Instant Temporary Car Insurance NI (2026)

Get covered in minutes — choose 1 hour to 28 days.

  • ✓ Drivers aged 18–75, protect the vehicle owner’s No Claims Discount
  • ✓ Insure a car for the exact amount of time you need it
  • ✓ Cover available from 1 hour to 28 days instantly

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Temporary Car Insurance Northern Ireland

OneClick Insure – Compare Temporary Car Insurance in Northern Ireland

OneClickInsure.co.uk can help you find and compare the cost temporary car insurance in NI

If you’re looking for short-term insurance and reside the North of Ireland, you’re in the right place. Through our partnership with GoShorty, OneClickInsure.co.uk lets you easily compare quotes online and get instant cover.

Get unbelievably fast, comprehensive short-term cover with OneClickInsure.co.uk — perfect for drivers aged 18–75. Be fully insured in minutes, with every policy protecting the vehicle owner’s No Claims Discount. Quick, simple and hassle-free temporary insurance exactly when you need it.

Why Temporary Car Insurance Northern Ireland is in big demand

In Northern Ireland, as well as in the UK, you’re legally obligated to get at least third-party cover for using any car on the road. That includes cars that you’re only driving as a one-off or even just parking on the road.

The minimum punishment for having a car uninsured is a fine, and if driving on the road, you will usually get points on your licence. The most likely outcome of driving without the correct insurance is having the vehicle impounded. You will then need to pay a fine and take out special impound car insurance to get the vehicle released from the pound.

Visitors or residents in Northern Ireland may need a short term insurance NI policy for a car for many different reasons. The majority of use cases are for holidaymakers, errands like moving house and transporting large items, or any reason that you’d need to drive a different car than usual for a short time.

This can be the car of a friend that you want to borrow, with permission of course, or a car that you’re renting to gain access to greater capacity. It could also be something exciting that you’re renting to get a taste of some serious speed or luxury on a road trip in your dream car. Another common reason is test-driving a car that is being sold privately, if you are buying off a dealer they should be able to provide trade cover for your test drive, but if you’re buying privately you will need test drive insurance, or you could be in legal trouble.

Does Go Shorty cover Northern Ireland?

Yes, one of the reasons Goshorty is so popular in NI is that it is one of the few providers of temp car insurance that will accept a Full Northern Ireland Licence, Provisional or Learner Northern Ireland Licence. Goshorty  also accept UK and or EU/EEA European Full Licence.

Go Shorty Reviews

Can I get temporary car insurance in Northern Ireland?

Temporary car insurance Northern Ireland is not available with all providers of short term insurance, but Go Shorty are able to provide this service to NI residents and residents of NI that have a full EU/EEA licence  

How long does it take to get short term car insurance?

Getting temporary car insurance Northern Ireland with Go Shorty is quick and easy to do online. You can apply and pay online and be covered to drive in 10-15 minutes.

How much is short-term car insurance in Northern Ireland?

The price of short-term car insurance will vary according to a few key factors that include the vehicle details and the driver’s driving history, but expect to pay from £38.50 for 7 days

Top Reasons you may need Temporary Car Insurance in Northern Ireland | OneClickInsure.co.uk

Who Is Temporary Insurance Ideal For?
Just bought a new car and need instant cover to drive it home
Borrowing a car from a friend or family member without affecting their No Claims Bonus
Borrowing a van to collect furniture or large items
Under 21 or student drivers needing short-term cover
Learner driver NI needing hourly, daily, weekly or monthly cover
Owners of classic or seasonal cars driven only in summer months
Allowing another driver to use your car for a short time — ideal for adding a driver to car insurance for a week or even longer
Your vehicle has been impounded — requiring impounded car insurance to release it
Drive-away cover for newly purchased vehicles

Benefits of Short Term Car Insurance

The popularity of temporary car insurance is in part due to its many uses and easy of purchase. The demand has also helped to reduce the cost as competition  heats up in this crowded marketplace. 

