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Short Term Car Insurance

Temporary or short-term insurance is comprehensive car cover that lasts from 1 hour up to 28 days. It’s the modern approach to insurance for those who don’t want to be tied down with a 12-month policy.

You may find short term motor insurance useful if you are:

  • collecting a new vehicle
  • test driving a new vehicle
  • a young driver back home from university
  • borrowing a friend's car or van
  • sharing the driving on a one-off trip

What are the benefits of Short Term Motor Insurance?

  • Temporary car insurance for drivers 19 - 75
  • Cover available from 1 hour to 28 days
  • All policies are fully comprehensive
  • Get a quote and cover in minutes
  • Coverage for vehicles with a value up to £65,000
  • Provided by trusted & established insurers

Why choose Direct Gap for your Short Term Car Insurance?

We have partnered with GoShorty to provide market-leading short-term motor insurance. GoShorty are one of the UK’s leading short-term car insurance providers, and we help thousands of motorists across the UK each week to become insured on a car from just 1 hour to 28 days.

•  Flexibility: Comprehensive car insurance when you need it.

•  Responsibility: All Direct Gap policies and those of our partners, GoShorty, are fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and we hold ourselves to the very highest standards.

•  Integrity: Our team do not make any commission from sales of Short Term Car Insurance – we’ve only got your best interests in mind.

•  Service: We hold over 11,000 5-star Feefo reviews alongside GoShorty's 4.9 (Excellent) rating on Trustpilot.

See what our customers are saying about us

Michael Voyzey 4 Jan 2024

55 star rating

Really easy to purchase a Gap Insurance Policy this is my second one with Direct Gap

darren birch 8 Jan 2024

55 star rating

used before and experienced great service, thats why im back

MARK HURDLEY 28 Oct 2023

55 star rating

Brilliant, a lot cheaper than getting it through the dealer and so easy to set up, will tell my family to use you in the future.

Julian Portman 26 Jan 2024

55 star rating

Very easy to arrange. Competitive price. Used with two previous cars.

David Pibworth 3 Feb 2024

55 star rating

Easy to complete and far cheaper than quoted by the main dealer

Gary (Manchester) 31 Oct 2023

55 star rating

Straight forward & easy to use website. Explained what was covered, easy to understand & complete purchase. Much better value than what was offered by car dealership.

Peter Egerton 1 Feb 2024

55 star rating

It’s so easy to set up and I’m confident in the policy that it covers all my costs.

Ranjit Ghag 11 Dec 2023

55 star rating

I have previously used this service and find it amazing, competitive prices and cheaper than buying direct from dealers.

natasha badger 28 Oct 2023

55 star rating

Easy to use and half the cost the dealership wanted for a gap policy

Nicholas Price 24 Jan 2019

55 star rating

Way cheaper than dealer prices, dealer wanted more than double for a 4 year plan. Cheers

Darryl Gore 18 Dec 2013

55 star rating

Found this product considerably cheaper than what was offered by the Dealership...

Irene Back 20 Dec 2021

55 star rating

Excellent site easy and friendly use. Price was very good and I got immediate cover. Excellent service thank you.

Mrs K Dorning 9 Jan 2019

55 star rating

Very simple to arrange, competitive quotation. Far better than the dealer option.

Peter W 3 May 2017

55 star rating

Very clear website - the best of the several we looked at. A couple of small queries were quickly answered by very friendly and efficient staff. Policy cost less than half the pric…

Stephen Johnson 5 Dec 2020

55 star rating

made a massive saving by shopping around myself, the finance company want £500 for gap cover, saved myself £350

Mark Lomas 19 Dec 2013

55 star rating

I compared your price and cover with other providers. Your product has been easy to understand and has no hidden bolt on essentials!

Francis M 17 Dec 2013

55 star rating

Thought it was only for new cars so pleased to find I could cover mine with you.

Karen H 18 Dec 2013

55 star rating

My husband has a policy with you. The price is very competitive.

Kevin Leyshon 18 Dec 2013

55 star rating

I have used you previously and love the cover and service.

Jeanette 23 Dec 2013

55 star rating

Straight forward from start to finish.

T Kellett 10 Oct 2017

55 star rating

This is the second time I've used Direct Gap. So easy to setup the policy online and much better price than the dealership!

Richard Kay 20 May 2021

55 star rating

My second policy with Direct Gap. The process is so simple and easy to purchase a policy. Much cheaper than policies offered by the main dealer!

Gaynor Powers 11 Apr 2022

55 star rating

Easy choice of GAP insurance options, explanations for each cover, affordable and easy to purchase online. Helpline if needed.

Alan Burchett 18 Dec 2013

55 star rating

Excellent reviews on internet.

FAQ

What does short term motor insurance cover?

Short term motor insurance, also known as temporary car insurance, is a fully comprehensive cover for shorter periods. This type of insurance includes coverage for loss, theft, or damage to the vehicle, accident recovery, and legal liability.

When is short term motor insurance not suitable?

Short term motor insurance may not be suitable in certain situations, such as:

  • Hiring or renting vehicles, as these require specialist insurance from the rental company.
  • Use for taxis or commercial transport of goods.

What does short term motor insurance cost?

The cost of short term motor insurance varies based on several factors, including your age, the vehicle type, and the length of the policy. Other considerations may include your driving history, such as points on your license.

Why choose Direct Gap and GoShorty to insure with?

Choosing Direct Gap and GoShorty ensures quality insurance products and excellent customer support. Our partnership with GoShorty reflects our shared values, and both companies boast exceptional reviews. Feel free to contact us or GoShorty for any questions before getting a quote or purchasing a policy.

What is the shortest time I can insure my vehicle for?

The minimum coverage period for our short term motor insurance is 1 hour.

What’s the longest time I can insure my vehicle with this insurance?

The maximum coverage period for temporary car insurance is 28 days.