Temporary car insurance Ireland: What are my options?

While standalone temporary car insurance isn’t typically available in Ireland, this guide outlines alternative options for short-term cover.

What's covered:

• Can you get temporary car insurance in Ireland?

• How to get short-term car insurance in Ireland

• Who can get temporary cover?

• Temporary vs monthly car insurance

Can you get temporary car insurance in Ireland?

No, you generally cannot get temporary car insurance in Ireland as a standalone product, such as one-day, weekly or pay-as-you-go cover. Unlike the UK, where temporary car insurance is widely available, most insurers in Ireland only offer annual policies.

However, if you need short-term cover, there may be alternative options available. This typically involves amending an existing annual car insurance policy or using benefits already included in that policy.

How to get short-term car insurance in Ireland

While you can't buy dedicated temporary or short-term car insurance in Ireland, there are still several ways to get covered for a short period:

1. Adding a named driver

You can be added as a named driver someone else’s car insurance policy, such as a family member or friend's, allowing you to legally drive their vehicle. Insurers typically allow the policyholder to add a named driver for a short-term duration (such up to 30 days), or for the remainder of the annual policy term.

In most cases, you’ll have the same level of cover as the main driver, including third party, fire and theft, and accidental damage under a comprehensive policy.

Note: You can only drive the insured vehicle, and the policyholder must remain the main driver. Insurers will also assess your age, experience, and driving history before approving cover.

This option is useful if you:

• Want to borrow a family member’s or partner’s car

• Are a learner driver practising in a parent’s car

2. Temporary substitution (switching vehicles)

Temporary substitution lets you transfer your existing car insurance to another car (for example, a courtesy car or borrowed vehicle) for a short period, usually when your main vehicle is off the road.

Also read: Can I change my car insurance to a van in Ireland? Your 2026 guide

During this time, only one car is insured at once; your own car's cover will pause, meaning neither you nor any named drivers can drive it. The temporary vehicle must also not belong to you or be registered in your name.

There are also strict time limits: most insurers allow a single substitution to last between 14 and 37 days.

This option is useful if you're:

• Using a courtesy car provided by a garage while yours is being repaired

• Need to borrow another vehicle while yours is off the road or awaiting its NCT

• Switching to a larger borrowed vehicle like a van to move house

3. Driving other cars cover

Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover allows you to drive someone else’s car using your own insurance, but it only provides third party cover. This means you’re covered for damage or injury to others, but not covered for damage, fire, theft, or attempted theft of the car you’re driving.

DOC cover is usually limited to drivers aged 25 or over with a full licence, and is subject to strict conditions.

Also read: Am I insured to drive other cars? Your 2026 guide

It is not included as standard, so you must have the DOC extension on your policy. A common misunderstanding is that comprehensive insurance automatically gives full cover to drive other cars. In reality, DOC is limited and designed for infrequent use.

This option is useful if you:

• Need to drive another car in an emergency

• Need to borrow a friend or family member's car for a few hours to run an essential errand while yours is broken down

4. Open drive policies

Open drive insurance is an additional feature (often only available with comprehensive policies) that allows any eligible driver to use your car without being named on the policy. The policy sets criteria (usually minimum age of 25 years and a full licence), and anyone who meets those conditions can legally drive the car with the same level of cover as the main driver.

Note: Open Drive strictly covers other people driving your car. It does not grant you permission to drive other people’s vehicles (like DOC cover). Premiums are also typically higher due to the broader risk.

This option is useful if you:

• Need flexibility to let others drive without updating the policy each time

• Run a business where different employees may drive the vehicle

Who can get temporary cover?

Eligibility for any of these types of short-term car insurance depends on meeting specific requirements:

Temporary vs monthly car insurance

Monthly car insurance in Ireland is often confused with temporary cover, but they are actually completely different.

Monthly car insurance is not temporary car insurance. It’s simply an annual policy paid in instalments, meaning you’re still tied into a full annual contract even though you pay monthly. Cancelling early can involve fees or penalties.

This is a marketing article from Howden Insurance. The information in this guide is accurate at time of publication. This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice.