Does Insurance Always Cover You for a Courtesy Car?

27 June 2023 10:27 Leave a Comment

Generally, if you’re in need of a courtesy car, something’s wrong with your own vehicle and that can become quite stressful. While your car is out of action – whether it’s in the garage after an accident or simply in need of some routine maintenance – you’ll require a temporary replacement and might be wondering if you need to organise courtesy car insurance, as well.

While most insurance companies will provide a courtesy car, many insurance policies only provide third-party coverage, which could leave you vulnerable in case of an accident or any damage to the courtesy car. Your insurance company may also place a time limit on it – meaning that if your vehicle is out of action for a while, you’ll need alternative cover.

We always recommend checking the small print of your existing policy to fully understand the limitations and coverage you’re eligible for.

At GoShorty, we understand the importance of peace of mind during such times. With our fully comprehensive coverage options, you can rest assured knowing that you’re protected. So, if you’re wondering, ‘Am I insured to drive a courtesy car?’ – we’ve got you covered.

With our easy and hassle-free process, you can acquire temporary car insurance quickly, leaving you free to concentrate on more important things.

**What is a Courtesy Car?**

A courtesy car is a temporary replacement vehicle provided by an insurance company or a garage while your car is being repaired or serviced. It ensures that you can continue your daily activities without interruption, minimising inconvenience during the repair process.

Whether you’ve been involved in an accident or your vehicle needs extensive repairs, a courtesy car can be a lifesaver.

**What Insurance Do You Need to be Covered on a Courtesy Car?**

Your existing insurance may offer third-party insurance, which covers damages to other vehicles and property but – crucially – not your own. This means your policy may not provide sufficient protection for a courtesy car, which could leave you further out of pocket.

With fully comprehensive insurance, you know you’re covered for any damages or accidents that may occur while using your courtesy car – regardless of the circumstances. This way you don’t fall into a courtesy car insurance trap.

Temporary Car Insurance for Courtesy Cars

GoShorty offers temporary insurance specifically designed to cover courtesy cars. Our temporary insurance policies provide fully comprehensive cover, ensuring that you have the best protection while driving a courtesy car.

With flexible durations and competitive rates, you can get the coverage you need for the exact period you require it, from mere hours up to 28 days. Our user-friendly platform allows you to obtain temporary car insurance quickly and conveniently, so you can focus on getting back out on the road with confidence. Best of all, your no claims discount will remain intact in the event of an accident.

Borrowing a Car if You Can’t Get a Courtesy Car

Your insurance policy may not cover a courtesy car, leaving you without a temporary replacement vehicle while your car is out of action.

In this case, if you require a car to go about your daily business – from school drop-offs to commuting – there are alternative options available.

If you have friends or family members who are willing to lend you their car, temporary insurance from GoShorty can provide you with the necessary coverage to use their vehicle, worry-free. Whether you’re popping to the shops or need a ride for a weekend away – this is a cost-effective option to keep you on the road.

At GoShorty, we offer comprehensive temporary car insurance specifically tailored for courtesy cars, ensuring you have the protection you need during this time. Our policies provide the peace of mind you deserve, so grab a quick quote and see how simple it is to get covered, with GoShorty.

Commuting Tips to Save Costs

16 June 2023 14:20 Comments Off

In the UK, our two main methods of getting to work are cars and trains, with 68% of us using a car as our main mode of transport.

As many of us now work in a hybrid model, in heading back to the office we have been increasingly affected by train strikes, rising ticket costs and increased petrol prices.

While many people would prefer to work from home on a permanent basis, a lot of businesses have forced their workforces to return to the office at least a few times a week.

According to the Office for National Statistics…

Only 16% of UK adults reported working solely from home

46% of people who travel to work are NOT able to work from home at all

65% of 16 to 24-year-olds cannot work from home

*Data covers September 2022 to January 2023 and is based on working adults who had worked in the seven days prior to the survey

How to Save Money On the Commute

Combined with the need to reduce outgoings due to the cost-of-living crisis, many of us have been looking for commuting tips to make our journey to and from work more cost-effective.

Some suggestions for commuting tips to save costs include cycling, or walking to work. Exercise is always good. If your journey to work doesn’t lend itself to either of these options, you could continue commuting to work by car, but with someone else and even sharing the drive thanks to temporary insurance cover.

Commuter car shares are an option that involves sharing a ride with others who are heading in the same direction as you. This can significantly reduce your transportation expenses, as you split the cost of fuel and any parking fees among the group.

It’s an option gaining in popularity. The term “carpooling” has seen an increase in Google searches of 71% over the past 3 years, with its twin-sibling “Lift share” being searched for twice as much – witnessing a 100% boost as people look to learn more about it.

You may have started looking into it – whether to save costs or to help reduce your carbon footprint – and you may be wondering if there is a specific car insurance policy for commuting.

