One Day Car Insurance

Can you get car insurance for a day?

Yes — you can get fully comprehensive car insurance for a single day in the UK. A one-day policy typically costs around £34 and you can be covered within minutes of applying online. You only pay for the exact cover you need, and any claims are handled separately from your annual policy so your no claims discount stays protected.

Day insurance is available for cars, vans and motorbikes. If you need cover for longer, providers also offer policies from 1 hour up to 1 month or 6 months. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, you must have at least third-party insurance to drive any vehicle on UK roads.

How much is car insurance for one day in the UK?

The cost of a one day policy depends on your risk to the insurer. You will likely pay more per day if you take out one day insurance on your car. However, when compared to being added as a named driver on an annual policy, you could be saving significantly. 

Because each driver has a unique risk profile, one of the fastest ways to find out what your insurance cost will be is to compare personalised quotes. However, these averages* can give you a general overview of the cost of insuring a car for the day. 

How short-term cover is priced in the UK

Pricing for one day works very differently from an annual policy. Short-term insurers calculate your premium for the exact period you need. A single day costs a fraction of a yearly policy. But the cost-per-day is usually higher than splitting an annual premium across 365 days. Most one day car insurance policies for a typical 30-something driver sit between £20 and £50, depending on the car and your circumstances.

Day insurance providers also weight the price using factors beyond the standard ones (your age, vehicle and claims history). The big additional levers are:

• Postcode and area risk – postcodes with higher theft and accident rates push premiums up. The ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker shows London and the North West typically pay more than rural areas.
• Time of day and journey purpose – cover that includes overnight driving or a long motorway trip can be priced higher than a short daytime journey within your local area.
• Licence type and length held – full UK licence holders pay less than provisional licence holders, and a longer-held licence reduces your premium. New drivers are accepted but rates are higher.
• Excess level you choose – a higher voluntary excess lowers the upfront cost of the policy, but means you pay more out of pocket if you claim.
• The car’s insurance group – vehicles in Thatcham’s 1–50 insurance grouping system attract very different prices. A group 5 hatchback costs much less to insure for a day than a group 35 performance car.

Because every insurer weights these factors differently, comparing quotes is the only reliable way to find a competitive price. Quotezone runs your details past a panel of UK short-term insurance providers in one go. You see what each will charge for your exact day, your exact car and your exact licence.

Daily cover vs adding a named driver: which is cheaper?

Need to drive a friend or family member’s car for a day? You have two main options. Take out your own daily car insurance policy, or get added to their annual policy as a temporary named driver. They sound similar but work very differently.

A short-term day policy is held in your name and runs for the exact hours you need (1 hour up to 28 days). Any claim you make sits on your record – not the car owner’s. That keeps their no claims discount intact. Adding you to an annual policy is different: the claim goes on the owner’s record and can permanently raise their renewal price.

Cost-wise, day insurance usually wins for short borrowing. Annual insurers often charge a fee to add a temporary driver, plus a premium uplift for the period. If you’re only driving the car for one day, that admin charge can outweigh any saving. A standalone temporary car insurance policy avoids the paperwork on the owner’s side completely.

Short-term cover also works where a named-driver add isn’t practical. If you’re a young driver borrowing a parent’s car, a younger driver’s annual premium impact can be substantial – temporary insurance for young drivers is often cheaper. The same applies to temporary insurance for learner drivers who need cover to practise in a relative’s car. And if you’re driving in Northern Ireland, only a handful of insurers cover NI postcodes – comparing day policies is the fastest way to find one.