Temporary Van Insurance

Prices start from £24 for 1 hour and £27 for 1 day. Prices depend on your driver profile, van details, and duration of cover. Get a quote in under 2 minutes. *

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*By clicking 'Get a quote', you will be directed to GoShorty, a specialist temporary vehicle insurance platform that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The policy you purchase will be a GoShorty product. Please read the policy summary and key facts document carefully before buying. Performance Direct introduces customers to GoShorty for temporary vehicle insurance products and does not underwrite these policies directly.

Instant short term van cover, arranged by Performance Direct, part of the Grove and Dean Group, Chartered Insurance Brokers. More than 17,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews. Cover available for UK residents from 1 hour to 28 days. No impact on your No Claims Discount.

With years of experience in specialist vehicle cover, Performance Direct has partnered with GoShorty, one of the UK’s leading names in short-term vehicle insurance. Together, we help drivers across the country secure reliable temporary van cover, from just 1 hour up to 28 days.

Short-term van insurance is ideal when you need to borrow a van to move house, transport large items, test drive or deliver a vehicle, or even use a van for business or courier work. Whether it’s one-day van insurance or cover for several weeks, GoShorty policies offer the flexibility to suit your schedule.

If you need to use a van for Carriage of Goods for Hire and Reward, GoShorty’s short-term insurance is designed to meet those needs, perfect for delivery drivers or couriers who may not be covered under an existing annual policy.

Whether you need short-term van or car insurance for moving, adding a driver, or temporary business use, Performance Direct’s partnership with GoShorty makes it quick and straightforward. It’s an ideal choice for drivers who value flexibility and need trusted insurance without the commitment of a year-long policy.

What Is Temporary Van Insurance?

Temporary van insurance, also known as short term van insurance, is a standalone policy that covers you to drive a van for a specific period of time. Instead of committing to a 12-month annual policy, you pay only for the days or hours you actually need.

It is legally compliant cover, providing the same protection as an annual policy, but arranged for a defined period from as little as one hour up to 28 days. The policy is entirely separate from any existing car or van insurance you hold, which means that if you need to make a claim, your own No Claims Discount is not affected.

Through our specialist arrangement with GoShorty, Performance Direct customers can access temporary van cover instantly, online, at any time of day.

GoShorty's panel of specialist UK insurers means you can compare quotes and buy a policy in under two minutes, with proof of cover delivered to your inbox straight away.

Performance Direct is part of the Grove and Dean Group, Chartered Insurance Brokers, with more than 50 years of Group experience, more than 17,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews, and authorisation and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), registration number 307002.

We provide insurance services to UK residents only.

We provide insurance services to UK residents only.

Rated as excellent on Trustpilot with over 15,000+ reviews

Temporary Van Insurance with Instant Cover

Comprehensive cover

From 1 hour to 28 days flexible cover

Drivers aged 21 to 75

Protect the van owner’s No Claims Discount

Maximum van value: £65,000

Prices start from £23.04

* If you’re a delivery driver, you might need specific hire and reward insurance if you’re carrying parcels for payment.

Why Thousands of UK Drivers Trust Performance Direct

Choosing where to arrange your temporary van insurance matters. Here is what sets Performance Direct apart from comparison sites and standalone temporary insurance providers.

Chartered Insurance Broker Status

Only around 5 per cent of UK insurance broking firms hold Chartered Insurance Broker status, awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute. It is the highest professional standard in our industry. When you arrange insurance through Performance Direct, you benefit from that expertise, professional accountability, and the commitment to act in your best interests at every stage.

More Than 50 Years of Group Heritage

Performance Direct was established in 1995 and is part of the Grove and Dean Group, which has been arranging specialist insurance for UK customers since 1974. That depth of experience, built across decades and thousands of client relationships, informs everything we do. We understand insurance in a way that price comparison websites simply cannot replicate.

More Than 17,000 Five-Star Trustpilot Reviews

Our customers rate us Excellent on Trustpilot. With more than 17,000 verified reviews, our reputation is built on real experiences from real clients across the UK. You can read our reviews at uk.trustpilot.com/review/performancedirect.co.uk.

FCA Authorised and BIBA Member

We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), registration number 307002. We have been a proud member of the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) since 2007, the UK's leading organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers and their customers. Both accreditations mean you are protected by the full framework of UK financial services regulation when you deal with us.

Available Around the Clock

Our online quote system and your personal Insurance Account are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you need cover at midnight on a Sunday or first thing on a bank holiday, you can get a quote, buy a policy, and access your documents without waiting for office hours.