One option is temporary car insurance, which would allow you to drive someone else’s car into work and vice versa. This type of cover can be obtained in as little as 90 seconds with GoShorty – meaning that any last minute train-cancellations don’t have to completely ruin your day and get you into trouble with your boss!

Tips for Commuting to Work by Car

Car sharing has a number of positive sides to it, including lower travelling costs, reduced carbon footprint, greater social interaction – and if we all did it – fewer cars on the road, meaning quicker journeys to work!

With all this in mind it’s no surprise that uptake of car sharing saw a 22% increase last year as people flocked to save money and take advantage of new working styles.

If you’re interested in trying car sharing, talk to friends, family and colleagues to discover who might be interested in travelling into work together.

You can even take advantage of this if there’s only one car to use, with temporary car insurance, you take turns driving just one car. This can cover you for as little as one hour or up to 28 days.

There are some tips you can utilise to ensure you make the most of the experience.

Plan the commute – liaise with your car-sharing friends to arrange the route and who’s driving in which direction.

Coordinate with your colleagues so you’re all going in on the same day. If you have a hybrid working policy, make sure to consider this when deciding which days to go in.

Be savvy! Make some coffee or tea and put in a flask to get your morning off to a great start and share with your travelling companions.

Use GoShorty to cover one or both directions of travel.

Using temporary car-insurance from GoShorty means you’ll have complete peace of mind with fully comprehensive cover for the time period you choose. Best of all, everyone’s no claims bonus will be unaffected in the event of an accident claim.

Car sharing is a great alternative to driving to work by yourself, and offers a solution to the stress of last-minute train cancellations.

It also has benefits for your local area, reducing traffic, creating more spaces and having a positive effect on the environment – and your journey will be cheaper thanks to split fuel and parking costs. And it could lead to some great bonding opportunities.

To find out more check out our dedicated car sharing page, and if you’re interested in understanding how much it would cost to get insured just for your commute, we’ve got you covered.

Summer Insurance Tips for your Convertible Car

12:02 Comments Off

If you have a convertible car, or any car for that matter, that you only tend to use during the sunnier months of the year, you may be wasting a lot of money by having it insured on standard annual policies. Opting for temporary car insurance for these summer vehicles could be a better route to take in getting the vehicle insured.

GoShorty’s temporary car insurance is a more cost-effective and flexible method of insurance compared to annual policies, allowing you to insure your vehicle for just the time you need it for, meaning there is no wasted policy period. As well as being flexible, allowing you to explore hourly, daily and weekly coverage options, GoShorty’s service provides quotes in as little as 90 seconds. This means that those spontaneous summer road trip plans can be fulfilled, as the service is quick and easy to sort.

Why Temporary Cover is the Best Summer Car Insurance

Summer only vehicles should not be getting annual insurance policies on them, it’s a huge waste of money and time when there is no need to have the vehicle insured during the months you’re not using it. Temporary car insurance lets you get covered from one hour up to 28 days, so whether you just want a weekend away, or plan to travel for a few weeks, GoShorty’s service is there for you.

Temporary insurance is more than ideal for taking trips with friends and family, especially when there is more than one person with a driver’s licence involved. Multiple people can get themselves insured on the same vehicle easily, meaning you can share the driving, reducing the load on the drivers and also reducing the amount of vehicles on the road, a win-win!

Car sharing and summer car insurance is definitely becoming more and more of the norm, we see 27% of our policies taken out in the summer months. A time of year when temporary insurance cover really does come in handy.

This is an especially handy option when compared to renting a convertible or summer car from a rental company. Rental packages are expensive enough and some of them do not include insurance, which will cost you even more. Insuring yourself with temporary cover on a friend or family member’s car is a much easier and cheaper option.

Taking advantage of the flexibility that temporary insurance offers will save you money in the long run whilst still letting you enjoy your convertible car in the summer. Our policies allow you and your friends or family to all share the driving in one vehicle, making travelling together easier for everyone involved.

You will also be saving a significant amount due to the fact that traditional insurance is more expensive for convertible vehicles, this is due to a number of reasons…

Why Convertible Insurance is More Costly

One being, convertible cars are more expensive to build, meaning they are more expensive to repair and thus, more expensive to insure.

In many cases, convertible car tops will have to be repaired or replaced after a period of time, regardless of how safe you may drive. And due to their designs, convertibles are easier to break into, especially the soft tops.

Being a typically sporty vehicle means more horsepower and the ability to reach top speeds faster. The increased speed and power increases the chances of an accident, even if you are a perfectly safe driver.

All these risks associated with this perfect summer car, mean annual insurance costs can really put a dent in your wallet. Which is why if it is a car you only use on special occasions or when the weather is just right, it just makes sense to insure it temporarily!

Check out our temporary car insurance page to see how quick and easy it can be to get a policy with us, your summer travel plans will come to fruition in no time.

