Drive away with confidence
See policies from trusted providers to find the right fit
Get insured and get driving
Compare tailored quotes for your business trip in minutes
Made to fit your journey
From one hour to four weeks – only pay for the time you need
Temporary business car insurance gives you short-term cover to use a car for work. Instead of paying for year-round cover, you only pay for the time you need – from as little as one hour up to 28 days.
Short-term cover can be a handy option if you only drive for business occasionally or need cover for a one-off work journey.
Business use usually includes travelling for work purposes in your own car (or someone else’s, with their permission), such as:
Visiting customers or clients
Driving to a conference
Travelling between work sites
Attending meetings.
Business use doesn’t usually cover:
Food delivery
Taxi driving
Chauffeur services
Always check your policy documents to see exactly what’s covered.
Bear in mind...
Your typical commute doesn’t count as business use. If you drive to and from work, you should check commuting is covered by your policy.
Many temporary business car insurance policies provide comprehensive cover as standard, but what’s included can vary between providers.
Comprehensive cover while your policy’s active
Damage to your car caused by an accident, fire or theft
Injury to other people or damage to their property
Business journeys covered by your policy
Driving in the UK.
Personal use or commuting
Anyone who isn’t named on the policy
Wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns
Loss or damage to any business equipment you’re carrying.
Business driving in the EU
The rules on driving abroad for work purposes vary between providers. Some include it as standard and some allow it only if the trip starts and ends in the UK. Some might not cover it at all.
Always check the policy wording carefully before buying to make sure you get the cover you need.
Using a company car?
You might not need to get your own business insurance if you’re using a company car for work purposes. This should already be covered by your company’s car insurance policy.
But always double check with your employer to be sure.
Most people can get temporary business cover, subject to meeting provider eligibility rules. These can vary, but often include:
Being aged 19-75
Having a full, valid UK driving licence (or one that the provider accepts)
Insuring a car up to the value of £65,000
Using the car for an approved type of business journey
Providing accurate details about your driving history, including any claims, convictions or penalty points
Having the owner’s permission if you’re insuring a car you don’t own.
Under 21?
If you’re under 21, you’ll need at least three months' driving experience to get temporary cover.
If you’re under 19, you’ll need at least six months’ driving experience.
Not sure if you need temporary or ongoing cover? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide...
Occasional business driving
Could be better value if you’re making a single work trip or only need to drive for work a handful of times a year
Cover from an hour to four weeks
Ideal for flexibility
Standalone policy
The annual policy alongside it is unaffected, even if you make a claim on your temporary business insurance
Pay only when you need it
Can help manage costs as you only pay for what you need.
Regular business driving
For example, on a weekly or monthly basis
Ongoing cover
Get peace of mind and know that you’re covered for business journeys all year round
Added to annual policy
Sort your business cover with your annual policy in one go
Potentially better value
Could work out more cost-effective if you drive for work frequently.
It really depends how often you make business journeys. If you only drive for work occasionally or need to make a single trip, temporary business insurance often works out cheaper.
But if you need business cover regularly, it’s worth comparing the cost of annual insurance vs taking out temporary cover multiple times to work out the cheaper option overall.
Settled on short-term cover? Here’s how to get a speedy quote through Compare the Market.
Find out more about car insurance, from specialist policies to typical costs
Commuting usually means driving between your home and your normal place of work.
Business use covers journeys you make as part of your job, such as visiting clients or travelling between different work locations.
If you’re unsure which type of cover you need, check the policy wording before you drive.
No. Not every temporary car insurance policy includes business use, so you’ll need to choose a policy that covers the type of journey you’re making.
Always check the policy wording before you buy to make sure you’re covered for your intended business use.
Yes, many providers offer same-day temporary business car insurance.
Most temporary business car insurance policies are available from one hour up to 28 days. Some providers may offer longer periods, but this varies.
If you need business cover more regularly, it could be worth comparing the cost of an annual business car insurance policy.
You usually can’t extend an existing temporary policy once it’s started. If you need cover for longer, you’ll likely need to buy a new policy.
Check with your insurance provider before your current policy ends to avoid any gaps in cover.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
1 Correct as of March 2026
2 Based on the % of respondents reporting Compare the Market is their preferred brand in the last 12 months vs. other leading PCWs. Source: Savanta BrandVue Financial Services, National Representative Survey of 12,257 respondents (June 2026)
