Cuvva

Category: Insurtech · Reviewed by Amy Price, Account Executive · Last reviewed 2026-06-05

Cuvva

Cuvva is a UK insurtech intermediary founded in 2015 by Freddy Macnamara, offering smartphone-app-based short-duration temporary motor insurance from one hour upwards. The principal use cases are borrowed-car cover, learner-driver supervision, occasional second-driver cover, and car-sharing.

Category: Insurtech Also known as: Cuvva Limited Established: 2015 (corporate); first product launched 2016 Related concepts: Insurtech, Telematics insurance, By Miles

Definition

Cuvva’s flagship product is hourly motor insurance — a comprehensive cover policy issued for as little as one hour up to several days. The customer downloads the app, completes a streamlined verification process (photographs of driving licence, selfie, vehicle), and binds cover instantly through the app. The product is principally targeted at temporary use cases that traditional annual motor insurance does not serve well.

Legal / Regulatory basis

Cuvva Limited is incorporated in England and Wales and is FCA-authorised as an insurance intermediary. The temporary insurance product is underwritten through arrangements with UK-authorised insurers — current underwriting partners should be verified through the FCA Register (https://register.fca.org.uk) and Cuvva’s policy documentation. The product complies with the UK motor compulsory insurance regime (Road Traffic Act 1988 sections 143-145).

How it works in practice

A typical Cuvva use case: an individual borrowing a relative’s car for a weekend purchase journey. The borrower downloads the app, verifies identity through driving licence and selfie, identifies the vehicle by registration (which is automatically queried against DVLA data), selects the duration (e.g., 48 hours), and pays approximately £15-£40 depending on risk profile. The cover is comprehensive and complies with the compulsory motor third-party liability regime. The owner of the vehicle is not affected on their own policy (subject to the terms of that policy).

Common variations

Cuvva has launched and offered learner-driver cover (typically as a top-up to learner-policy arrangements), policies for car-sharing arrangements, and longer-duration products (monthly, annual) alongside the core hourly product.

Example

A 27-year-old borrowing a parent’s car for a 4-hour drive: Cuvva quote of £18.50 (illustrative) for comprehensive cover for 4 hours, including the compulsory motor third-party liability cover, photo of vehicle registration document, and instant policy issue.

See also

References

  1. Companies House (England and Wales) — Cuvva Limited record — https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
  2. FCA Register — https://register.fca.org.uk
  3. Cuvva corporate site — https://www.cuvva.com
  4. Road Traffic Act 1988 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52

This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-05. Next review: 2026-12-05.

Apex Insurance Brokers Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 724952. Registered in England and Wales, Companies House 07014570. This entry provides general information about UK insurance concepts and is not regulated advice. Consult your insurance broker on your specific position.

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