The Best Car Insurance for Students

11:39 Comments Off

As a newly qualified driver, you’ll find that student car insurance annual premiums are eye-wateringly expensive. As a result it’s not always a feasible option to own a car at uni, but you are likely to know someone that does have one, for those times when the uni buses just won’t cut it.

Being able to share driving with friends will make life much easier. You don’t want to add multiple names to a policy though, as it doesn’t make sense for only a few months of the year.

The best car insurance for students provides enough coverage in the event of an accident, but doesn’t leave a dent in your wallet doing so. One option you may not have considered is temporary student car insurance.

This type of car insurance would suit you whether you wanted to do a big supermarket trip or the longer drive to see your parents, and you can get covered in as little as 90 seconds.

Why Temporary Insurance Is Best for Students Wanting to Drive

As a student you’ll have two main options if you want to drive

Own a car that won’t be used all the time.
Borrow a car when you need it.

When money is tight, owning a car could be considered a luxury. As well as insurance, you’ll need to cover the MOT, annual service, car tax and any parking permits – not to mention fuel.

One solution is to borrow a car when necessary. This could be a flatmate’s car to do the weekly shop, your parents car when back at home, or a friend’s car for a week long road trip.

In these cases, temporary car insurance would give you cover for the time you need it, from 1 hour through to 28 days.

With GoShorty, it’s also fully comprehensive, meaning that there’s increased peace of mind over a third party led insurance policy, and you’ll be instantly covered.

**How Can Students Get Temporary Car Insurance?**

Obtaining temporary car insurance with GoShorty is a quick and simple 4-stage process that can be done in less time than it takes to make a Pot Noodle.

To get covered with GoShorty, you’ll need a full-driving licence (that you’ve had for at least 6 months) and permission from the owner of the car you’ll be insured on.

Then all we need to know is

Your name.
Your address
The registration number of the car insuring
Your driving licence details.
How long you want cover for.
When you want it to start.

You’ll then get a quote, and once paid, you’ll be instantly covered from your chosen start date and able to drive. It will also protect any no-claims discount on the car that you’re insured on.

Whether you want to drive while at home for Christmas, share the driving on a summer holiday or just pop to Nan’s, temporary student car insurance is a quick and easy option to ensure that driving whilst you’re studying doesn’t leave you out of pocket.

See how quickly you could get a quote, and start planning your next drive using temporary student insurance now.

Understanding Car Insurance Criteria

11:33 Comments Off

Many car insurance companies seem to want to know what you had for breakfast before giving you a quote. This is because insurers take into consideration a large number of factors when calculating how much premium to charge for your vehicle.

Whether you’re only using a car over the weekend, getting extra practice in ahead of your test, or perhaps a colleague is lending you a van for a few errands, you don’t want to worry about not being able to get covered by an insurance company.

Whilst comparing insurers, you’ll be asked a multitude of questions, some of which may not make much sense. It can become an overwhelming, time-consuming undertaking – when you just want to drive, the last thing you want to do is worry about car insurance criteria.

Thankfully, we’ve got you covered for that cross-country roadtrip with our large range of temporary policies. If you’re here as a result of a last-minute search to find temporary cover, we can also provide a quote and get you covered within the next 90 seconds!

What Car Insurance Criteria Means

Very briefly, car insurance criteria means what is taken into account by insurers, to decide whether they will give you a policy or not. Some of the common insurance criteria and what they mean are:

Age – If you’re under 30 or over 75, you’re likely to have a higher costing policy as many accidents involve younger or older drivers.
Gender – Men statistically cause more accidents than women so might see a higher cost.
Experience – The less experienced you are, the more at risk of an accident you are – and insurers take this into account.
Car type – Companies have records on the makes of the cars that are most involved in accidents. They will want to know the insurance group your car type sits in.
Where the car is kept overnight – Parking on the street is less safe than leaving it on a driveway, for example.
Location – Certain postcodes have a higher rate of car theft.
Mileage – How often you drive affects the chances of insurance payouts.
Excess – The more you’re willing to pay in towards any individual claim, the less you will pay on an ongoing basis.
Driving history – The length of time you have had your licence, any points on your licence, any previous claims or convictions.

This is the basic information that insurers need to present you with a cost. Each insurer grades them differently and offers can vary hugely, so it is important to shop around when getting quotes.

Who Meets Our Car Insurance Criteria?

As specialists in temporary insurance, our cover is a little more flexible. Essentially, all we ask is what make and model the car is, how long you want to be covered, who you are and that you have a licence. Simple.

Our temporary car insurance is open to private drivers from 18 to 75
Our temporary van insurance policies cover commercial drivers from 19 to 75
We also offer specialist cover for learner drivers. This gives you the opportunity to get more practice in between lessons.

Whether you require car insurance for an hour or a month – as long as you have a valid UK driver’s licence, and the vehicle is staying within the UK, you should be covered in a matter of minutes.

Why May No Car Insurer Be Accepting You?

