This will give the same level of cover as third party but will also provide protection against any fire damage to your car or theft of your car.
Comprehensive. This gives the same protection as the lower levels as well as protecting your vehicle against accidental damage and vandalism. It might be cheaper than third party or third party fire and theft, so always check.
What are the benefits of temporary car insurance for students?
Temporary car insurance can offer several benefits over a standard annual car insurance policy. Consider the following:
Flexible policy terms. If you’re busy at university and only need to use a car during breaks then being able to choose how long you need cover, for example, from a few hours up to a month, offers the most flexibility.
No claims bonus protection. Adding a temporary car insurance policy to the car owner’s annual car insurance policy will provide added protection and peace of mind. If you need to make a claim, you would claim through your own temporary policy, which wouldn’t affect the car owner’s annual policy or any built-up no claims bonus they may have.
Save money. By only paying for what you need, you’ll save money rather than simply having an annual policy.
Designed for students. Some insurance providers specifically offer temporary car insurance for students, which could be more affordable. You may need to provide additional information to prove you’re a student.
This is the latest available (2016) annual data showing premiums and claims for different age groups, from the Association of British Insurers.
Average car insurance premiums by age group
Average premiums and claims
What do I need to get temporary car insurance as a student?
The requirements will vary depending on which insurance provider is able to offer you temporary car insurance but you’ll usually need to provide the following:
Personal details such as name, address and contact details
Provide a valid UK driving licence held for at least 12 months with no more than 8 penalty points
Information about the car you want to insure on a temporary basis
The intended dates and duration you would like to take out car insurance for
Frequently asked questions
No. By law, you’ll need at least third party car insurance to be on UK roads. Ignoring this could lead to you being charged with an offence.
Yes, but you may need to shop around. You’ll also need to clearly explain to the insurance provider that you don’t own the car and you’re not the registered keeper of it.
No. Unless you’re a mature student, most students are both young and new to driving and will pay more than older, more experienced drivers. As young drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, their risk is higher, which can result in higher premiums. Compare your options to find the best deal.
Possibly. You’ll need to shop around to see which providers will offer temporary car insurance for learner drivers. Short-term cover can often be added onto the majority of existing policies. For example, if you’re practicing your driving skills in a car that belongs to your mum, dad, guardian, partner or friend, you’ll be able to add additional temporary cover anywhere from as little as 2 hours up to a period of 90 days. This will allow you to legally drive while you learn, as long as you drive with someone over the age of 21 in the car, with a full UK licence, held for at least 3 years. Check the details of any policies carefully to ensure you’re properly covered.
No, not necessarily. You’ll have plenty of options but the premiums will generally be higher. While some car insurance providers may have higher premiums for drivers that are students, other providers may actually design car insurance specifically for students. It’s always worth shopping around.
Yes, but age is not the only factor taken into consideration when calculating your insurance premium. The make and model of your car, your location and your annual mileage as well as other factors are all assessed. Young drivers are generally considered the most at risk on the road so face higher premiums as a result. Even though new drivers may have little experience, not all will be bad drivers. Opting for a telematics policy if you’re a safe and careful driver could actually save you money.
No, not always. The cheapest car insurance policy may not offer you the best cover. Shop around and remember to compare the benefits, features and conditions of each policy rather than looking at the price alone. By understanding what the policy offers in relation to what you require, you could end up saving money and getting the best car insurance policy for you.
Finder survey: What proportion of Brits let their car insurance auto-renew in the last 3 years?
Response
55+
45-54
35-44
25-34
16-24
No
50.42%
43.86%
44.07%
40.99%
33.01%
I don't have car insurance
25.48%
21.05%
23.31%
24.22%
32.04%
Yes
24.1%
35.09%
32.63%
34.78%
34.95%
Source: Finder survey by Censuswide of 1032 Brits, December 2023
The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is subject to our terms of use. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
*Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (July ’24). 51% of car insurance customers could save £523.17
Esther Wolffowitz was a publisher at finder.com specialising in insurance. Esther holds an MSc in Media and Communication Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). See full bio
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