Existing Customer Portal

9th March 2021

How short term insurance could save you from being fined

There’s a variety of reasons why short term insurance is handy, from moving home to travelling abroad. Here’s a list of reasons why you should take out a policy.

Car Insurance from just £125 per year

There’s never a good time to be caught unprepared. Whether you need to borrow a mates van or you’re a student coming home from university and wish to use the family car during the holidays, there’s a plethora of reasons why short term insurance is incredibly handy. 

Understanding the need for flexibility, Sterling has created a short term app, designed to offer flexible car cover for every conceivable – and inconceivable – circumstance. So, just what is short term car Insurance?

What is short term insurance?

There may be occasions when you only need car or van insurance for a short period of time, such as a day, a week or a month. That’s where short-term insurance comes in handy. Drivers will be covered during the short-term without having to buy a year’s policy worth of cover.

Whether you’re borrowing a friend’s van, learning to drive or sharing the driving on a long journey Sterling can find the right cover for you. We cover a wide variety of vehicles and drivers. 

How long does short-term car insurance cover me for?

Short-term car insurance usually lasts between one day and 30 days, but some policies can extend to several months.

When do I need short-term car insurance?

Short term insurance is handy if you need temporary cover for the following reasons: 

  • Using a car for a short time while learning to drive
  • Collecting or driving a vehicle that belongs to a friend or relative
  • Hiring a vehicle for a road trip
  • Borrowing a friend or family members car
  • If you’re a student looking to use a family vehicle while home for the holidays
  • Driving a vehicle such as a classic car during the warm months
  • In an emergency in which you need to drive someone else’s car to a hospital

What does short-term car insurance cover me for?

When you take out a short-term car insurance policy, you’ll usually be given fully comprehensive cover as standard – though some providers may also offer third-party and third-party, fire and theft as alternative options.

Having fully comprehensive car insurance means you’ll be covered for damage you do to a third-party, their vehicle or their property, as well as loss, damage and theft of the car you’re insuring.

What extra cover can I get with a short-term car insurance policy?

In most cases you should be able to add the following on to your policy:

  • Green card cover: This gives you short-term cover for driving in Europe.
  • Breakdown cover: This pays out for any recovery or call out costs you might face if your vehicle breaks down during your journey.
  • Additional drivers: You can usually add additional drivers to your short term policy.

Driving without insurance

Driving without insurance is illegal and will get you in serious trouble. Those found to be driving without insurance can face a fixed penalty of £300 and up to six points on your licence. If the case goes to court you could land yourself an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving. 

The police could also seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that’s being driven uninsured.

Get short term insurance from Sterling

If you’re looking for affordable short term insurance, give us a call on 0344 381 9990 for a quote. We offer temporary car insurance with all the great benefits that come with our annual policies, whether you need it for a few days or a number of months.

Related blog posts