Car insurers have stringent checks in place to make sure they’re at the least risk of paying out. You may find it difficult or prohibitive to get a policy if you have just passed your test, have a history of bad driving, or a high-risk occupation that may put you in a position where you are unable to earn.

It’s worth speaking directly to insurers to understand more about why you’re getting rejected, but in the meantime, one solution could be temporary insurance. This gives you the option of short-term cover to allow you to get behind the wheel with peace of mind.

GoShorty temporary insurance will cover even convicted drivers, meaning there is no excuse for not helping your mate move house!

Car insurance is a necessary part of driving, but insurers have to protect their interests. With annual policies, it can sometimes feel like you’re being rejected for no good reason, or you get waylaid by confusing criteria.

One solution is to look at temporary car insurance to cover you for hours, days or weeks, rather than a whole year.

See how easy and accessible insurance is with GoShorty, and get a fully-comprehensive quote in 90 seconds from us today.

Comprehensive Vs Third Party Car Insurance

7 June 2023 11:29 Comments Off

Choosing the right cover for your car can be time-consuming and confusing. When considering which is best for you, you’ll likely end up comparing comprehensive vs third party insurance.

At GoShorty, we understand that it can be difficult to know if you’re making the correct choice. Recent trends have shown a move away from Third Party to Comprehensive car insurance, and at GoShorty, to keep things simple, we only offer fully comprehensive cover.

It’s useful to understand more about both options before making a decision. If you’re unsure and don’t want to commit, there are also short-term options to consider. With our simple, temporary, fully comprehensive cover, the only thing you need to be concerned about is an alien invasion. (but even that might be sorted under the vandalism cover).

**What is Third Party Insurance and What Does it Cover?**

Third Party Insurance (also known as ‘TPO’) provides the minimum cover required to drive legally in the UK. It tends to have a lower price-point than other insurance types, so it is a popular choice with drivers (especially the learning or newly qualified) as it reduces the pain to your wallet.

Third-party car insurance covers you for damage and injury that your car does to other vehicles, property or people. but it does not cover damage to your own car. It will cover anything that happens to passengers in your car.

There is also more relevance with drivers whose car may cost more to repair than replace – it may not be worth the cost of full coverage. If your car is worth less than the annual insurance cost, Third Party could be the way to go.

**What is the Difference Between Comprehensive and Third Party Insurance?**

Comprehensive car insurance (also known as ‘Fully Comp’) covers your own car against pretty much anything that could go wrong on or off the road.

This includes damage caused by accidents, theft, fire, natural disasters and other events, as well as damage to other people’s property and injuries to other people in case you are at fault in an accident.

Third-party car insurance only covers you against damage or injury that you cause to other people or their property while driving your car. It’s limited in scope to the area that you damage – not your car or any of its contents.

Fully comprehensive protection may also cover, or offer additional extras that you may not have considered. You may ask yourself “what happens if I put the wrong fuel in the tank?”. The answer is “nothing expensive” if you’re comprehensively covered. You won’t be left out of pocket beyond your insurance excess.

Why Choose Comprehensive Insurance Over Third Party

A fully comprehensive policy also covers anything that happens to you, or your car. With many “fully comp” policies you’ll have the option of enhanced cover – adding protection for events such as key replacement, legal fees or offering a courtesy car if yours is out of action for a prolonged period of time. It could also cover windscreen repair, broken audio equipment, and even personal belongings that are lost or damaged whilst in the car.

Third party insurance could leave too much up to chance. As car accidents rarely leave only one vehicle unscathed, your wallet would feel the brunt of having to fix a broken windscreen, or replace a front wheel. If you depend on your car or van for your livelihood, you’ll want it fixed as quickly as possible.

Despite its reputation, Third Party insurance is often more expensive than fully comp as those with a basic level of cover are statistically involved in more accidents, and as a result, policies can be bumped up.

You may be the safest driver on the road, but the point of insurance is to protect against the unexpected. If you’re fully covered then you don’t have to worry about moments that leave you by the side of the road or without a car.

You may have third party insurance in place already, but if you’re going on a longer journey or feel you might need more coverage, GoShorty could offer you a solution. From hours to months – you can get temporary (and cheaper) coverage through us to make sure that any mishap won’t be a problem.

Everyone’s circumstances are different. Third Party cover is suitable for some, but for full peace of mind you’ll likely want a fully comprehensive insurance policy.

Temporary car insurance can be a solution in many situations – perhaps you’re learning to drive, lending a van to help move house, or maybe borrowing a car while yours is in the garage.
If you want to safely trial a fully comp insurance scheme – you can get temporary insurance through GoShorty. We cover everything you need covered and your no-claims bonus won’t be affected if you do need to make a claim. Best of all, we can give you a quote in about 90 seconds.

Everything You Need to Know About Car Insurance as a Returning Expat to UK

16 May 2023 09:00 Comments Off

As an expat, returning to the UK for a visiting period is no doubt a busy time, finding the best way to get around the country without having to rely on friends or family for transport can be difficult, and solely relying on public transport can be even more complicated, as well as expensive.

