The road trip hack you didn’t know you needed

Exploring Europe or trying to complete the NC500? If you and a friend are swapping drivers on a long journey, there’s a little trick that can give you peace of mind without breaking the bank. Sharing driving duties makes road trips more enjoyable and safer, but making sure that both drivers are properly insured needn’t cost a fortune.

  • What Is Temporary Car Insurance and Why It Works for Road Trips

Temporary car insurance is short-term cover available from as little as one hour up to several days, designed specifically for occasional use such as shared driving on trips. Unlike annual policies that need lengthy commitments, temporary cover gives you flexibility for situations where you only need insurance briefly. If you only need cover for brief stints, one-hour car insurance can avoid paying for full-day cover when you only drive 30 minutes. This makes it perfect for road trips where friends take turns at the wheel, allowing each driver to activate cover only when needed.

  • Cost vs Risk: Does It Make Sense?

Insurance premiums for hourly cover compare favourably against adding a named driver on an annual policy, especially if the secondary driver will only take the wheel for short stretches. According to Uswitch’s 2023 temporary car insurance statistics, the average cost of one hour of temporary car insurance in London is £8.33, whilst the average full temporary policy costs £73.80. For occasional driving during a week-long road trip, purchasing a few hours of cover as needed proves far cheaper than adding someone to an annual policy, which typically costs hundreds of pounds extra.

  • How to Use Temporary Cover When Sharing Driving Duties

Getting temporary cover is straightforward: most providers offer instant online policies that activate immediately or at a scheduled time. Make sure that you have the car owner’s permission and vehicle details ready. When switching drivers mid-route, confirm your policy is active before taking the wheel. For longer trips spanning multiple days, plan your coverage windows carefully. This is because gaps between policies leave you uninsured and illegal. Set reminders to renew or extend cover as needed, and keep policy documents accessible on your phone.

  • When It Doesn’t Make Sense & Alternative Options

Temporary cover isn’t suitable for every situation. For extended multi-day trips where one person drives extensively, adding them as a named driver may prove more economical. High-risk drivers with previous claims or convictions face prohibitively expensive hourly rates. According to House of Commons Library research from 2024, UK car insurance prices rose 82% between May 2021 and June 2024, making cost comparisons essential. Consider usage-based insurance or pay-as-you-drive models as alternatives that charge based on actual mileage instead of fixed periods, potentially offering better value for irregular drivers.

Whether you’re tackling Scotland’s scenic routes or venturing across the Channel, temporary car insurance offers a flexible, cost-effective solution for shared driving. Compare your options carefully, plan your coverage in advance, and enjoy the journey knowing everyone’s properly protected.

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