Temporary Van Insurance FAQs

What is temporary van insurance?

Temporary van insurance provides short term commercial vehicle cover for a defined period rather than a full annual policy. It is typically arranged for durations ranging from one day to several weeks, depending on insurer criteria. This type of cover is intended for temporary business or personal van use where ongoing annual insurance is not required.

How long can I insure a van on a temporary basis?

Short term van insurance policies normally run from one day up to a maximum period set by the insurer. The available duration depends on driver eligibility, vehicle type and declared usage. Extensions may require reassessment. Temporary cover is structured for specific short term needs rather than continuous commercial operation.

What level of cover is included with temporary van insurance?

Temporary van insurance is often arranged on a comprehensive basis, subject to eligibility and insurer acceptance. This generally includes accidental damage, fire, theft and third party liability during the insured period. Optional features are less common than on annual commercial policies. The scope of cover depends on the insurer selected.

Can temporary van insurance be used for business activities?

Certain types of business use may be permitted if declared accurately at quotation stage. This can include travelling between job sites or carrying tools. Higher risk activities such as courier work, food delivery or hire and reward are not always eligible under short term products. Usage classification affects availability and pricing.

Who can apply for temporary van insurance?

Eligibility depends on age, driving experience, licence status and the van’s specification. Insurers may apply minimum age limits and require a full UK driving licence held for a specified period. Vehicle value, weight and modification status also form part of underwriting assessment.

Can I insure a van I do not own temporarily?

Temporary van insurance can often be arranged in your own name to drive a van owned by someone else, provided you have permission. The cover applies only for the agreed duration and does not usually replace the owner’s annual policy. Acceptance depends on driver and vehicle eligibility.

Does temporary van insurance cover tools and equipment?

Short term van policies generally insure the vehicle itself rather than tools or goods carried inside. Cover for tools in transit is not automatically included and may not be available under temporary arrangements. Where tool cover is required, separate insurance may need to be considered.

Will a claim on temporary van insurance affect future policies?

Temporary van insurance operates independently from annual commercial vehicle policies. However, any claim made during the short term cover must still be declared when arranging future insurance. Claims history forms part of ongoing risk assessment by insurers.

Are there restrictions on vans insured temporarily?

Insurers may impose limits on vehicle value, weight, age or modification status for short term cover. Heavily modified, high value or specialist commercial vehicles are not always eligible. Acceptance depends on underwriting criteria at the time of application.

When might temporary van insurance through Performance Direct be appropriate?

Temporary van insurance through Performance Direct may be appropriate where short duration commercial vehicle use is required. This can include moving equipment, covering a gap between annual policies or completing a defined business task. Arrangements are assessed based on driver eligibility, vehicle details and declared usage, subject to insurer criteria.

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When Do You Need Temporary Van Insurance?

Short term van insurance is the practical, cost-effective choice across a wide range of everyday situations. You should consider temporary cover whenever you need to use a van for a defined period without wanting to commit to or pay for a full annual policy.

Moving House

Moving house is the most common reason people arrange temporary van insurance in the UK. Whether you are hiring a self-drive removal van or borrowing one from a friend or family member, temporary cover gives you fully comprehensive protection for the duration of your move. You pay only for the time you need, and there is no impact on your No Claims Discount if something goes wrong.

Buying a Van from a Private Seller

When you buy a van privately and need to drive it home before your annual insurance is in place, you need cover that starts immediately. Temporary van insurance can be arranged in minutes, allowing you to collect your new van with confidence and full legal cover. Once you are home, you can arrange your long-term policy without rushing into the wrong decision.

Covering a Gap Between Annual Policies

If your annual van insurance has come to an end, you are switching providers and there is a short gap, or you are waiting for a new policy to start, temporary van insurance bridges that period. Every vehicle used on a UK public road must be insured at all times. Short term cover keeps you on the right side of the law without overpaying for a second annual policy.

Seasonal or Short Contract Work

Tradespeople, seasonal workers, and small business owners who only need a van for a defined project or contract period can avoid the cost of a full annual policy by arranging temporary cover for the exact duration they need. Cover can be arranged for as little as one hour or extended up to 28 days.

Borrowing a Friend's or Family Member's Van

You can arrange temporary van insurance in your own name to drive a van that belongs to someone else, provided you have their permission. This means the van owner's own annual policy and their No Claims Discount are completely protected. There is no need to be added as a named driver on their policy, which can be costly and administratively inconvenient.

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