Just bought a car? How exciting! Whether it’s your first set of wheels, or a long-awaited upgrade, there’s something special about driving off the forecourt or drive with your shiny new purchase. Of course, it might not be new new, but it’ll be new to you.
But, in all the excitement, you can’t forget all the legal obligations that come with being a car owner. And this includes having car insurance, such as temporary car insurance, to drive a car home.
You might not always need to arrange your own insurance policy as your dealer might have something in place to cover you for a few days. But it’s your responsibility to double-check and take out cover if you need it.
Can’t I just use my existing policy to drive my car home?
If you’ve got a car insurance policy already, you might be wondering whether you could just use that policy to drive your new car home. The answer is: it depends.
If you call your insurer to let them know you’ve bought a new car, they’ll usually be able to update your policy to reflect this change. They may be able to transfer your policy to the new car, or, if you’re buying a second car, they might be able to offer you a multi-car policy.
But, bear in mind that this change may come with admin fees and potentially a rise in your premium. It’s always worth getting a few quotes elsewhere to work out whether you’re getting the best deal from your insurer.
Calling up your insurer might seem like the least painful option when it comes to dealing with arranging a new car policy, but it might end up costing you if you don’t shop around, and you need to talk to them when they’re open. Which is tedious.
Doesn’t my current car insurance policy allow me to drive other cars?
If you have a fully comprehensive car insurance policy, you may have a driving other cars (DOC) provision as part of your cover. Lots of people think this is a given, but more and more policies no longer include it as standard, so you should definitely double-check before relying on it.
You should also check exactly what it entails; in many cases, it offers third-party cover only and there are often restrictions that would preclude you from driving your new car home anyway, including the fact that it doesn’t cover other vehicles that you own.
Basically, you might inadvertently end up driving without the correct cover in place – or driving with a lot less cover than you’re comfortable with.
If you’re planning on just using your car policy without transferring it to your new car, it’s a good idea to double-check the policy wording and call your insurer if you’re in doubt. Imagine getting into an accident with your new car and finding out you’re not insured!
Why can’t I just buy an annual car insurance policy to drive my car home?
What happens if you don’t have an existing policy in place? Shouldn’t you just buy an annual policy and call it a day?
When people buy a car that isn’t covered by an existing insurance policy, they can assume that an annual policy is their only option. Sometimes they rush to buy the first policy they see without doing their research. That’s just how eager they are to drive off with their new car.
And sure, you can absolutely just buy an annual car insurance policy and call it a day. It might work out just fine for you, especially if you’ve been looking at the car for a while and have already found a few good quotes that meet your needs.
But, there are some potential downsides here too.
For instance, you might end up paying more than you need for an annual policy or not getting the cover you need because you felt rushed. If you’re still shopping around for the best deal and don’t know which provider is right for you, then taking out a temporary car insurance policy could work much better than committing over longer periods of time right away.
Essentially, a temporary policy gives you the time you need to find the right annual insurance policy for your needs. It gives you the cover you need to drive off the dealer’s lot right away. And it means you’re not feeling rushed when it comes to securing an annual policy.
What is temporary car insurance?
Temporary car insurance is a flexible policy designed (amongst any other things) to help you drive a new car home. This type of policy generally lasts between an hour to a few weeks and is super quick and easy to arrange.
Typically, a temporary car insurance policy offers comprehensive cover. There are some important differences between comprehensive cover offered by temporary car insurance and fully comprehensive cover offered by annual policies. As always, it’s up to you check the details before buying.
But generally, a temporary car insurance policy will cover you to take your new car home. So how do you go about taking out a policy?
How do I get car insurance to drive my new car home?
Getting temporary car insurance to drive your new purchase home is fairly easy. There are lots of providers to choose from online, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
Here at Zixty, we can get you on the road in minutes. All you’ll need to do is download our app, fill out a few details about yourself, and scan your licence through your phone. Then, we’ll be able to give you a quote. You can then take out a policy and drive off as soon as it’s active.
Driving your new car home with Zixty’s temporary car insurance policy
There are plenty of benefits to insuring your new car with Zixty. We make it super easy to arrange your insurance through our app. But also, because we save your details, it’s simple to get a new policy if you decide you need a little longer to decide on the annual car insurance policy you want to commit to.
Aside from the practical matters though, we’re actually a great choice if you want to do a little something for the planet while you’re driving home. We have this free add-on called Zixty Miles. Once you enable it, we start carbon-offsetting your journeys up to 100 miles a day every day while you’re a customer.
Also, every time you take out a policy we plant a tree on your behalf. Talk about building some good karma on your first day with your new car! As soon as you drive off, you’ll have planted a tree. Now that’s setting the right tone from the get go. So if you need temporary car insurance to drive your car home, you know where to look.
