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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

Paul Chattenton 24 Oct 2025

55 star rating

Very straight forward to arrange and actually cheaper than I expected.

Kirstie Skinner 17 Dec 2025

55 star rating

Simple and cost effective. I won’t use anyone else for my gap insurance!

Angela B 20 Sep 2025

55 star rating

Have used Direct Gap for a few years now. Always quick, easy and competitive.

R Holmes 9 Jan 2026

55 star rating

After having to unfortunately claim last year it was a no brainer to come back to Direct GAP they're so friendly and helpful. It gives me the peace of mind should the worst happen…

PHD Mail Limited 2 Nov 2025

55 star rating

I use Direct Gap for all my Company Car fleet. Easy to use website and competitive rates.

Stephen Webb 10 Nov 2025

55 star rating

I've used Direct Gap for my previous vehicle, so it was an obvious choice for the new car.

Nadiya Davies 23 Apr 2024

44 star rating

Hayley was brilliant over the phone!

Alan Stewart 20 Oct 2025

55 star rating

Excellent website which is easy to use and a range of policies to suit your needs. The price of the policy I chose was very competitive and cheaper than most. I also liked the high…

Alex Sissons 24 Oct 2024

55 star rating

3rd policy I've had and best price by far

David Kent 10 Sep 2025

55 star rating

Always been very pleased with company and will continue to use for my GAP ins, wdl done guys full marks.

Jennifer Hodgett 2 Jan 2026

55 star rating

Website is so easy to use and the level of cover and cost compares favourably with their competitors. Second policy with Direct Gap would definitely recommend to others.

Edward McLeod 6 Jan 2026

55 star rating

thank you, 3rd or 4th policy I bought

Katie Sharp 3 Sep 2025

55 star rating

Great support on the phone earlier :)

Janine Withers 23 Dec 2025

55 star rating

This is the 3rd policy I have brought from Direct Gap, their staff are always so friendly & helpful, I keep coming back to them.

Michael Dietz 13 Nov 2025

55 star rating

Have used on a previous vehicle, policy gives a great peace of mind.

Catherine Morrison 20 Feb 2026

55 star rating

This type of insurance gives me peace of mind knowing that my purchase is covered should anything happen to my car I’ve been using gap insurance since 2014 and would not be without…

Isabelle Salami 20 Apr 2024

55 star rating

Friendly customer service. Answered my queries politely and professionally. No complaints and would recommend!

Stephen Collins 18 Jul 2025

55 star rating

Dealt with Company for 20 years always excellent.

Paul Sheppard 25 May 2020

55 star rating

Policy really easy to set up ! Recommend to all ! Many thanks .

Mike Finch 18 Dec 2013

55 star rating

We needed to cover our new car purchase and looked on line we contacted your adviser who was most helpful

Alex Mitchell 4 Sep 2021

55 star rating

Easy website and clear explanation of products. have purchased before and will again.

Daniel Irvine 18 Dec 2013

55 star rating

Had it recommended by a relative.

Lee Nathaniel 18 Mar 2021

55 star rating

Rang as I didn’t know know which cover I should choose........ the lady I spoke to was so helpful and helped me decide!

James Elkin 19 Jan 2021

55 star rating

Easy and competitively priced - I liked the worked examples that show how this insurance works.

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.