In today’s fast-paced world, temporary car insurance has become an increasingly popular choice for drivers who need flexible, short-term coverage. Whether you’re borrowing a car, test-driving a vehicle, or need insurance for a specific trip, companies like Zixty, Tempcover, Cuvva, GoShorty, and Dayinsure provide tailored solutions.
In this guide we’ll compare these five providers, exploring their features, eligibility criteria, pros and cons, and pricing structures. Spoiler alert: one of the providers is us (you probably realised if you’re reading this on the Zixty website!).
Our intention is to offer a fair, impartial comparison of these temporary car insurance providers. In order to do that, we have used data from each of the providers’ websites. If you believe something is incorrect or misleading, please contact us and we will take your comments into consideration when updating the article. So, with that out of the way, let’s dive in!
Top five temporary car insurance providers
| Feature | Zixty | Tempcover | Cuvva | GoShorty | Dayinsure |
| Driver Age Range | 17 to 75 private cars; 17+ learners | 17 to 77, depending on product | 19 to 70 private cars; learners 17 to 50; 25-75 motorhome | 21 to 75 private car and commercial; 17-75 learners; 28-70 motorhome | 18 to 75 private cars; 17-50 learners; 25-75 motorhome |
| Licence Requirement | Full UK; UK provisional for learners | UK or EU; UK provisional for learners | UK or accepted international licence (6+ months) | UK or EU/EEA, subject to insurer criteria | Full GB (6+ months; 3 months if over 25) |
| Car Value Limit | Up to £65,000 | Up to £65,000 | Up to £60,000 (£30,000 for learners) | Up to £65,000 | Up to £75,000 |
| Coverage Duration | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 30 days |
| Platform | App and web | App and web | App only | App and web | App and web |
| Provisional Cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Commercial Vehicle Cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Impound Cover | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| EU Licence Accepted | No | Yes | Most EU countries; see accepted list | Yes, subject to insurer criteria | No for standard car cover |
| European Cover | (Third party only) | (Third party only) | (Third party only) | (Third party only) | Optional |
| Noteworthy | Cars & vans; FREE carbon offsetting | Cars, vans, motorhomes | Cars, vans, motorhomes | Cars, vans, motorhomes | Cars, vans, motorhomes |
This table summarises published criteria, rather than guaranteeing cover. Age, licence, vehicle value and learner-cover limits vary by product and insurer. Please check each provider’s website and quotation for the full requirements.
There are other providers offering this type of cover within the UK motor insurance industry.
Cuvva
Cuvva has an app-first approach, catering to drivers who prefer a fully digital experience.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days
- Entirely app-based platform
- Instant policy issuance and management
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 19 to 70 for cars, 21 to 70 for vans, and 25 to 75 for campervans and motorhomes. Learner drivers: 17 to 50.
- Licence requirement: UK or accepted international full licence held for at least 6 months. Under-21s usually need 6 months’ driving experience.
- Vehicle value: Up to £60k for cars (£30k for learners), £40k for vans and up to £75k for motorhomes
Advantages:
- User-friendly app experience
- Flexible and extendable policy durations
Considerations:
- You have to download the app – no website quote journey
- Photo of vehicle required prior to cover
- Full licence must have been held for at least 6 months. International licence policies are limited to 7 days.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Dayinsure
Dayinsure is a long-established player, known for its comprehensive coverage and straightforward online platform.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 30 days.
- Offers European cover and policies for cars, vans, and motorhomes.
- Simple online platform for purchasing and managing policies.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 18 to 75 for cars, subject to underwriting criteria. Learner cover: 17 to 50.
- Licence requirement: Full GB driving licence held for at least 6 months, or 3 months if aged over 25.
- Vehicle value: Up to £75,000.
Advantages:
- Established reputation for reliability.
- Comprehensive coverage options, including European policies.
- Covers a wide range of vehicles.
