Most car insurance policies run for a year, which isn't ideal if you don't need a car for that long. Thankfully, shorter term cover is available. We'll explain how it works and how to find the right policy.
In This Guide:
- Can I get car insurance for one month at a time?
- Do I need one month car insurance?
- When not to get temporary cover
- How much does one month car insurance cost?
- How do I get cheaper one month car insurance?
Can I get car insurance for one month at a time?
While standard car insurance policies last for a year, it is possible to get cover for up to 28 days at a time. 1 month car insurance provides a flexible cover option for people who may need insurance at short notice or for a short period of time, such as in an emergency, for a holiday or a weekend away.
How does one month car insurance work?
Short-term car insurance policies almost invariably offer fully comprehensive cover for the duration of the policy. During that time, cover works much as it would with an annual insurance policy.
Can I get cover for less than a month?
Temporary car insurance policies can be taken out for as little as one hour. For more information on the options available to you, head over to our page on short term car insurance.
Do I need one month car insurance?
There are a number of potential reasons why you might need car insurance for a month at a time, rather than a standard insurance policy. Here are a few situations in which a 1 month car insurance policy would the most suitable option for cover:
- Borrowing a car – if you need to borrow a friend or family member's car for a road trip or holiday, and their insurance policy doesn't cover you. Young drivers also may not own a car yet and so can use short-term insurance if they want to use it during school or university holidays.
- Lending out your car – if you want to lend your car to a friend or family member for less than 28 days.
- Driveaway insurance – if you want to test a car before you buy it, or you've just bought a car and haven't figured out a longer-term insurance plan yet.
- Emergency cover – if you need immediate access to a car in an emergency situation then you can get cover for as little as an hour.
When not to get temporary cover
Car insurance is a legal necessity if your car is on the road, even if you're not driving it. What you can't do is leave your car parked, and take out temporary insurance for a month at a time whenever you need to drive it. Unless you take out a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), registering your car as off road, it needs to be insured at all times.
If you don't use your car regularly, you can opt for a low mileage insurance policy that might be cheaper than a standard plan, but you'll need cover at all times.
How much does one month car insurance cost?
Exact costs are difficult to estimate as temporary car insurance premiums vary based on your car, your driving history, and of course the length of cover you need.
Short-term cover is usually more expensive per day (or per month) than annual car insurance. But if you're only using your car for a short period of time, then you're still better off getting temporary cover for a month at a time than you would be paying for a whole year on an annual policy.
How do I get cheaper one month car insurance?
Here are a few useful tips to help you find a cheaper insurance policy for your 1 month car insurance
- Shop around – make sure that you compare plenty of different quotes from different insurance providers. This way you will increase your chances of finding a good quote.
- Black box – telematics insurance policies provide fairer prices by monitoring how you drive through a device fitted to your vehicle.
- Advanced learning – you can improve your driving skills after you pass your driving test by paying for specialised driving courses, such as the government's Pass Plus scheme. Insurers may see you as a lower risk driver if you can provide evidence of completing an advanced driving course, reducing the cost of your insurance policy.
- Voluntary excess – when you claim on insurance, the first part of the claim is paid by you. By increasing this excess, you can decrease your premium. However, make sure that you can afford the amount of excess you choose.