An option to explore is temporary car insurance, which is available for non UK residents. Temporary cover is ideal for expats looking to get car insurance, as it is a flexible, short-term option, allowing you to drive a vehicle, whether it is borrowed or one you left in the UK, for the amount of time you may need it.

What Are The Driving Options Available to Expats Visiting UK?

When visiting the UK, you don’t want to be burdening friends and family for lifts. Although they will more than likely try to help you out, it isn’t an ideal situation to be totally reliant on them as your mode of transportation.

It will limit your freedom by having to work around when they can provide a lift, and it will put pressure on them to be available when you need them.

Another option is hiring a car, which can be expensive in the UK, especially if you are needing the vehicle for more than a few days. Although this option will give you more freedom and allow you to drive yourself, it really is not the best route to go down if you want to avoid spending a lot of money, especially after the costs of travelling back to the UK.

The Best Solution is Expat Car Insurance

The best option both for flexibility and lower costs would be temporary car insurance. If you still have a UK licence, you are able to get covered by our policies, allowing you to get covered on someone you know’s car, or your own car if you still have one in the country.

This insurance option allows you to pick a policy that covers you for the exact amount of time you need it for. Meaning if it’s just for a day you can be covered for 24 hours, or if you need it for a few weeks you can find a temporary policy to fit around that too.

This flexible cover means you don’t have to worry about overpaying for insurance that you don’t need, you’ll only be paying for the exact amount of time you require cover for.

Best Way to Insure Visiting Family on Your Car

If you are a UK resident expecting a visitor from abroad, perhaps a child returning from studying away or just an old friend coming to visit, it is very easy to insure them on your own vehicle.

Your friend or family member can take out a temporary policy on your vehicle for the period they are visiting and it will have no impact on your no claims bonus as it sits as a separate policy to your own.

This means they can be easily covered for the time they visit, allowing them to use your vehicle on their own for as long as they need without you having to worry about your own insurance being impacted, or how much time will be needed to ferry them around.

If you are an expat visiting home, our temporary insurance is the best option to go for if you are wanting to freely drive around the country without having to rely on public transport or lifts from friends and family.

Again, just be aware you do need a UK, EU/EEA driving licence for this to be possible. This insurance is flexible around you and will not impact the car owner’s own insurance, making it an ideal option for everyone involved.

Get a quote in less than two minutes now!

Do You Need Insurance to Tax a Car?

08:21 Comments Off

Having both car tax and insurance is essential to keeping your vehicle road legal.

Road tax, also known as vehicle excise duty, is needed for cars being used on the road and parked on public roads, making it a necessity for drivers to obtain.

You cannot tax your car without insurance. Fortunately, GoShorty’s convenient temporary car insurance policies will allow you to insure your vehicle for a short time in order to sort your tax out.

You could insure your car for just a day or even a few hours of insurance, which would give you enough time to obtain the much needed road tax.

When Do You Need Road Tax?

If you are using your car, it needs to be taxed, even if it is just parked on the road outside of your home not being driven.

Road tax is needed to keep roads safe and efficient for drivers, as the money paid towards road tax is paid directly into a government fund which is used for projects such as road improvements and maintenance.

You will need to tax your vehicle every year, or when you buy a new car even if it is a used one. The tax can be paid annually, which tends to be the cheapest option, bi-annually, every six months or monthly via direct debit, whatever suits you best.

Some vehicles are exempt from road tax costs, however (you still need to have tax, but in these instances it incurs no fee). These vehicles are:

Vehicles for disabled people
Vehicles used for community transport purposes
Vehicles made before 1983
Vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture and forestry
Fully electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, this does not include plug-in hybrid vehicles
Vehicles that have been declared as SORN
Steam vehicles
Mowing machines that are only used for cutting grass (not including tractors used to tow mowers)

What is Needed to Tax a Car?

To get your vehicle taxed, you will need a valid insurance policy and for the car to be MOT’d. Some other things to consider are:

If you are taxing your vehicle online you will need a V11 reminder, the V5C with an eleven-digit reference number, or the new keeper slip with the twelve-digit reference number.
If you are taxing your car over the phone, you will need the information on your V5C or new keeper slip.
For taxing your vehicle in a Post Office, you will need either the new keeper slip, V5C, or V62. You should also take an MOT test certificate, proof of address, and photo ID.

**Can You Tax a Car Without Insurance?**

Having insurance to get your car taxed is an absolute must – you cannot get road tax sorted if you are not insured.

When taxing your car, the DVLA checks official databases to make sure you have a valid MOT and insurance, without these obtaining road tax won’t be possible.

Can I Tax A Car With Temporary Insurance?

Since you need to be insured to get road tax, short-term insurance can be a great option for drivers trying to save money. Short-term car insurance is completely valid and acceptable when getting a vehicle taxed, and for drivers looking to sort their tax as soon as possible, it may be the best option to go with.