- 30 day cover is more than other providers
Considerations:
- Premiums can be higher for younger drivers.
- Smaller insurer panel than others.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
GoShorty
GoShorty offers competitive pricing and caters to a variety of needs, from temporary car insurance to short-term commercial vehicle coverage.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days.
- Covers cars and vans (including commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes).
- Covers motorhomes
- Policies available for both personal and commercial use.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 21 to 75 on standard cars and commercial vehicles; 28 to 70 on motorhomes. Learner driver cover 17 to 75 years old
- Licence requirement: Full UK or EU/EEA licence, subject to the selected insurer’s conditions. Minimum licence duration and residency requirements vary.
- Vehicle value: Up to £65,000.
Advantages:
- Minimum value cars and vans: £1, subject to age restrictions
- An additional driver may be available on selected policies, subject to insurer restrictions.
- Broad vehicle and driver eligibility.
Considerations:
- Loyalty points appear to be app-exclusive, so customers may need to download the app to get the full GoShorty experience.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Tempcover
Tempcover is a trusted name in temporary insurance with over 15 years of experience. It caters to a wide audience, offering a fast and straightforward quote process.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days.
- Wide range of vehicle types covered, including cars, vans, and motorhomes.
- Quick quote process via website.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 17 to 77, depending on the temporary insurance product selected.
- Licence requirement: UK or EU driving licence, or UK provisional licence for learner cover.
- Vehicle value: Up to £65,000.
Advantages:
- Covers multiple vehicle types.
- Reliable and well-established provider.
- App and web journey available.
Considerations:
- £1,500 minimum car value.
- App experience is not as refined as some competitors.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Zixty
Zixty is a modern, eco-conscious insurance provider offering temporary cover for cars and vans. It stands out for its sustainability-focused approach, offering the optional Zixty Miles programme through its app.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days.
- Optional Zixty Miles programme in the app, covering up to 100 miles per insured day at no extra cost.
- App- and web-based platform for quick policy management.
- Covers cars and vans.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 17 to 75 for private cars, 21+ for commercial vehicles, and 17+ for learner cover.
- Licence requirement: Full UK or UK provisional licence. Drivers under 21 must have held their UK licence for at least 3 months; no minimum duration applies from age 21. UK residency of at least 12 months is required.
- Vehicle value: Up to £65,000.
Advantages:
- Appeals to environmentally conscious drivers.
- Discount available if using the app.
- Streamlined quote journey on both web and app.
Considerations:
- No motorbike cover.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Conclusion
Temporary car insurance has become an essential tool for drivers needing flexibility, and the range of providers available today ensures there’s an option for everyone. Ultimately, which provider you go with will depend on your specific needs and circumstances.
We hope this guide has provided clarity and helped you navigate the temporary insurance landscape. If you’re ready to make an informed decision, be sure to check each provider’s website for the latest eligibility criteria and offerings. And if you value sustainability alongside comprehensive cover, why not give Zixty a try? With our carbon-offsetting commitment, you’ll not only be insured but also contribute to a greener planet. Safe travels!
While you’re here, why not check out our articles on the best commercial vehicle insurers and the best learner drivers insurance providers. We cover both annual and temporary car insurance providers to help you make an informed choice.
Eligibility information checked against providers’ published criteria on 13 October 2026. Requirements vary by insurer, vehicle and product; a quotation confirms individual eligibility.
Environment and sharing economy
If you’re concerned about how driving impacts your carbon footprint, we understand you completely. Where possible, we recommend travelling by public transport. However, when that’s not practical, borrowing a vehicle rather than owning one can at least reduce your carbon footprint – according to one study, car sharing for every shared vehicle, between 9 to 13 privately owned cars are removed from the road. Pretty awesome if you ask us! Furthermore, here’s a little extra bonus for you: If you sign up for our Zixty Miles program in the app, we plant enough trees to offset up to 100 miles of your journey each day you’re insured with us.
