Borrowing a car
Insurance to drive someone else's car
Driving other cars on your own policy is rarer than people think, and usually third party only. A temporary policy in your own name gives you comprehensive cover on the borrowed car, and keeps the owner's insurance out of it.
From £16.76 for one day, including Insurance Premium Tax. No admin fees, no renewals.
Good for
- Borrowing a parent's, partner's or friend's car.
- Sharing the driving on a long journey.
- Looking after a car while its owner is abroad.
- Driving a relative to appointments in their own car.
- Helping a friend move house in their car.
Your policy, not theirs
The owner does not need to add you as a named driver or tell their insurer.
No-claims protected
Because the policy is yours and separate from any annual insurance, a claim on it is handled here and does not touch the vehicle owner's no-claims bonus.
Any length
An hour to move the car, or four weeks while they are away.
Why not just use the owner's policy?
Adding a named driver to an annual policy can be slow, may carry an administration fee, and any claim would sit on the owner's record. Some annual policies include a 'driving other cars' extension, but it is typically third party only and often excluded for drivers under 25, so damage to the borrowed car would come out of your own pocket.
A temporary policy avoids all of that. You are the policyholder, the cover is comprehensive, and the owner's insurance is never involved.
What you need
The car's registration number and the owner's permission to drive it. Drivers aged 18 to 78 with a full UK, EU or EEA licence. Vehicles must be worth under £50,000, be roadworthy, and have valid tax and MOT where required. You need the owner's permission to drive.
The standard excess is £500 (£1,000 for drivers under 25). You can reduce it to £250 with the excess reduction option at the quote stage. Cover applies in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. For trips of a day or longer you can add the European driving extension.
See your price in about two minutes
Every factor listed before you pay. No account needed.
Questions
Borrowing a car: common questions
- Do I need the owner's permission?
- Yes. You confirm at the quote stage that you have the owner's permission and that the car is roadworthy, taxed and MOT tested where required.
- Does the owner need to tell their insurer?
- No. Your temporary policy is entirely separate from theirs.
- Can I borrow a car if I am under 25?
- Yes. Drivers from 18 upwards are eligible. Younger drivers pay a higher rate and carry a £1,000 standard excess, which can be reduced to £250 with the excess reduction option.
- What if I damage the borrowed car?
- Cover is comprehensive, so damage to the car is claimable on your policy, less the excess. The owner's no-claims bonus is not affected.
Related cover
Other ways to use SureHour
Temporary car insurance
Comprehensive temporary car insurance from one hour to four weeks. Quote in two minutes, price shown before you pay, documents emailed straight away.
Daily car insurance
Comprehensive one day car insurance from £16.76. Also two, three and five day policies. Quote in two minutes, documents emailed immediately.
Learner driver insurance
Temporary learner driver insurance from one hour to four weeks. Practise in a parent's or friend's car with comprehensive cover and no risk to their no-claims bonus.
Weekly car insurance
Comprehensive car insurance for one, two or three weeks. Cheaper per day than daily cover, no renewal, price shown before you pay.