In fact, we have seen more than 5,000 drivers use our short-term insurance policies specifically to obtain road tax over the past year.

For new cars it could be even more useful, as these vehicles will need insurance and taxing after purchase, even if they are just sitting in your driveway! Taking advantage of GoShorty’s policies will make things easier here, as you can insure your vehicle for a day, a week or a month depending on your needs.

Getting your vehicle taxed is a necessary step in getting you on the road. Making use of our short-term insurance options is a great way of obtaining tax in a quick and easy manner, without the need for an annual insurance policy, letting you get things sorted sooner rather than later.

Eyesight

You will need to confirm you can still safely read a car registration plate number from at least 20m away.

You must be able to provide a legitimate form of identification. E.g a valid UK passport.

Address

You must be able to provide your address for the past 3 years, along with proof of residence.

Cost

The current cost to renew your licence online is £14.00. If you renew via the Post Office, the fee is currently £21.50.

What does temporary car insurance cover?

2 December 2021 13:59 Leave a Comment

Are you finding that car ownership is not only a drain on your pocket, but no longer fits in with your lifestyle? You aren’t alone. Many more of us now work largely from home with only the odd day in a workplace. So, we don’t need a car for a daily commute. Perhaps your children are now increasingly independent and no longer rely on you to act as their taxi driver? Or it could be that you pretty much know when you need access to a car, such as when doing the weekly shop, or for planned trips out of your local area.

What’s the solution?

The answer to this increasingly common situation is to come to an agreement to either share or borrow a car, which may be possible with a friend or family member. You can agree to pay a share of the costs, such as for fuel or servicing and on how you make use of the car so that both parties’ benefit. This is also a positive move for the environment, and it can work particularly well if you live in an area where there is adequate public transport.

What makes borrowing a car when you need it even easier is the ready availability of temporary car insurance. Cover from GoShorty is fully comprehensive and easy to buy online, taking just a few minutes, with the documents emailed to your inbox.

The other big plus point is that temporary car insurance cover is extremely affordable, so if you choose to ditch your car and share one instead, you’ll soon notice some big savings.

Short-term cover – it’s flexible and convenient

This is insurance you can rely on, and the car owner’s No Claims Bonus remains protected. What’s more, if you do need to claim, you can be assured that GoShorty only uses trusted insurers that provide quality service.

GoShorty is all about flexibility and you can take out insurance for as little as an hour, up to 28 days.

Once you’re covered by short term car insurance, you can use the vehicle for a wide range of uses, to include social, commuting, and personal business use. There are a host of different reasons why temporary car insurance cover works so well for so many people, such as when sharing the driving on a longer journey, transporting a heavy item from a store to your home or test driving a car that is being privately sold to name but a few examples.

Wide acceptance criteria

People of all ages – from 18 to 75 – can take out cover from GoShorty and you can cover many types of cars and vans – van drivers need to be aged 21 or over.

Vehicles need a valid MOT and can have a value of from £500 right up to £60,000. You simply need to have held a full driver’s licence (UK or EU/EEA) for at least six months and to have had no more than two accidents, claims or losses in the last three years regardless of fault. You must also have had no more than six penalty points in the last three years and to have been resident in the UK for at least 12 months and with a permanent address.

Find your perfect insurance partner in GoShorty – get a temporary insurance quote today. Alternatively, use our temporary car insurance calculator to give you an idea of how much your policy could cost. It takes seconds to generate an estimated price.

Can an 18 year old buy temporary car insurance?

13:57 Leave a Comment

Is temporary car insurance right for an 18 year old?

For young drivers, buying car insurance is a costly business, because they lack experience and statistics show they have more accidents. No wonder insurers hike up the premiums.

Safe driving comes with practice and so it’s tough for those who have recently passed their test to gain that invaluable time on the road. Insurance may be priced at around £2,000 a year for those in urban areas and added to all the other costs of owning a car, can make matters impossible.

So, what can be done to allow young drivers the chance to obtain insurance and drive when they need to?

Think short-term insurance

One option for an 18 year old is temporary car insurance. This means a young driver can take out comprehensive cover on a car they borrow on an as needed basis. The car’s owner can be reassured their No Claims Bonus remains protected.

The leading provider, GoShorty, will insure drivers aged 18 and above. This is providing they have held a driver’s licence – full UK or EU/EEA – for at least six months. They also need to have been resident in the UK for at least 12 months and have a permanent address.

Temporary car insurers want to cover sensible young drivers. As a result, they won’t cover those who’ve racked up many penalty points or had several accidents. Drivers with driving bans and criminal convictions will also not able to obtain temporary insurance. In terms of the car they borrow, this needs to be registered in the UK and without modifications, other than for a disabled driver or an LPG conversion.

Those meeting the criteria will find short term car insurance cover is the ideal way to get behind the wheel.

