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Have you ever found yourself in the role of designated driver after a night out? It’s an unsung hero’s duty to ensure everyone gets home safely after a good time. As the responsible (and sober!) one behind the wheel, your friends rely on you to be the saviour of the night – and whether you’re a student looking for temporary insurance or an under 21, we can get you home legally through our policies.

We understand the importance of being a designated driver, that’s why we’ve made getting a policy as quick, easy and pain-free as possible. Ideal for saving the day when innocent lunch dates escalate into spontaneous evening drinks, our temporary car insurance steps up, so you and your pals can enjoy the night without breaking the law.

At GoShorty, we’ve seen a lot of motorists take out short-term cover late at night or even in the early hours of the morning, as they do their friends a favour and drive them home in their vehicle. Drink-driving offences tend to increase in the lead up to Christmas and while we’re happy to see sober motorists doing the responsible thing on behalf of their pals, you MUST ensure you are legally insured to drive a car that you don’t own. That’s where we come in! 

How Easy it is to Get Designated Driver Insurance

The easiest way to get designated driver insurance is to take out one of our temporary car insurance policies on the car you need to drive everyone home in, you will be ensuring you are properly covered, even protecting the owner’s no claims discount.

You can get covered with us in under two minutes, 24 hours a day, every day, all year long. So, even if you are only doing a 10 minute drive at 1am, you can do it safely and legally with us. Our hourly insurance is perfect for your designated driver duties. There is no being on hold trying to secure cover, our quick and easy online quoting process means you can secure your policy and have it straight in your inbox in no time at all.

 What Do We Mean by a ‘Designated Driver’?

What is a designated driver? Put simply, a designated driver is a member of your team who has either volunteered themselves or been volunteered by the rest to drive everybody to and/or from your chosen destination. With the promise to stay sober all night and get everyone home safely (including the car, and owner of said car!) being a designated driver is like being the unsung hero of your group. No need for capes here though, just a simple oath to stay sensible and focus on getting everybody home in one piece. 

But being a designated driver is more than just driving – it’s about being responsible, having each other’s backs, and genuinely caring about everyone’s safety. It saves you and your group from expensive taxis and ensures the safety of everyone on the roads, by committing to no drink driving at all.

How Much Does Designated Driver Insurance Cost?

Most designated driver policies will only be required for around an hour, which you can get from as low as £16.98, far cheaper than your average late night taxi ride. 

As with all insurance policies the exact cost is determined by the specific information you provide during the quoting process. But to get an estimate you can use our temporary car insurance calculator.

The Importance of Having a Designated Driver

Nine times out of 10, a night out often involves more than just a drink or two. It’s practically British culture, a social ritual. And in the midst of the festivities, having a designated driver is like having a guardian angel for your journey home. They skip the drinks, stay sharp, and stay fit to get behind the wheel when you’re all partied out.

But why does it matter so much? Well, apart from avoiding the headache of having your Uber cancel as the sun comes up and the birds start chirping, and definitely avoiding getting behind the wheel whilst intoxicated, you’re keeping the roads safe – especially when they’re at their most dangerous, as day turns into night. When you get behind the wheel after drinking, not only are you putting your own and your group’s lives in danger, but also everybody else’s on the road. The designated driver’s responsibilities are to stay in a legal and safe state to drive, in turn avoiding lengthy driving bans and even the possibility of jail if caught intoxicated behind the wheel.

And remember, being the designated driver isn’t all bad! You get a cheap night out, if you can persuade your friends to pay you back, maybe even a free night out the next time you hit the bars, and no hangover the next day! It’s a win-win.

Who our Designated Driver Insurance Covers

For full details on our insurance criteria, see our who we cover page. Some key factors to consider to check you can get one of our temporary insurance policies are –

The Vehicle:

  • Cars and Commercial Vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes)
  • Minimum value Cars and Vans: £1* subject to age restrictions
  • Maximum value Cars: £65,000
  • Is not imported or left-hand drive and not modified (factory fitted extras or modifications for a disabled driver or passenger, or LPG conversions are acceptable).
  • Has no more than 7 seats and is not a rental or hire vehicle (if commercial – no more than 5 seats)
  • Must not be modified. LPG conversions and Disabled Modified are acceptable
  • Have a valid MOT (if required), is NOT declared as SORN (off-road) with DVLA and has NOT been seized by the police.
  • Not to be used for impounded or seized vehicles (unless specified as impounded cover)

The Driver:

  • Private Car – driver aged 18 to 75
  • Has a current permanent address as stated throughout this application (please note you may be asked to provide proof of residence in the event of a claim)
  • Has not ever been refused insurance, had a policy cancelled or voided
  • No driving ban in the last 60 months

Why GoShorty for Designated Driver Cover

We understand that the need for a designated driver can arise at any given hour, especially when the night is still young. That’s why our temporary car insurance is designed for your convenience. With us, you can purchase a policy quickly and efficiently, receive a quote in as little as 90 seconds, and get on the roads! No need to stress about navigating complex insurance processes or holding the line for 45 minutes when you’re doing a favour for your friends – we’ve simplified the process to ensure you can hit the roads with confidence and find the right coverage with ease. 

And if you are worried about insurance showing up on the MID (Motor Insurance Database), then be rest assured that we update the MID twice a day, every day. So, you are likely to avoid any MID issues. Plus all your necessary insurance documentation is always emailed straight over to you, so if you were to get pulled over – you will have the docs to prove you have taken out cover. 

Designated driver insurance isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity when you’re committed to ensuring the safety of your friends and loved ones. Driving someone else’s car, even for a short distance, requires proper insurance cover. Our policies are fast, affordable and can be fixed for as little as an hour or as long as a day – covering all your needs. 

Our policies provide customers with comprehensive coverage, meaning you’ll have maximum security when you’re out on the roads. So next time you are on a night out, think about how you’re getting home beforehand and if you are using a designated driver, ensure they have proper cover with our temporary car insurance, the perfect option for designated driver insurance. Get a quote today.

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