What short-term motor insurance actually is, when to use it, how long it can run, which documents you need and what makes the price move. Written from the real policy conditions — 1 to 90 days, instant certificate by e-mail.
See also: 17 questions answered · all guides · check my eligibility.
Temporary car insurance — also called short-term or provisional insurance — is a full motor policy with a start date and an end date fixed in advance. It provides the compulsory cover required to drive legally in France: motor third-party liability, together with legal defence and recourse. Roadside assistance is included for cars and vans only.
Two things make it different from an annual policy. It does not renew automatically: on the end date and time shown on your particular conditions, the cover simply stops. And it is issued for a defined need rather than for a year of ordinary use.
It is not a cheaper version of an annual contract. Per day it costs more. What it buys you is speed and the absence of any commitment.
Drive legally in France while you complete the registration of a car bought abroad — COC, tax clearance, carte grise.
Insure a second-hand vehicle on the day you buy it, or cover the drive home before arranging annual cover.
Cover a vehicle you are trying out before you commit to it.
Drive in France on an EU or non-EU licence, with the supporting documents required.
Produce valid proof of insurance to recover an immobilised vehicle.
Cover the journey across France up to the port or the border, before insuring locally on arrival.
A vehicle lent free of charge between private individuals can be insured. A rental — including LOA, LLD and leasing — cannot.
Cover an occasional or seasonal vehicle for the weeks you actually use it.
Cover runs from 1 to 90 days. You choose the start date and time; the certificate is issued immediately and the cover begins at the moment stated, which can be in the future.
One piece of advice that matters more than it sounds: take the real end date, not an optimistic one. A convoy delayed by a day, an appointment pushed back, a ferry missed — and you are driving uninsured. Extension is possible, up to a total of 90 days, but it has to be arranged before the cover lapses.
If you return the vehicle before the planned date, nothing needs to be done: the cover ends on its own. There is no cancellation to send and no contract that rolls on.
These are the documents generally requested. The exact list depends on your situation, and an adviser checks your file before validation.
For an imported vehicle, registration may additionally require the purchase invoice or transfer certificate, the tax clearance, the certificate of conformity (COC) and, where relevant, provisional WW plates.
You always see the exact price before paying, with no commitment. There is no file fee added after the quotation.
The honest test is how long you will actually keep the vehicle. Beyond roughly two to three months of continuous use, an annual policy is almost always cheaper — and 90 days is in any case the ceiling here.
Below that, or when you simply cannot wait, temporary insurance wins on two points an annual contract cannot match: the certificate arrives within minutes, evenings and weekends included, and nothing continues after the end date.
Five cases make it impossible: more than 2 at-fault material claims or 1 bodily-injury claim in the last 36 months; a cancellation following a claim within 5 years; a criminal conviction for a road-traffic offence, drink-driving or drugs; being surcharged and looking for an insurer, or waiting on the BCT; and a rental vehicle. Check your eligibility in one minute →
Within minutes. The certificate is emailed as soon as payment is validated, 24/7 including evenings, weekends and public holidays. It is valid proof if you are stopped.
The cover applies in France. Abroad, it applies only to the countries listed and not crossed out on the green card issued when you subscribe. Check your green card before you leave.
Nine categories: car, van, lorry, road tractor unit, motorhome, bus, trailer, semi-trailer and light quadricycle. Motorbikes, scooters, three-wheelers and quads are not covered.
Yes — with a valid provisional registration certificate, an auction invoice less than 2 months old, a police immobilisation form less than 2 months old, or a transfer-of-ownership certificate with the registration document stub.
Yes, up to a total of 90 days. Arrange it before the current cover expires.
Send your licence and registration — an adviser issues your instant proof of insurance. Online 24/7.
An adviser prepares your instant proof of insurance. Online 24/7.