Pick a suitable car

Understandably, insurers don’t want to see a young driver in a Lamborghini. So, a cheaper quote can be obtained if the car is from a ‘low’ insurance group. All cars have an insurance classification and there are 50 groups. Generally, the lower the number, the lower the premium and vice versa.

Those in low groups are newer affordable models with less powerful engines and cheaper to repair if there’s an accident, along with having built-in security. Typical examples include VW’s Polo, Hyundai’s i10 and the SEAT Ibiza.

You can buy cover online within minutes with GoShorty. For young drivers, it’s the flexible and affordable way to drive.

Other options

A young driver can appear on a parent’s policy as a ‘named’ driver. This will push up the cost of the main driver’s insurance, but will be cheaper than the young driver buying their own cover.

A higher excess can also push down the price of cover, although care should be taken to ensure the amount chosen is within reach should an accident occur. Telematics, known as ‘black box’ insurance, is another possibility. This technology allows the insurer to monitor the driving style and car use. Clearly, some may find this somewhat intrusive, but the purpose is to reward safe driving with lower premiums.

There’s no getting away from the fact car insurance for young drivers is expensive. However, the price can be brought within reach and mean getting on the road safely. For an 18 year old, temporary car insurance represents a cheap and easy option.

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Make sure your car is ready for winter

09:36 Leave a Comment

Is your car winter ready? Preparing your car for the cold weather can help protect you against accidents or breakdowns.

This article will look at the critical checks, preparation, and supplies to prepare your car for winter driving.

Car Checks

As the weather worsens, checking your car is ready for the winter before it is too late is advisable.

Tyres

Checking your tyre tread depth to ensure they aren’t worn will give you better traction in slippy conditions. Your tread must be a minimum of 1.6mm by law in the UK. If you are even close to this coming into winter, you might want to consider replacements.

Battery

Checking car batteries should always be a part of preparing for colder weather. A flat battery is bad at any time, but it is even worse during the winter.

You will be able to check the health of your car battery using a home battery tester or by getting a professional to help.

Antifreeze

Checking antifreeze levels in your engine’s cooling system will help you to avoid your system freezing in the dead of winter.

To check your engine coolant level, ensure you have a cold engine before taking off the radiator cap. Start the engine and allow the engine to reach operating temperature. Insert the probe of a digital multimeter that has been set to 20 DC volts or less.

Rev to 2,000 rpm before placing the probe onto the negative battery terminal. Look for a reading of .4 volts or below. Anything over this shows that coolant is needed.

Screen wash

Screen wash levels should be regularly checked as wet weather, salt, and dirt on the roads can make visibility challenging if you cannot efficiently clean your windscreen. Checking that your washer fluid is topped up regularly is advisable.

Lights

The winter months in the UK are naturally quite dark. Ensuring your lights work will allow other road users to see you in dim light.

Insurance

You must have the correct insurance cover anytime you want to drive. Because the winter weather can cause a lot of accidents, getting more protection could help.

If you find your insurance policy is due to run out, temporary car insurance that offers a higher level of protection than you usually get can be a great solution.

GoShorty offers temporary car insurance and temporary learner driver insurance, so you won’t have to pay for an entire year’s policy. You can select your cover before deciding whether you want to continue with the same level of protection for the rest of the year.

Car Prep

After checking your car, you will be able to protect certain parts from the bad weather in the UK by performing some essential car maintenance.

Clean and protect the car battery terminals

If you have checked your car battery and it is in good health for the coming winter, cleaning the terminals and using a protectant spray will help them make it through the winter without corrosion.

Lubricate windows

Protecting your window tracks from drag caused by freezing water can help you avoid damaging them. Spraying the window tracks with a lubricant should minimise this risk.

Lubricate stripping, door locks, hinges and latches

Cleaning and lubricating the weather stripping between car doors can minimise the risk of your car doors freezing shut.

Lubricating door locks will also help minimise their freezing or corroding.

Lubricating your hood latch and door hinges are also recommended to ensure you don’t suffer from any corrosion during winter. Metal parts are particularly at risk because of the road salt and water at this time.

Fit winter tyres

Switching from summer tyres to winter tyres can be expensive and might not be necessary for most UK. They offer better grip and handling but work best in conditions below 7°C.

This can be a good option for those that use their car a lot during the winter.

Fit winter wiper blades

Winter blades are designed, so they don’t get packed with snow. A packed wiper blade will leave streaks across the windshield, reducing visibility.

Make A Winter Car Survival Kit

Now that your vehicle is winter-ready, you should consider packing and keeping an emergency kit in your car for winter. A well-stocked vehicle will be able to help you in any situation.

LED torch

Keeping a small LED torch in your car during the winter is always helpful. Most phones will have a torch, but having a separate light source can be invaluable if you are using your phone or trying to preserve the battery.

Mobile phone charger

If you are involved in an accident or break down, your phone will be a vital lifeline. Having a phone charger and even a portable battery pack will help should you run out of battery.

