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How to navigate temporary car insurance and more

The definitive collection of guides and articles that answer many commonly asked questions about temporary car insurance. As well as looking at insurance we also take a look into wider subjects like buying, owning, running, and selling a car. Money is a precious commodity, and we hope that we can help you save money – to enjoy on the good things in life! With these articles we’re setting out to help you save money and make good choices.

Just how do you find van insurance for young drivers?

If you’ve recently passed your driving test and are under 21, finding realistically priced van insurance can seem like an impossible quest. There’s no getting away from it – van insurance when you’re younger can be pricey, but with some planning and graft, it can be possible. A few minutes checking out our article about how to find cheap van insurance for young drivers could be time well spent.

10 essential tips for buying a car privately

Buying a used car can be a daunting exercise, especially if you’re unfamiliar with cars. To take some of the stress out of what should be an enjoyable experience, we’ve pulled together 10 Top Tips for buying a used car privately in the UK.

10 top tips for selling your car

Selling your car at the best price is all about preparation, creativity, and honesty. In our latest guide to helping you save money, we look at 10 Top Tips for selling your car at the best price.

How do I find out if my car is insured?

If you’re the forgetful sort, and you need to find out if your car is insured, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a quick, easy, and free way to find out. Just head over to our handy article about the Ask MID website, and follow the simple instructions.

How does temporary car insurance work?

As a starter to 10, temporary car insurance is in the same family as annual car insurance. It allows you to drive legally in the UK, and is designed to cover the same sort of risks as annual car insurance – such as the car, other road users, theft, attempted theft and vandalism, and anything that might be involved in an incident. It’s just shorter, and more importantly lets you drive someone else’s car (with their permission). Intrigued? We thought you would be. Just how does temporary car insurance work?

How to find cheap short term car insurance

Price? Duration? eco credentials? Excess? Fees? There are many factors that come into play when working out how to choose temporary van insurance. Let us help you in this guide to finding short term van insurance.

How to choose temporary van insurance

Every penny counts these days – with prices of almost everything spiralling on a daily basis. So saving money on car insurance has never been more important for some people. “Cheap” doesn’t have to mean poor quality though, and price should only be one factor in buying a policy. So, just how do you find cheap short term car insurance – while being honest, AND getting a great product?

What are the benefits of temporary van insurance?

The cover offered by short term van insurance is the same as short term car insurance, but the times you might need it can be very different. Whether your van is off the road for a service, has been stolen or damaged, or you need to someone else to drive it, temporary van insurance offers a brilliant option. Let’s look at the benefits of temporary van insurance.

How to choose cheap day car insurance

Lots of our policies are for a day – being absolutely ideal for buying and selling cars, borrowing one to get job done, or enjoying the flexibility to get somewhere that public transport might not get you. But just how do you choose the best cheap day car insurance? It’s easy!

How to save money on car insurance

The cost of annual car insurance is rising fast, and the cost of living is equally rising at an alarming rate. Saving money on car insurance has never been more important, and driving without it is not an option. So, just how do you save money on car insurance? This could be one of the best reads today.

When might I need to consider temporary car insurance?

There are a number of reasons why someone might need temporary car insurance including borrowing a car for a special occasion, or if you need to test drive a car you are looking to buy. We’ve compiled a list of the top 6 reasons why you might need temporary car insurance.

How can temporary car insurance help me when buying or selling a car?

There are many perks of buying and selling cars with short term car insurance. For example, the flexibility of temporary cover allows you to take out a policy at short notice to test drive a new car or drive a car home.

How do I know whether app-based temporary car insurance is right for me?

With the many benefits that come with app-based insurance, there’s little reason why anyone shouldn’t try app-based temporary car insurance. All you need is a smartphone and a driver’s licence to get started.

Can you get day insurance on a car?

Yep – you can get day car insurance on a car. But not a lobster, or a marrow.

But it doesn’t stop there. It can be as little as an hour, and as long as 28 days. Want to know more? We hope so. Follow this exciting link for more.

Can I use short-term car insurance to test drive a car?

Yes you can! With short term car insurance, you can take out cover for a day or even just an hour. Here’s how to use short term car insurance to test drive a car.

How can temporary car insurance help you benefit from the sharing economy?

The sharing economy helps you do your bit for the economy whilst saving money. Temporary car insurance is ideal for when you are sharing a car between friends or family. Here’s how to use temporary car insurance to benefit from the sharing economy.

Having trouble deciding on what temporary car insurance policy is best for you?

Before diving head first into quotes, read our guide to comparing temporary car insurance to help you pick a product that suits your needs.

Deciding whether you should rent or borrow some wheels?

Renting a car can be appealing in a time of need, but borrowing a friend’s car could be cheaper and eco friendly! We’ve weighed up all the pros and cons of renting versus borrowing.

How do I save money on car insurance?

There are many legitimate ways to reduce your car insurance premium. We take a long look at ways to answer the question How do I save money on car insurance, as well as avoiding some of the pitfalls that could leave you with a major headache.

When should you start looking for car insurance?

People who renew their policies 15-29 days before their old policy is due to expire get the best quotes in the UK. Whether you are approaching the end of an existing policy or considering cover for a new purchase, timing is key when it comes to getting yourself the best car insurance deal. Get the low down on the timing for car insurance quotes in this handy guide.

How do car insurance apps work?

Car insurance apps make the job of getting a quote and buying a policy a cinch! Just download the app to your smartphone device, follow the necessary steps and it is possible to get cover in a matter of minutes! Read about the features you can expect with a car insurance app here.

