Cover for a Car You're Selling Next Week
Your car's listed. The inquiries are coming in. A few people want to "come have a look"; which usually means poking around and asking to take it for a spin. You've got the sale lined up for next week, but now you're stuck in a bit of a grey area: do you may need insurance? What kind? And for how long?
Whether you're selling to a mate, offloading it privately, or handing it to a dealer, you still need cover until the car is officially out of your name. One wrong move, an uninsured test drive or a last-minute bump, and things could unravel fast.
Do You Still Need Insurance on a Car You're Selling?
Absolutely. Until the car is sold, paid for, and the V5C is updated, you're still legally responsible. That means you must have valid insurance if the car is being driven; by you or anyone else.
Even if you've handed the keys to a buyer, if the paperwork hasn't been sorted and something happens, you could still be liable. So yes - keep the policy active until the car officially changes hands.
What Are Your Options for Short-Term Cover?
If your existing annual policy is nearly up or you've cancelled it early, you don't necessarily need another full policy. That's where short-term insurance comes in. It's made for exactly this kind of situation.
- Temporary car insurance - Covers the car for 1 to 28 days. Ideal if you're only holding onto it for another week or two.
- Hourly or daily cover - Perfect for test drives or letting a buyer take it for a spin before committing.
- Named driver options - Some short-term insurers let you temporarily insure someone else to drive the car legally. Handy for viewings.
Just imagine: a potential buyer wants to test drive your car. You assume they're covered, only to find out after a scrape with a bollard that they weren't. The cost - and the headache - land right back on you. Temporary cover for them? Worth every penny.
Can the Buyer Use Their Own Insurance?
Possibly, but it depends. Some drivers have comprehensive policies that let them drive other cars - but only with third-party cover, and only if the car is already insured by someone else. It doesn't apply to everyone, and it definitely shouldn't be assumed.
Always check their documents. If in doubt, ask them to arrange a short-term policy or organise cover through a reputable temporary insurance provider before they even turn the key.
Do You Need Insurance If You're Not Driving It?
If the car's not being driven, and you've declared it off-road with a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), then no, you don't need insurance. But most people selling privately still want the option to drive it until the sale is final. That means keeping the car taxed, insured, and roadworthy; even for one last week.
And yes, even a stationary car can get into trouble. Theft, vandalism, storm damage - it happens. That's another reason not to leave it uninsured whilst you're waiting for collection day.
Things to Double-Check Before You Sell
- Policy cancellation terms - Some insurers charge admin fees if you cancel mid-policy. Compare those against the cost of short-term cover.
- No-claims bonus protection - Make sure it's preserved if you're moving straight to another policy after the sale.
- Buyer ID and insurance - Don't be afraid to ask for proof before letting someone test drive the vehicle.
One seller let a buyer test drive his car around the block. All seemed fine - until they disappeared. The car wasn't recovered. Turned out the buyer had no licence, no insurance, and no intention of buying anything. Don't assume the friendly handshake is enough.
How to Stay Covered Without Overpaying
If you're only holding onto the car for a few more days, a short-term policy could save you a fair bit of money. You're only paying for what you might need - and not locking into a long-term contract you'll never use.
On the other hand, if your annual policy is nearly done and you've got another car lined up, check if you can switch the cover to your new vehicle once the sale goes through. Some insurers allow this mid-policy, others don't. Worth checking before you hit "cancel".
Ready to Keep Things Simple?
Selling a car doesn't mean you can let insurance slide - not even for a few days. A little cover now could save you a lot of cost and grief if something goes sideways before the paperwork is finalised.
Click here to compare short-term car insurance quotes now; get instant cover for your final days of ownership and make sure your car's protected right up to the handover.