One-day car insurance lets you insure a vehicle for a single day without committing to a full policy
One-day motor insurance is a short-term policy that covers you to drive a car for 24 hours. You buy it online or by phone, receive cover within minutes, and the policy expires at midnight on the day you choose. The main insurers offering this are Cuvva, Dayinsure, and Tempcover, though some traditional insurers like Direct Line and Admiral also sell single-day policies through their websites.
The cost typically ranges from £5 to £20 per day depending on the car, your age, driving history, and the level of cover you select. You pay upfront, and there is no refund if you do not use the full 24 hours. The policy covers third-party liability (damage you cause to other people or their property) as standard, and you can add collision cover, theft cover, and windscreen cover for extra cost.
One-day insurance is not a replacement for regular cover — it is designed for specific situations where you need to drive a car temporarily, such as borrowing a friend's vehicle, test-driving a car you are thinking of buying, or covering a gap between policies.
Key Takeaways
- One-day policies cover you for exactly 24 hours from the time you buy them, and you must be at least 18 years old with a valid UK driving licence to purchase one.
- The cost depends on the vehicle, your age, and your claims history, and you pay the full amount upfront with no refund for unused hours.
- Third-party cover is included as standard, but you can add collision, theft, and windscreen cover for an additional fee.
- You cannot use one-day insurance to cover a vehicle you own permanently or to replace a lapsed policy on your own car.
- The policy is issued when ready online or by phone, and you receive proof of cover when ready so you can drive straight away.
Who can buy one-day motor insurance
To buy one-day insurance, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid UK driving licence, and have been driving for a minimum of one year in most cases. Some providers accept drivers with less experience but charge higher premiums. If you have had an accident, conviction, or claim in the past three years, you can still buy cover, but the price will be higher.
You cannot buy one-day insurance if you are disqualified from driving, if your licence is suspended, or if you have never held a full licence. Learner drivers and provisional licence holders are not covered by any one-day policy.
The car you want to insure must be roadworthy, registered at the DVLA, and have a valid MOT certificate (if it is over three years old). You cannot insure a vehicle that is written off, has outstanding finance that you do not own, or is being used for hire or reward (such as driving for a taxi service).
What one-day insurance covers and what it does not
Third-party liability is included in every one-day policy. This covers damage you cause to other people's vehicles, property, or injuries to other people. It does not cover damage to the car you are driving or your own injuries.
If you add collision cover (sometimes called comprehensive or fully comprehensive), you are also covered for damage to the car you are driving caused by an accident, theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. You will pay an excess (usually £250 to £500) if you make a claim. Windscreen cover can be added separately and typically costs £2 to £5 extra per day.
One-day insurance does not cover wear and tear, mechanical breakdown, or damage caused by poor maintenance. It does not cover driving outside the UK, and it does not cover any passengers you carry unless you specifically add passenger cover when you buy the policy. If you are caught driving without insurance, the police can seize the vehicle, and you face a fine and points on your licence.
Common situations where one-day insurance makes sense
The most common use is borrowing a friend or family member's car. If their policy does not extend to named drivers or if you are not listed on it, one-day insurance covers you legally for that single journey or day. You should always check the car owner's policy first — some policies automatically cover other drivers, and buying one-day cover on top would be unnecessary.
Test-driving a car from a private seller or small dealer is another typical scenario. The seller's insurance usually does not cover test drives by potential buyers, so one-day cover protects you if you cause an accident during the drive. Dealerships usually provide their own cover for test drives, so check before you buy.
If your regular car insurance lapses and you need to drive before a new policy starts, one-day insurance can bridge the gap. This is legal and common, though it is more expensive than buying a longer-term policy. If you are waiting for a new car to arrive and need to drive a courtesy vehicle from the dealer, one-day cover may be cheaper than adding it to your main policy.
How to buy one-day motor insurance
The process takes 5 to 10 minutes. You visit the provider's website or call them, enter your personal details (name, date of birth, driving licence number), and details of the car (registration number, make, model). You then choose your cover level (third-party only or with collision cover) and any add-ons like windscreen cover.
The system calculates a price based on your age, driving history, and the vehicle. You pay by debit or credit card, and you receive a confirmation email with your policy document and proof of cover. You can then drive when ready — there is no waiting period. If you buy before midnight, your 24-hour cover runs from the time of purchase until midnight the following day.
If you need to cancel within 14 days, most providers offer a refund, but you lose the refund if you have already driven the car or made a claim. Always read the cancellation terms before you buy, as they vary between providers.
How one-day insurance compares to other short-term options
A temporary car insurance policy (also called short-term insurance) typically covers 7, 14, or 28 days and costs less per day than one-day cover. If you know you will need cover for more than one day, a 7-day policy is usually better value. For example, a 7-day policy might cost £25 to £40 total, whereas seven separate one-day policies could cost £35 to £140.
Adding a named driver to someone else's existing policy is free or costs a small admin fee, but it requires the policy holder's agreement and takes a few hours to process. It is the cheapest option if the car owner is willing and their insurer allows it.
If you are borrowing a car regularly (more than once a month), it is cheaper to arrange a longer-term temporary policy or to be added as a named driver. One-day insurance is most cost-effective for occasional, unplanned use.
| Option | Duration | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-day insurance | 24 hours | £5–£20 | Single, unplanned journeys |
| 7-day temporary policy | 7 days | £25–£50 | Short trips or gaps between policies |
| Named driver on existing policy | Ongoing | Free or small fee | Regular borrowing with owner's agreement |
| Annual policy | 12 months | £300–£1,500 | Permanent or frequent use |
What to check before you buy one-day insurance
Always verify that the car owner's policy does not already cover you as a driver. Many policies automatically extend to other drivers aged 25 and over, and buying one-day cover on top wastes money. Call the car owner's insurer or check their policy document to confirm.
Check the car's MOT status and registration at the DVLA website before you buy. If the MOT has expired or the car is not registered, the insurance will not be valid, and you will be driving uninsured. Confirm the exact registration number and vehicle details with the car owner, as any mismatch will invalidate the policy.
Read the excess amount carefully. If you cause an accident and claim, you will pay this amount out of pocket. Some policies have a higher excess for drivers under 25 or for certain types of damage. Understand what is and is not covered — third-party only policies do not cover damage to the car you are driving, so if you cause an accident, you will have to pay for repairs yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one-day insurance on a car I own?
No. One-day insurance is designed for vehicles you do not own. If you own the car, you need a standard annual policy or a longer-term temporary policy. Using one-day insurance to cover a car you own is against the terms of the policy and will invalidate your cover.
What happens if I do not use the full 24 hours?
You cannot get a refund for unused hours. You pay for the full 24-hour period regardless of how long you actually drive. If you only need cover for a few hours, one-day insurance is still the cheapest option, but you should factor in the full cost when deciding whether to buy it.
Can I extend my one-day insurance if I need more time?
No. Once your 24 hours expire, the policy ends. If you need more cover, you must buy a new policy. Some providers allow you to buy a new one-day policy when ready after the first expires, but there is a gap of a few minutes while the old policy ends and the new one starts, during which you are uninsured.
Will one-day insurance affect my no-claims discount?
One-day policies are separate from your main car insurance, so they do not affect your no-claims discount on your regular policy. If you make a claim on one-day insurance, it will not show on your main policy record, though you should declare it when you renew your annual policy.
What if I have points on my licence or a previous accident?
You can still buy one-day insurance, but the cost will be higher. Providers assess your risk based on your driving history, and any accidents, convictions, or claims in the past three to five years will increase the premium. Get a quote to see the exact price before you commit to buying.