Thinking of leasing a car? We don’t blame you. It’s like having your cake and eating it too. And with monthly payments that are often lower than other types of finance, you can drive around in a brand new ride for up to four years before having to give it back.
So if you’re not the kind who needs to own a car, leasing is perfect for getting around with maximum fun and minimum expense.
But don’t forget about insurance when signing up as it’ll often be on you to find the right policy. And if you need to shop around and get a few quotes, temporary car insurance can help you get cover in a pinch.
What type of car insurance do I need for my leased car?
When it comes to leasing a car, you’ll need more than just the keys to drive off into the sunset. You’ll also usually have to arrange your own comprehensive car insurance. It covers damage to your car, which is why your leasing company will probably insist on it.
And if you really want to be covered for all your bases, consider getting GAP insurance. Also known as Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance, this type of cover is designed to cover any outstanding payments on your lease contract if the car is written off, for example.
It’s like a security blanket for your leased car: it will make sure that if something bad happens and your ride takes a turn for the worse, you won’t have to foot the bill for any extra payments beyond what your insurer is willing to pay out.
When it comes to picking the right policy for your leased car, it definitely pays to shop around. Compare a few different quotes and don’t just go with the options provided by the leasing company. They might not be offering the best deal on the market.
And if you want a little extra time to explore all your options, get yourself a temporary car insurance policy.
What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance is a short term, flexible car insurance policy that can last anywhere between a few minutes to a few weeks. It can be arranged quickly and is designed to help you out in a pinch.
This type of policy offers comprehensive cover. But, there are some important differences between comprehensive cover offered by temporary car insurance and fully comprehensive cover offered by annual policies.
Still, it’s generally a great option if you want to start your lease right now but you just haven’t had the time to find an annual car insurance policy. Once again, it’s all about having your cake and eating it too.
When do I have to insure my leased car?
Before you can get the keys to that brand new ride and hit the open road, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got car insurance in place. As in, your provider will probably be checking and might not even release the car to you until they’re satisfied you’re covered.
Keep in mind that the majority of leases don’t include any type of insurance cover so it’s up to you to pick one that works for you – no pressure!
But as long as you’re covered before the big day and can prove it, there is no reason why you can’t just drive away in your slick new set of wheels.
Who should be the policyholder on the insurance certificate?
It’s simple – whoever takes out the lease agreement needs to be listed as the policyholder on the insurance certificate. So if you’re planning on taking out a lease agreement, then you need to be the policyholder.
Still, you don’t have to shoulder all of the responsibility of driving alone. If your friends want to take a spin in your leased car, they can definitely get behind the wheel.
All they need to do is get added onto your policy as a named driver – or, alternatively, just take out some temporary car insurance.
How can I lower the insurance premium on my leased car?
We get it – car insurance premiums can get high, especially if you’re leasing the flashiest car your meager graduate scheme salary can afford. You still need decent cover though.
So here are some tips on how to get lower insurance prices on your leased vehicle:
- Pay the premium off in one go – if you can pay annually rather than monthly, you’ll usually pay less.
- Think about the type of car you’re leasing – don’t go for the fanciest car you can afford, because it’ll likely cost a kidney to insure.
- Add an experienced driver to the policy – if someone much more experienced will be driving with you, add them to the policy; that could bring your costs down.
- Shop around – don’t just settle for the first quote you find! Get a few quotes because prices can vary massively between providers.
We have a detailed article outlining how to save money on your car insurance premium here if you want to look into more options.
Learn more about Zixty’s temporary car insurance
Zixty’s temporary car insurance policy is a great option for your leased car if you’re not sure what annual car insurance policy you want to go for.
With Zixty, your temporary car insurance policy can be arranged in minutes and can last between an hour to a few weeks – perfect, if all you need is a little extra time to shop around!
It’s super easy to arrange a policy through the app too. All you need to do is fill out a few details about yourself, scan your driver’s license, and book a policy for as long as you need.
Plus, we save your details within the app, so if you need to take out a new policy down the line, the whole process will be even quicker.
But we’re different from other insurers too. We have Zixty Miles, a free add-on you can enable to carbon offset your car journeys up to 100 miles a day every day. And although you definitely get brownie points if you’ve leased an awesome new EV, we’ll still carbon offset your journeys. Everyone can make a difference with Zixty.
Conclusion
Leasing a car can be a great way to get your hands on a slick set of wheels without shelling out tens of thousands of pounds upfront. Plus, if you don’t like the commitment that comes with car ownership, you’ll love leasing.
You’ll get to swap your ride for a brand new one every few years without having to worry about part exchanging or balloon payments or massive deposits.
But, to lease a car, you’ll usually need comprehensive car insurance in place. And if you’re not sure what provider to go with, you can get on the road and mull over your options by taking out a temporary car insurance policy while you shop around.
