In today’s world, most people don’t get into a car and drive without some sort of car insurance. Depending on the risk drivers are willing to take, they may purchase a comprehensive car insurance policy, or simply a third-party policy. But what happens if you’re in a situation where you are driving a temporary vehicle, and don’t want to purchase regular insurance for it?

What is Short-Term Car Insurance?

Short-term car insurance is a type of insurance that can be purchased for a limited amount of time that you choose. This differs compared to regular car insurance which generally lasts around one year, before needing to be renewed. It offers the same protection that standard car insurance offers, the main differences are the cost of the policy itself and the specified period of coverage.

Who Would Benefit From This Type of Cover?

Under normal circumstances, most people wouldn’t consider a shorter, more time-constrained type of car insurance for their vehicles. Car owners would generally purchase an annual insurance policy to ensure their vehicle is permanently covered against collisions, theft and fire damage.

However, there are situations where purchasing short-term car insurance is more beneficial for drivers. People traveling either locally or overseas, such as business travelers or holidaymakers, may plan to rent a vehicle to get around. Because they are unlikely to be driving the rental car long-term, they would generally rather opt for a shorter and cheaper coverage policy that only lasts for as long as they’ll be driving the rental.

If you decide to rent a van to help you move house, or are taking a weekend trip away somewhere in a friend or family member’s vehicle, then it would also make more sense to purchase shorter coverage.

Should I purchase Short-Term Car Insurance for My Vehicle?

It’s important to understand that even though this coverage option may be cheaper than annual insurance, it’s only a good option for people who will be driving cars for a limited time period. Purchasing a cheaper and shorter type of insurance now may seem like a good way to save money, but remember you will need to repurchase it continuously every few months when it expires. This can end up costing you more in the long run compared to regular car insurance.

Many people don’t really need to consider this type of coverage for their cars, as most drivers own the vehicles that they use, and thus opt for longer-term insurance. However, circumstances do arise in which drivers may require a separate, shorter cover policy.

Depending on your insurer, a short-term car insurance policy can be purchased for as little as one hour and extend for as long as three to six months. Make sure you know how long you plan to drive the vehicle before examining different policies, as you don’t want to end up paying for driving that you never end up doing. It’s also a good idea to shop around for a range of quotes before deciding on the one that suits you.

Whether you have travel plans, or just want to rest assured that the car you’re driving is fully protected, CompareInsurance has the policy that you need. Log on and browse our extended range of temporary car insurance quotes to find a solution that matches your needs.