  • Easy to purchase online — no need for phone calls
  • Lend your car to a friend or family member while protecting your No Claims Bonus
  • Pay only for what you need — cover available from 1 hour to 28 days
  • Wide range of options — car, van, temporary hire & reward, and impound insurance
  • Insurance documents delivered instantly to your inbox and available 24/7

The demand for temporary insurance policies is high, as they offer a cheap solution to many situations that the traditional annual policy is just not a feasible solution. We have listed some of these common situations above, most common include borrowing a car or van from a friend or family member, on a temporary basis, and you wish to take out your own cover so should you have an accident any claim it will not impact the no claim’s history of the owner.

The policy will begin as soon as you need it to, and can often be tailored to end the day that you don’t need to drive the car anymore.

If you’re using the car for a really short period of only an hour or so, you can even tailor the policy down to the hour, so you’re not insured for longer than you have to be.

Temporary Car Insurance Vs Annual

Feature Temporary Car Insurance Annual Car Insurance
Cover Level Comprehensive cover as standard. Choice of third party, third party fire & theft, or fully comprehensive.
No Claims Bonus Impact ✔ Won’t affect vehicle owner’s NCB ✘ A claim may reduce the owner’s NCB
Application Speed Instant cover available — starts in as little as 15 minutes. Longer application process with multiple quotes and paperwork.

Qualifying Criteria for Temporary Car insurance

Qualifying Criteria for Temporary Car Insurance

  • The car or van must be registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.
  • The vehicle must NOT be modified.
  • Private car driver aged between 18 and 75.
  • Licence type: Full UK/NI/Isle of Man or EU/EEA held for at least 6 months (3 months acceptable if over 25).
  • Vehicle must not be used for carrying passengers or goods for hire & reward.
  • Vehicle must have a maximum of 8 seats.
  • No more than 2 accidents, claims or losses in the last 3 years.
  • No more than 6 penalty points within the last 3 years.
  • The vehicle must not be SORN or impounded. Cars seized by police require impounded car insurance to be released.

Who provides Temporary Car insurance in Northern Ireland?

Who Provides Temporary Car Insurance in Northern Ireland?

Provider Duration Age Range Excess Vehicle Types
GoShorty 1 hour to 28 days 17–75 £500 Car, Van, Learner
Veygo 1 hour to 60 days Varies £750 Car, Learner
DayInsure 1 hour to 30 days Varies£350 Car, Van, Learner
Tempcover 1 hour to 28 days Varies £500 Car, Van
Cuvva 1 hour to 28 days Varies Variable Car

How long can Temporary Car Insurance last in NI?

As mentioned above, these temp policies will operate ranging from only an hour, up to anywhere from 4 weeks, to a few months, depending on the provider. The time periods can be made to suit your needs, all you need to do is find the right provider, as not all will be equally flexible. 

If your policy is to be 6 or more months, you may find it more difficult to find a temporary or short term insurance provider to quote, as the majority specialise in shorter policies than this, often up to 30 days. However, many general insurance providers will offer a separate policy type to cover 3, 6 or 9 month policies, but again that will depend on the providers.

How is No Claims Bonus affected if using Temporary Cover?

Taking out a temporary insurance policy will not have any impact on your no claims history or that of the owner of the vehicle if the car is being borrowed.

Short Term NI Car Insurance FAQs’

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Temporary Car Insurance Providers

Oneclickinsure.co.uk have partnered with GoShorty to help you obtain Temporary Car Insurance. GoShorty is a trading style of Complex to Clear Group Limited, registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 751221). Company Registration Number 05044963. Data Protection Registration ZA456686.

Eamonn Turley - OneClickInsure.co.uk

About the Author: Eamonn Turley

Eamonn Turley is the founder of OneClickInsure.co.uk, an independent price comparison platform that helps users across the UK and Northern Ireland explore a range of insurance options quickly and easily. Eamonn specialises in presenting clear, straightforward information so users can compare policies with confidence and make informed decisions based on their own needs and circumstances.

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