Damage to your car
Caused by theft, vandalism, fire, or damage sustained in an accident
What is temporary van insurance?
Temporary van insurance, also known as day van insurance, is van insurance cover you can take out to drive a van for a short period of time. Cover can be set to last between a few hours and a few weeks, depending on insurance providers and where you get cover from.
How does temporary van insurance work?
A temporary van insurance policy will work in much the same way as standard cover, except that it only lasts for a short period of time rather than offering protection for the full year. You’ll be able to take out a van insurance policy that will cover you for a set number of hours, days, weeks or even months at a time.
When would I need short term van cover?
You may find a short-term insurance or temporary van insurance policy is more useful and cost effective than annual cover if you need the vehicle for:
-
Moving home
If you’re moving or helping someone else move house, using your own van can be cheaper than a removal company – just ensure you have the right protection for your possessions while moving too
-
Transporting large items
You might also need short-term cover for a van if you’re using it to transport large items you’ve bought or sold – but again make sure you have the right cover for the items themselves
-
A road trip
Road trips are always fun, but if you’re sharing the driving burden then you might want to take out a temporary van insurance policy, to ensure everyone is covered to get behind the wheel for their fair share
-
Buying a new van
If you’re buying a new van, you may need to take out temporary cover to test drive potential vehicles, as well as to drive it home from the seller before you sort your annual policy out
-
Young driver
Young drivers often pay more for cover, owing to their lack of experience on the road. If you’re looking to get insured on a van but you don’t want a full policy, short-term cover may be a cheaper alternative. It's also a good option for learner drivers with a provisional driving licence.
-
A van for work
If you own or work for a small business, you may need a van temporarily to transport goods or equipment. You can also get insurance for employees or contractors that need a van for business use
Pros and cons of temporary van insurance cover
Temporary van insurance can be a useful alternative to full annual policies if you don’t need the full year of cover – but it does have drawbacks you should also consider:
-
Pros:
You’ll be able to take out insurance for hours, days, or weeks, paying only for the cover you need
Domestic cover will usually be fully comprehensive as standard
Most policies also include third-party cover for driving in the EU
-
Cons:
The overall cost of cover may be more expensive than an annual policy
It might not be as convenient if you need cover multiple times a year
What’s covered by temporary van insurance?
As most temporary van insurance policies will included fully comprehensive cover as standard, you will generally be covered for:
-
-
Third-party damage
Damage to a third party, their vehicle or their property, and any resulting claims
-
Personal belongings
Any personal items you keep in the van, such as a sat nav or sunglasses
-
Driving abroad
Many policies will also include third-party cover for driving in the EU
What extras can I get with temporary van cover?
Like any other motor insurance policy, you’ll have the option of adding extra features to your van insurance quote – however you’ll likely need to pay a little extra if they aren’t already included as standard.
Breakdown cover: If your van breaks down while you’re on the road, this will cover the cost of calling for roadside assistance
Motor legal protection: Sometimes called legal cover, this will cover a range of legal costs you might face if someone makes a claim against you
Personal accident: A personal accident policy offers a pay out if you’re seriously injured or killed in a road accident
What are the alternatives to temporary van insurance?
If temporary van insurance doesn’t quite meet your needs, you might want to consider these alternatives:
-
Becoming a named driver
If you need cover for driving a van you don’t own, instead of taking out your own policy you can get yourself added to the driver’s existing cover as a ‘named driver’ – but this will cause the policy holder’s premiums to increase
-
Add the van to another policy
If you already have motor insurance, you may be able to add the van to your existing policy for a set period of time – it’s worth contacting your insurer to check your options, but again your premiums will almost certainly go up
How do I get a temporary van insurance quote?
Finding a temporary van insurance policy is quick and easy when you compare policies with MoneySuperMarket and our preferred partner Safely Insured.
-
Tell us about yourself
Give us a few details about yourself, your van, and how you use it
-
How long you need cover
Choose how long you want your temporary policy to last
-
Get yourself covered
Compare quotes from a range of providers to find the deal you want
How much does temporary van insurance cost?
Temporary van insurance policies are a cheaper alternative than buying annual cover if you only need to use your van for a short space of time – this is because you only pay for insurance when it’s required.
However the actual cost of your policy will depend on a number of factors, including:
-
Your age
Insurers generally charge older drivers less for cover, as they’re statistically less likely to be involved in a road accident than younger drivers
-
Your van
Bigger and more powerful vans are harder to control and therefore more dangerous on the road – so insurers charge more to cover these vehicles
-
Your driving history
If you have a history of claims or driving convictions these are likely to increase your insurance costs, even for temporary cover
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Our expert says…
Temporary van insurance offers greater flexibility when buying cover, so you don’t need to spend money on an annual policy if you only need it for a few days or weeks. But it’s always important to compare your options, so you can be confident that you’re getting a good deal – that’s why we offer a comparison with Safely Insured, helping you find affordable short-term van insurance.
Sara Newell Motor & Home Insurance Expert
Van insurance guides and expert tips:
Am I eligible for temporary van insurance?
Whether or not you’ll qualify for a temporary van insurance policy will depend on the provider and their requirements. For example:
The minimum age for the policy is likely to be 17, but some providers may ask that you be at least 18 or 21
You may need to have held your driving licence for a certain amount of time
The provider could also require that you have no criminal convictions or no more than a certain number of penalty points on your licence
Your van will likely have to meet certain requirements too, such as gross vehicle weight, number of seats, modifications and market value
Can I get temporary cover for driving someone else’s van?
Yes, you should be able to take out temporary van insurance to drive someone else’s van.
Can someone else get temporary cover for driving my van?
You should also be able to get temporary cover for someone else driving a van that belongs to you.
How do I claim on a temporary van insurance policy?
The claim process should be the same as any other motor insurance policy – depending on your provider, you should be able to claim online, by phone or by postal form.
Can I get temporary cover for driving my van abroad?
Most temporary policies will include third-party cover for driving in the EU, while also offering the option to upgrade this to fully comprehensive. This cover may not extend to places outside of the EU – you should ask your insurer.
Can I have multiple drivers on a temporary van insurance policy?
You should be able to have more than one driver on a temporary insurance policy – it’s worth asking your insurer to be sure.
What types of van can I insure?
Most providers will offer cover for a range of vans and van types – such as:
Pick-ups
Box vans
Luton vans
Tippers
Motorhomes and caravans
Horseboxes
Can I get a van and car on one policy?
Some providers might offer cover for vans and cars, and potentially other types of vehicles, all on one policy – it’s worth getting in touch with your current provider to find out what they offer.
How can I get cheaper temporary van insurance?
There are certain things you can do to try and lower the cost of temporary van insurance, such as:
Paying more excess: If you can volunteer a higher excess fee, you’ll indicate to insurers that you’ll be unlikely to make small claims that won’t be worth the cost – lowering your risk
Pick your van wisely: Vans in higher insurance groups are generally bigger and more powerful, and as such they’re more expensive to insure. Picking a smaller van is likely to be cheaper
How does MoneySuperMarket make money?
We get paid by the companies we work with, but the payment we get doesn’t have any bearing on the information we provide. We get paid in different ways, depending on the type of product or service you buy through us. Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible, but we only show results from our partner providers.
Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is van insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy van insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is van insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, van insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £20
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 19 Dec 2025