Temporary Van Insurance

Temporary van insurance is a short term and flexible alternative to annual policies. With a temporary van insurance policy you can insure a van for anywhere from an hour to a month. Whether you need to borrow someone’s van, or you only insure yours when you need to use it, temporary van insurance can save you money and allow you to get on the road fully insured in minutes, any day of the week and at any time.

When Do You Need Temporary Van Insurance?

If you’re thinking of driving on UK roads in a van, you’ll need a valid insurance policy in place before setting off. It doesn’t matter if you’re helping someone move around the corner, or driving down to a festival, driving without van insurance could land you in serious trouble. There are many reasons why you might be in a situation where you need to drive a van temporarily, so make sure you’re covered.

Popular Uses

Moving to a New House or Office - Whether it’s you that’s moving house or one of your friends or relatives, getting everything to the new place is no easy task. Don’t rely on removal companies; borrowing a van is often the easiest and cheapest way to move house and will let you do it all at your own pace…whether that’s a few hours or over a full week!

In an emergency - Sometimes, the unexpected happens, and we find ourselves needing to drive a vehicle on short notice. Get you or someone else out of an emergency situation by sorting short-term van insurance in a matter of minutes, letting you get on the roads to where you need to be in an instant.

Transporting large items - Bought yourself a new sofa, king-sized bed or that American-style fridge freezer you’ve been dreaming of for years? You’ll probably need to borrow a van to get it home from the store or seller’s house, so take out a temporary insurance policy for a few hours whilst you get the job done!

For business use - If you’re a business owner or sole trader, being able to drive a van may well be essential. You might need to borrow a van to complete a one-off job or step into the driver’s seat when a colleague is off sick. Whatever the reason, there’s a temporary business van insurance policy to get you back on your way.

Buying, selling or test-driving a van - When vehicles change hands, there is often a period of time when there is no annual insurance policy in place. Don’t get caught out when driving your new van home after buying it; get short-term cover for the hours or days needed to see you through until you can get an annual policy sorted.

Going on holiday in the UK - If you’re going on a trip in the UK and plan to take everything, including the kitchen sink, you’ll more than likely need a van. Make borrowing one from family or friends for a couple of weeks easy with temporary insurance. You can also get short-term cover to split the driving with whoever you’re going on holiday with!

What's covered

You will receive a comprehensive cover for accidents, theft, loss or damage, including (Excludes Impound Release Vans):
Accidental damage
Personal injury to you or anyone else involved in an accident
Damage to other people’s property
Caused by an accident
Damaged or stolen
Cover for any personal belongings
With third-party insurance, your van isn’t covered, so going for a fully-comprehensive short-term van cover is a much safer option.

Eligibility Criteria

🚘 Vehicle Specs & Value

Vehicle Type: Commercial Vehicles/Vans up to 3.5 tonnes.
Value: Minimum £1 (subject to age) up to a maximum of £65,000.
Configuration: Maximum of 7 seats for private, or 5 seats for commercial use.
Build: Must not be imported or left-hand drive.
Modifications: Must not be modified (except for factory-fitted extras, disabled access modifications, or LPG conversions).
Legal Status: Must have a valid MOT, must not be declared SORN, and must not have been seized by police (unless using specific impound cover).

🌍 Usage & Travel

Permitted Use: Social, Domestic, and Pleasure (SD&P) or SD&P + Commercial use.
Scope: Includes commuting and personal business use only.
Geography: UK journeys only (must start and end in the UK).
Restrictions: Foreign use and vehicle exporting are strictly prohibited.

🚫 Exclusions & Ownership

Restricted Owners: No cover for vehicles owned, hired, or supplied by Claims, Credit Hire, or Accident Management companies.
Commercial Exclusions: Not for rental/hire vehicles, motor trade usage, or carrying hazardous goods.
Activity Exclusions: Not for motor racing, pacemaking, or track days.
Location Exclusions: Not for use at hazardous locations.
Impound Rule: Standard policies cannot be used for impounded/seized vehicles unless "Impounded Cover" is specifically selected.

👤 Driver Eligibility

Age: Drivers must be aged between 21 and 75 for both Private and Commercial vans.
Residency: Must have a current, permanent UK address (proof may be required).
Insurance History: Must never have been refused insurance or had a policy cancelled/voided.
Legal History: No criminal convictions or any pending prosecutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is temporary van insurance fully comp?

GoShorty temporary van insurance provides comprehensive protection, covering accidental damage to your vehicle or others, personal injury, damage to third-party property, and the theft or damage of personal belongings.

What types of work can I use my van for with a GMG policy?

This policy supports various professional uses, including work as a tradesperson, office-based roles, and others. However, cover is strictly invalidated for taxi use, commercial traveling, the motor trade, or transporting hazardous goods.

What type of vans do we cover?

We cover every type of van, provided they haven't been modified. While we insure vehicles that started life as campervans, we do not currently offer cover for motorhomes or any modified vehicles.

Will my temp van insurance policy appear on the motor insurance database (MID)?

We submit all temporary policies to the Motor Insurance Database (MID) four times a day, 365 days a year.

Lets Get Started

Take control of your coverage with confidence.

Our team is responsive, knowledgeable, and ready to guide you—just reach out and let us know how we can support your query.