Cover notes don’t exist any more. They only existed in the horse and buggy era when insurance policy documents needed to be posted to people and physically signed. The internet and ability to take out insurance online at any time on any day of the week made cover notes redundant and I’m not aware of any insurer which still offers them.Get a cover note from whoever gives you one and don't pay when due. You should be able to string it out for a month, or maybe someone will quote you better.