7 June 2017

If you have overseas visitors coming to stay why not lend them your car?

Many foreign licence holders can use short term insurance to borrow a friend's car

With summer approaching, many people will be welcoming guests from all across the world to their homes. A chance to catch up with old friends or enjoy some precious time with family members - but while they are with you, they may also want to be able to get around or you may want to plan days out together. Offering them the use of your own car can seem like the perfect solution but finding insurance can be trickier than you imagined. Your guest is unlikely to be automatically insured on your car under your own annual policy. This is where a short term car insurance policy can save the day.

Most insurance companies will not allow foreign licence holders to be added to policies - even if your visitor previously held a UK licence, but, if your guest holds a licence from one of these listed countries or areas, they may be able to find a short term car insurance policy to suit their needs.

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Canada
• EU
• EEA
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Mauritius

It is worth running as many quotes as you can as the prices do vary. Also each of the companies have slightly different criteria - vehicle value, age limits and occupations for example - so if you don't have success with one company, try another. Bear in mind when filling out the forms that Tempcover and Dayinsure require the policyholder's home address whereas Insuredaily use the address at which the policyholder will be staying.

A big advantage to a separate short term car insurance policy for your visitor is that, if they should need to make a claim, it will not affect your no claims bonus. It is a completely separate comprehensive policy and therefore does not impact your own insurance.

Some visitors may be living with you for longer periods and decide to buy a vehicle to use for the duration of their stay. Short term insurance policies can cover this too. Although the policies last for up to 28 days, they can be taken out back to back and therefore provide cover for longer periods (be aware that there is no guarantee that a second policy will be issued - particularly if there are any claims made during the time of the first policy). Dayinsure offer an optional European cover should your guests wish to visit EU countries.

Short term car insurance can also come in handy if you are planning a long drive with a group. A friend can take out a policy on your car, to share the time at the wheel, making the journey far more enjoyable and relaxing. Perhaps you need to use someone else's larger vehicle because you a taking a group out for the day? Keep friendships intact and avoid making a dent on their no claims bonus by taking out your own short term car insurance policy.

Image courtesy of: Imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net