What insurance do I need to drive a new car home?

Temporary car insurance is a great option if you are looking to drive a shiny new set of wheels off the forecourt or if you are taking a used car back home. Here’s how to use temporary car insurance to drive a new car home.

How can I use the the Google Maps’ eco-friendly routing feature to reduce my driving CO2 and get places on time?

The Google Maps’ eco-friendly routing feature will help you find the most fuel-efficient route to a destination, helping you save money and reduce your CO2 emissions. It is easy to get started, learn more here.

Can I use short term car insurance if I’m going abroad?

Short term car insurance policies will only cover the bare minimum whilst you are abroad. You will therefore usually be responsible for recovery, repair and repatriation costs of the car. For more information, refer to our guide to taking a car abroad with temporary car insurance.

How do I take a car abroad with short term car insurance?

Short term car insurance provides cover while travelling abroad in certain locations. There are restrictions as to what level of cover is provided, and you should check before planning travel and buying insurance. We take a detailed look at what to consider if you want to take your car abroad with short term car insurance.

Can temporary car insurance be used to take a car to an MOT?

Most temporary car insurance providers don’t offer cover to take your car to its MOT appointment if you haven’t already got a valid certificate in place. Here are some considerations if you are looking for day car insurance for an MOT.

Can I use short-term car insurance to tax my car?

Driving a new set of wheels away? There’s no need to rush into an annual commitment. If you’re looking for a solution, check out how short term insurance can be used to tax your car.

Can temporary car insurance be used to release a car from impound?

Temporary car insurance can not be used to release a car from impound. Instead, you will want to look out for car insurance providers that specialise in impound release or see if your former insurer can do anything for you. Read more here.

How does my job title affect my car insurance premium?

Job titles do affect your car insurance premium as they’re used to help calculate risk. Here’s all of your questions related to how your job title affects a car insurance premium covered.

How do I check my MOT status?

As an annual chore (if your car is over 3 years old) keeping on top of your MOT status can be easy to overlook. Happily there are plenty of tools to help keep you legally on the road. Why not check out our guide to checking your MOT, including setting up alerts.

How do I check to see if a car is insured?

If you want to know whether your car, or in fact any car in the UK, is insured you can use the Ask MID website for free. Just enter the reg and you’ll see whether the car is insured or not. It’s worth noting that it can take a few days for details of new policies and changes to policies to appear on MID.

How do I check to see if a car is taxed?

If you want to find out whether a car is taxed or not, the DVLA vehicle checker  website has a free service. Simply enter the reg, confirm the car make and colour, and there you go.

How do I register a car as SORN?

If you need to register a car as SORN, the DVLA Make a SORN website has a free service. Simply enter the reg, confirm the car make and colour, and there you go.

How do I check the MOT history for a car?

If you want to see the MOT history for a car, the DVLA MOT history website has a free service. Simply enter the reg, confirm the car make and colour, and there you go.

How do I find out the car group of a car?

The car group of a car is often used by car insurance providers when they are calculating the cost of providing cover. A car group is one way of putting the thousands of makes and models of cars into “buckets” – being a reflection of their performance, value, desirability of theft, the cost of repair, and much more. There are various free services, including Car Insurance Groups.

How can I get free MOT reminders?

If you’re worried that you might miss your next MOT, the DVLA MOT Reminder website offers a free service for private cars. Simply enter your details, complete the registration process, and off you go.

How can I check if a car is stolen?

There’s no sure-fire way of knowing for certain whether a car has been stolen, but there are some practical steps you can take to reduce the chance of buying a car that has been stolen. The DVLA car checks website offers a series of practical steps designed to give you more confidence that you’re parting with cash for something that you can own with confidence.

What is the virtual vehicle scam, and how can you spot it?

The virtual car scam uses fake car adverts to entice those looking for a new car, to “deposit” money with scammers. Avoid falling victim by checking out these helpful tips about the virtual car scam.

How can I spot the crash for cash scam?

Scammers stage crashes in order to extort money from unlucky victims. Here’s how to spot the crash for cash scam, and what to do if you think you’ve been caught by it.

How do I find out if a car can run on E10 petrol?

If you want to find out whether a car can run on E10 petrol or not, the DVLA E10 petrol checker website has a free service. Simply select the car make, and a list of models and their compatibility with E10 petrol will be shown.

How do I find out the CO2 emissions for a car?

If you want to find out the CO2 emissions for a car, the DVLA vehicle checker website has a free service. Simply enter the reg, confirm the car make and colour, and there you go.

How do I get a refund on my vehicle tax (vehicle excise duty)?

If you no longer need to tax your car, you can apply for a refund on your vehicle tax – otherwise known as Vehicle Excise Duty. Just visit the DVLA Vehicle Tax Refund website and follow the instructions.

How do I spot and avoid the Fake No Claim Discount (NCD) scam?

Scams affect all walks of life, and temporary car insurance is no different. You can’t buy a No Claim Discount (NCD) certificate, so if someone offers to sell you one, they’re trying to rip you off. Read all about the Fake NCD Certificate scam, how to spot it, and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.

How do I spot ghost brokers?

Ghost brokers often target inexperienced drivers, and those with a poor driving history – luring them in with the prospect of a cheap price. What they’re selling are fake certificates, leaving the target of the scam uninsured, at risk of fines, and seriously out of pocket. Our in-depth article on How to Spot Ghost Brokers will help you spot and avoid this illegal practice.

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