Insurance

Annual vs temporary car insurance: Which is right for you?

Is it worth getting temp or paying annually?

Ryan Barham

Ryan Barham

Last updated: 28/08/2025

Annual vs temporary car insurance: Which is right for you?

Annual vs temporary car insurance

Annual

Temporary

Cover level

Comprehensive, third party or third party, fire and theft

Comprehensive as standard (third party for European policies)

No Claims

Will be affected in event of a claim

No impact on owner’s discount in event of a claim

Adding a new driver

Can increase the cost of the policy

No impact on annual policy

Time duration

365 days

One hour to 28 days

Time taken to get a quote

Varies depending on research, amends and policy

Under 2 minutes

Have you ever needed a vehicle, but only for a short amount of time? Temporary car insurance could be the answer. Whether borrowing one with more space or needing to get around while yours is in the garage for repairs or an MOT, there’s cover for every moment.

Some people who rarely drive may even find it cost-effective to take out temporary car insurance on the occasions they drive, rather than paying for a year’s worth of cover. If you are one of them, just make sure your car is registered SORN when there’s no insurance.

When would I need annual car insurance?

Regular drivers and vehicle owners may find an annual policy fits their needs better. This is because paying yearly - either in one payment or monthly segments - can work out cheaper overall and provide peace of mind whenever you drive.

Annual insurance also allows you to build up a no claims discount for every year you drive without making a claim. This can contribute to significant savings in years to come. Temporary insurance has no impact on no claims.

There might also be a wider selection of add-ons available with an annual policy. At the moment, Tempcover offers breakdown assistance but with a year-long policy you may be able to get legal protection and no claims discount protection.

How do you get temporary car insurance?

It’s quick and easy to get temporary car insurance. Just head to Tempcover.com and do the following:

  • Click Get a quote and fill in some details about yourself, the vehicle and how long you need it
  • Check your quote to make sure you’re happy with it
  • Pay for your quote

Tempcover works with a range of insurers and will automatically offer you the cheapest and most suitable option for your needs.

Is it hard to get temporary car insurance?

It isn’t! Getting temporary car insurance is actually a quick and easy process, especially with Tempcover. Just be aware that eligibility depends on factors including your age, driving history and the vehicle itself. How old do you need to be for temporary car insurance? We cover drivers aged between 17 and 78.

Temporary insurance will expire at the time you suggest, but it’s simple to get another policy. Just follow the same process as above and you’ll soon be on the road again. Just be aware that annual car insurance is likely to be more cost-effective for long-term needs. Only need a car for a day, week or month? Try temporary car insurance.

Annual and temporary car insurance cater for different needs. There are positives for using both, depending on your individual driving habits. Factor in what you’re using the car for and how often before making a commitment to either.

Remember, even if you have a year’s worth of insurance, you can take out a comprehensive temporary car insurance policy to drive someone else’s car.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Temporary Car Insurance

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Annual vs temporary car insurance: Which is right for you? | Tempcover