Temporary Car Insurance in Ireland: Your Complete Guide

Have you ever needed to drive a car for just a short time? Maybe you’re borrowing a friend’s car for a weekend trip, or you’ve just bought a new car and need coverage until your regular insurance kicks in. That’s where temporary car insurance comes in handy. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need about short-term car insurance in Ireland.

What is Temporary Car Insurance?

Temporary car insurance is a special type of coverage that protects you and the car you’re driving for a short period. Unlike regular car insurance, which usually lasts a year, temporary insurance can cover you for as little as one day or up to 28 days.

Here’s what makes it different from regular insurance:

• It’s short-term: You only pay for the days you need
• It’s flexible: You can often start the coverage immediately
• It’s separate: It doesn’t affect the no-claims bonus on your regular insurance

This type of insurance can be a real lifesaver in many situations. It gives you peace of mind knowing you’re covered, even if you only drive briefly.

When Might You Need Temporary Car Insurance?

There are lots of situations where temporary car insurance can come in handy. Let’s look at some common scenarios:

1. Borrowing a Car: Imagine your friend asking you to house-sit for a week and saying you can use their car. You don’t want to risk driving without insurance, but you also don’t want to pay for a whole year of coverage. Temporary insurance is perfect for this situation.
2. Driving a New Car Home: When you buy a new car, you might need to drive it home before your regular insurance starts. Temporary insurance can bridge that gap and keep you legally on the road.
3. Renting a Car for a Trip: If you’re renting a car for a holiday in Ireland, temporary insurance can sometimes be cheaper than the rental company’s insurance.
4. Learning to Drive: If you’re learning to drive in a family member’s car, temporary insurance can cover you while you practice.
5. Moving House: If you’re borrowing a van to move house, you’ll need insurance. Temporary cover is ideal for this short-term need.

These are just a few examples. Temporary insurance could be the answer anytime you need to drive a car you don’t normally drive.

What Does Temporary Car Insurance Cover?

Most temporary car insurance policies in Ireland offer “third-party, fire, and theft” coverage. But what does that mean? Let’s break it down:

• Third-party: This covers damage you might cause to other people’s property or injuries to others if you have an accident. It’s the minimum legal requirement in Ireland.
• Fire: If the car catches fire, the insurance will pay to repair or replace it.
• Theft: If someone steals the car, the insurance will pay to replace it.

Some policies might offer comprehensive coverage, protecting against damage to the car you’re driving. This usually costs more, but it gives you more protection.

It’s important to note that temporary insurance usually doesn’t cover:

• Regular wear and tear on the car
• Personal belongings left in the car
• Driving for business purposes (unless you specifically ask for this)

Always read the policy details carefully to understand what’s covered and what’s not.

Who Can Get Short Term Car Insurance?

While temporary car insurance is useful, not everyone can get it. Most insurance companies have some basic requirements:

• Age: You usually need to be at least 21 years old. Some companies might insure drivers as young as 18, but it could cost more.
• Driving License: You need a full, valid driving license. Some companies might accept provisional licenses, but it could be more expensive.
• Driving History: If you have a lot of points on your license or have been disqualified from driving, you might find it hard to get temporary insurance.
• Car Type: Most everyday cars can be covered, but very expensive or powerful cars might be harder to insure.

Remember, these are general guidelines. Each insurance company has its rules, so it’s always worth asking if you’re unsure.

How Much Does Temporary Car Insurance Cost?

The cost of temporary car insurance can vary a lot. It depends on things like:

• Your age and driving experience
• The type of car you’re insuring
• How long do you need the insurance for
• The level of coverage you choose

While it’s usually more expensive per day than regular insurance, it can still be cheaper than adding it to someone else’s policy or taking out a full year’s insurance.

To get the best deal:

• Shop around and compare prices from different companies
• Only get coverage for the days you need
• Consider a higher excess (the amount you pay if you make a claim) to lower your premium

Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Make sure the policy gives you the coverage you need.

How to Get Temporary Car Insurance in Ireland

Getting temporary car insurance in Ireland isn’t always straightforward. Not all insurance companies offer it as a standard product. Here’s what you can do:

1. Contact Insurance: Companies Directly Call or email different insurance companies and ask if they offer temporary coverage. Even if they don’t advertise it, they might have options for short-term insurance.
2. Use Comparison Websites: Some websites let you compare quotes from different insurers. This can save you time and help you find the best deal.
3. Talk to a Broker: Insurance brokers know the market well. They might be able to find temporary insurance options that you can’t find on your own.
4. Consider Alternatives: If you can’t find temporary insurance, you might be able to:

• Be added as a named driver on someone else’s policy
• Take out a regular policy and cancel it when you no longer need it (but check for cancellation fees)

When you’re ready to buy, you’ll usually need:

• Your driving license details
• The car’s registration number
• Your details (address, job, etc.)

Most companies can set up the insurance quickly, sometimes even on the same day.

The Importance of Having Insurance

Driving without insurance in Ireland is against the law. The consequences can be serious:

• Fines: You could be fined up to €5,000
• Penalty Points: You’ll get 5 penalty points on your license
• Disqualification: The court could ban you from driving
• Criminal Record: You could end up with a criminal record

Even if you only drive briefly, the risk is not worth it. Temporary insurance gives you peace of mind and keeps you on the right side of the law.

Wrapping Up

Temporary car insurance in Ireland can be useful in many situations. While it might take more effort to find than regular insurance, it can save you money and give you flexibility.

Remember these key points:

• It covers you for 1-28 days
• It usually offers third-party, fire, and theft coverage
• Not all companies offer it, so you might need to shop around
• It’s an important way to stay legal and protected on the road

By understanding your options and shopping around, you can find the right temporary car insurance to meet your needs. Stay safe, stay covered, and enjoy your time on Ireland’s roads!

When Would You Need Short Term Car Insurance

Short Term car insurance is designed for convenience, and its flexibility has proven invaluable in many real-life situations. Here are some examples to show how it can be a lifesaver:

Borrowing a Car for a Weekend Trip

John needed to borrow his cousin’s car for a weekend getaway to Galway. Instead of being added as a named driver to his cousin’s policy (which would take time and potentially impact their no-claims bonus), John opted for temporary car insurance. The cost? Just €40 for two days of coverage. It was quick, affordable, and far cheaper than risking the heavy fines for driving uninsured, which can be up to €5,000 in Ireland.

“I’ve done something similar myself when borrowing a friend’s car for a day. Knowing I was insured gave me peace of mind, and setting it up online was super easy.”

Driving a New Car Home

When Sarah purchased her new car, her regular insurance wasn’t set to begin until the following week. She needed to drive the car home from the dealership that same day. Temporary car insurance filled the gap perfectly, providing her with one-day coverage until her standard policy kicked in.

Practicing for a Driving Test

Michael, a learner driver, wanted to practice in his mother’s car before his driving test. Rather than adjusting her long-term insurance, Michael took out a temporary policy for the week leading up to his test. This ensured he could practice without affecting his mother’s no-claims bonus.

“If you’re a learner driver, this is such a handy solution. It gives you the freedom to practice while keeping everyone’s insurance intact.”

Temporary Car Insurance FAQs