Pen and paper

A pen and paper are always handy to have in your car. This can be useful for taking down information on the phone or other drivers’ information if you are involved in an accident.

Tool kit

A basic tool kit should include duct tape, an adjustable wrench, pliers, and screwdrivers. You might not be able to fix all car problems, but having these tools can help resolve minor issues.

Grit or cat litter

If the temperature drops when you are out, it is possible that your vehicle can get stuck on ice or snow. Carrying grit or cat litter will allow the tyres to gain traction and get you moving again.

Jumper cables

Even if you have checked your battery before winter, mistakes like leaving the lights on can drain it. Keeping jumper cables in your can help you deal with a flat battery should it occur.

Shovel

Having a foldable shovel in your car won’t take up much space but can be helpful if there is heavy snowfall and you need to dig your car out.

First aid kit

A first aid kit should be kept in all cars to help deal with minor scrapes or cuts in an accident.

Winter clothing

Making sure you have warm clothes in your car during winter is advisable if you break down. Every winter survival kit should include a hat, gloves, and jacket.

Waterproof clothing or an umbrella can help if you wait outside the car in freezing rain.

Hi-visibility clothing, such as a bib, vest, or armband, should be included to make you more visible to other road users.

Blanket

If you break down in the winter and have to wait for breakdown assistance, having a warm blanket in your car will help keep you warm.

Warning triangle

Carrying warning triangles in case of an accident will allow you to alert other road users a safe distance away. This is especially important in winter when visibility is low and stopping distances are increased by wet or icy roads.

Scraper and de-icer

Being able to clear your windscreen and windows is important in the winter as you need to ensure you have maximum visibility. De-icer and a scraper will make this job a lot easier.

Food and drink

Having water and food in your car is essential if you get snowed in or break down. Bottled water and high-energy cereal bars should last through the winter.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your car for the winter will improve road safety and ensure you are ready for the worst-case scenario. Safely storing a winter emergency kit in your boot won’t take up much space but could be important.

Can I Insure a Car for a Week?

29 November 2021 13:57 Leave a Comment

Owning and maintaining a car can be an expensive process. You have all the fuel and maintenance costs to pay for, let alone the insurance costs. However, do you really need to insure a car all year round if you only use it occasionally? What if you are able to borrow a car for the times you need? Is there any point to being a named driver all year around, or is there an easier way to be insured for a week or so at a time?

What does one week car insurance cover?

One week of temporary car insurance covers you for everything that a year long car insurance policy would. This means that you receive fully comprehensive cover, for the time that you need and not unnecessarily longer.

You can insure a car that does not belong to you with temporary insurance. This means that you can be insured on a car without being a named driver. As a result, you cannot affect the No Claims Discount of the car’s owner – even if you have an accident.

Why would I get a week of car insurance?

There are lots of reasons to only get one week of car insurance. You might need to insure a car for a week if you are:

Borrowing a car or van
Occasional driving
Sharing the driving on a long trip
Using a courtesy car
Using the car in an emergency
Moving to a new house or office
Driving back from university or college
Collecting or delivering a vehicle
Test driving a new car

What do I need to get one week car insurance?

To get a week of car insurance, you need to provide some information to us. Firstly, we need some information on the vehicle that you want to drive. This usually means details about the car’s registration number, make and model. Then we need to know how long you want to insure. We don’t only do one week car insurance, we offer cover for between 1hr and 28 days. Next, we’ll need some details on you. This might be personal information, like your name, date of birth, address and the like. It might also be some info on your driving history – for example, your license details.

How much does it cost to insure a car for a week?

The price of insuring any car depends upon a number of factors. We need some information before we can offer you a price. This includes:

Your age
Location
Driving history
Your driving licence type
How long you’ve been driving for
The make and model of your car
How old your car is
The value of your car

Insurance from GoShorty

Short term car insurance from GoShorty is perfect for any of the reasons listed above. If you only need to insure a car short term, then there is no point in paying for a full year of insurance. Get cover from GoShorty with a temporary insurance quote and save.

Tag Archive: temporary car insurance

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What’s the solution?

Short-term cover – it’s flexible and convenient

Wide acceptance criteria

Is temporary car insurance right for an 18 year old?

Think short-term insurance

Pick a suitable car

Other options

Car Checks

Tyres

Battery

Antifreeze

Screen wash

Lights

Insurance

Car Prep

Clean and protect the car battery terminals

Lubricate windows

Lubricate stripping, door locks, hinges and latches

Fit winter tyres

Fit winter wiper blades

Make A Winter Car Survival Kit

LED torch

Mobile phone charger

**What is a Courtesy Car?**

**What Insurance Do You Need to be Covered on a Courtesy Car?**

**How Can Students Get Temporary Car Insurance?**

**What is Third Party Insurance and What Does it Cover?**

**What is the Difference Between Comprehensive and Third Party Insurance?**

**Can You Tax a Car Without Insurance?**