In today’s fast-paced world, temporary car insurance has become an increasingly popular choice for drivers who need flexible, short-term coverage. Whether you’re borrowing a car, test-driving a vehicle, or need insurance for a specific trip, companies like Zixty, Tempcover, Cuvva, GoShorty, and Dayinsure provide tailored solutions.
In this guide we’ll compare these five providers, exploring their features, eligibility criteria, pros and cons, and pricing structures. Spoiler alert: one of the providers is us (you probably realised if you’re reading this on the Zixty website!).
Our intention is to offer a fair, impartial comparison of these temporary car insurance providers. In order to do that, we have used data from each of the providers’ websites. If you believe something is incorrect or misleading, please contact us and we will take your comments into consideration when updating the article. So, with that out of the way, let’s dive in!
Comparison of top five providers
| Feature | Zixty | Tempcover | Cuvva | GoShorty | Dayinsure |
| Driver Age Range | 19 to 75 | 18 to 78 (17+ for provisional) | 19 to 70 | 19 to 75 | 18 to 75 (17+ for provisional) |
| Licence Requirement | Full UK (3+ months) | Valid UK (6+ months) | Full UK (1+ year) | Full UK (6+ months) | Full UK (6+ months) |
| Car Value Limit | Up to £50,000 | Up to £65,000 | Up to £60,000 | Up to £65,000 | Up to £75,000 |
| Coverage Duration | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 28 days | 1 hour to 30 days |
| Platform | App and web | App and web | App only | Web only | App and web |
| Provisional Cover | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Commercial Vehicle Cover | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Impound Cover | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| EU Licence Accepted | Yes (3+ years) | Yes | No | No | No |
| European Cover | (Third party only) | No | No | No | Yes |
| Noteworthy | Cars & vans; FREE carbon offsetting | Cars, vans & motorbikes | Cars & vans | Cars & vans | Cars & vans |
Note, each provider may have additional eligibility criteria. Please check their websites for a full list.
Cuvva
Cuvva revolutionised the temporary insurance market with its app-first approach, catering to drivers who prefer a fully digital experience.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days.
- Entirely app-based platform.
- Instant policy issuance and management.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 19 to 70.
- Licence requirement: Full UK driving licence held for at least 1 year.
- Vehicle value: Up to £60k for cars and £40k for vans
Advantages:
- Sleek app design for a user-friendly experience.
- Flexible and customizable durations.
- Quick and easy process for obtaining cover.
Considerations:
- You have to download the app – no website quote journey
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Dayinsure
Dayinsure is a long-established player, known for its comprehensive coverage and straightforward online platform.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 30 days.
- Offers European cover and policies for cars, vans, and motorhomes.
- Simple online platform for purchasing and managing policies.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 18 to 75 (17+ for Provisional cover)
- Licence requirement: Full UK or EU driving licence held for at least 6 months.
- Vehicle value: Up to £75,000.
Advantages:
- Established reputation for reliability.
- Comprehensive coverage options, including European policies.
- Covers a range of vehicles.
- 30 day cover is more than other providers
Considerations:
- Premiums can be higher for younger drivers.
- Limited modern features compared to newer providers.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
GoShorty
GoShorty offers competitive pricing and caters to a variety of needs, from temporary car insurance to short-term commercial vehicle coverage.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days.
- Covers cars and vans (including commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes).
- Policies available for both personal and commercial use.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 19 to 75.
- Licence requirement: Full UK driving licence held for at least 6 months.
- Vehicle value: Up to £65,000.
Advantages:
- Competitive pricing.
- Broad vehicle and driver eligibility.
- Wide range of policy options for different needs.
Considerations:
- Lacks a fully app-based experience.
- Mixed reviews on customer support response times.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Tempcover
Tempcover is a trusted name in temporary insurance with over 15 years of experience. It caters to a wide audience, offering a fast and straightforward quote process.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days.
- Wide range of vehicle types covered, including cars, vans, and motorbikes.
- Quick quote process via website.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 18 to 78. (17+ for Provisional cover)
- Licence requirement: Valid UK driving licence held for at least 6 months.
- Vehicle value: Up to £65,000.
Advantages:
- High vehicle value cap.
- Covers multiple vehicle types.
- Reliable and well-established provider.
Considerations:
- Pricing can vary significantly.
- App experience is not as refined as some competitors.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Zixty
Zixty is a modern, eco-conscious insurance provider offering temporary cover for cars and vans. It stands out for its sustainability-focused approach, offsetting the carbon emissions of every insured journey.
Features:
- Coverage duration: 1 hour to 28 days.
- Carbon offsetting included at no extra cost.
- App- and web-based platform for quick policy management.
- Covers cars and vans.
Eligibility:
- Driver age: 19 to 75.
- Licence requirement: Full UK DVLA-issued driving licence held for at least 3 months.
- Vehicle value: Up to £50,000.
Advantages:
- Appeals to environmentally conscious drivers.
- Flexible policy durations.
- Seamless user experience via app and web.
Considerations:
- Relatively new, so less market recognition.
- Vehicle value cap lower than some competitors.
- No motorbike cover.
You can see their full eligibility criteria on their website
Conclusion
Temporary car insurance has become an essential tool for drivers needing flexibility, and the range of providers available today ensures there’s an option for everyone. Ultimately, which provider you go with will depend on your specific needs and circumstances.
We hope this guide has provided clarity and helped you navigate the temporary insurance landscape. If you’re ready to make an informed decision, be sure to check each provider’s website for the latest eligibility criteria and offerings. And if you value sustainability alongside comprehensive cover, why not give Zixty a try? With our carbon-offsetting commitment, you’ll not only be insured but also contribute to a greener planet. Safe travels!
Environment and sharing economy
If you’re concerned about how driving impacts your carbon footprint, we understand you completely. Where possible, we recommend travelling by public transport. However, when that’s not practical, borrowing a vehicle rather than owning one can at least reduce your carbon footprint – according to one study, car sharing for every shared vehicle, between 9 to 13 privately owned cars are removed from the road. Pretty awesome if you ask us!
Furthermore, here’s a little extra bonus for you: we plant a tree for every policy you take out with Zixty. Additionally, if you sign up for our Zixty Miles program in the app, we plant enough trees to offset up to 100 miles of your journey each day you’re insured with us.
Find out more about our partnership with Eden Reforestation by reading this article all about Eden. Or visit Eden’s own website.
