How to Buy Temporary Car Insurance
Most reputable car insurance companies won’t sell policies for less than six months. But it’s possible to find short-term, temporary coverage.
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Temporary car insurance provides coverage for a short time — anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks or months. You may benefit from purchasing a temporary auto policy if you’re renting a car or adding a student driver to your insurance.
Most insurers don’t offer policies for less than six months, but newer companies like Seven and Hugo offer pay-as-you-go policies for infrequent drivers. Be sure to understand your options when it comes to short-term car insurance. Comparing quotes is the best way to find a policy that meets your needs.
Temporary car insurance options
If you need temporary car insurance, it's possible to buy a six-month policy and cancel it when you no longer need it. But some insurers charge fees for early cancelation.
When it comes to truly temporary car insurance, you have four main options. The best one for you depends on your situation and budget. For example, pay-as-you-go insurance suits drivers who are on the road infrequently, while rental car insurance covers drivers who rent vehicles often.
Consider how each policy works to make the best choice for your needs.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for infrequent drivers
Pay-as-you-go insurance is a type of car insurance that bases rates on how many miles you drive in a month. With this type of policy, you pay a low daily or monthly base rate and an additional rate for each mile you drive.
Many of these programs use telematics to monitor how many miles you drive. Some insurers also monitor your driving behaviors and offer you a bigger discount for following safe driving habits.
Low-mileage drivers often see significant savings with pay-as-you-go car insurance. But it generally only makes sense if you drive less than 10,000 miles per year and are a safe driver.1
Hugo is a good choice for pay-as-you-go insurance thanks to the company’s flexible payment options. You can buy coverage for a few days, weeks, or months at a time and only pay when you drive. But Hugo only offers state-minimum liability coverage in 13 states, so if you need full coverage, higher liability limits, or live outside its coverage area, you won’t be able to use Hugo.
Pay-as-you-go insurance vs. standard insurance
Most insurance companies that offer pay-as-you-go insurance charge a daily or monthly rate along with a per-mile rate. Here are some top insurers that offer pay-as-you-go insurance.
Non-owner car insurance: Best for driving a vehicle you don’t own
A non-owner policy provides coverage when you’re driving a vehicle you don’t own. For example, non-owner car insurance is often a good choice when borrowing a friend or family member’s vehicle for a period of time.
This type of policy provides liability coverage for any injuries or property damage resulting from an accident you cause. You can also add medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
These policies usually have six-month or one-year terms, but you can cancel at any time. Non-owner insurance tends to be less expensive than standard auto insurance. If you’re interested in exploring this option, several major insurers offer non-owner policies, including GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, and Liberty Mutual.
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for low-mileage drivers
With pay-per-mile car insurance, your monthly payment is based on how many miles you drive. This policy can be a good option for low-mileage drivers looking to save money on car insurance. For example, if you work from home and spend very little time driving, a pay-per-mile policy could cut down on your auto insurance costs.
Your insurer tracks the number of miles you drive using either a telematics device in your vehicle or a smartphone app. The device reports collected data to your insurance company, along with information about your driving habits.
Rental car insurance: Best for frequent travelers
If you rent a car frequently, you can benefit from rental car insurance — especially if you don’t have your own auto insurance policy. You can sometimes use rental car insurance for international rentals. You can often purchase rental car insurance when booking your rental vehicle online or at the rental counter when picking up the car.
Can you get car insurance for one day?
No, you can’t typically get insurance for one day unless you’re buying rental insurance for a one-day rental. Most insurers offer policies ranging from six months to one year, but Hugo does offer coverage starting at three days.
When you might need temporary car insurance
You may need temporary car insurance for a variety of reasons. For example, insurance comes in handy if you’re going to borrow a friend or family member’s car or are renting a vehicle.
Insurance coverages such as permissive use, rental, and non-owner policies are all good ways to get car insurance temporarily, depending on what you need it for.
You’re driving someone else’s car
You can often rely on your friend or family member’s insurance when you borrow their car, as long as you have permission to drive it. This is known as permissive coverage. It’s a good option if you plan to drive occasionally. But if you intend to use the car more frequently, consider having them add you to the policy or purchasing a non-owner policy.2
Someone else will drive your car for a short period
The concept of permissive coverage also applies when you lend someone your vehicle. For coverage, you must have a current auto insurance policy and grant permission to the driver. But if you’re unsure about your policy’s coverage or want an added layer of protection, consider asking the borrower to purchase their own temporary insurance.
You have a student driver on your policy
You can typically add dependents learning to drive, like your children, to your policy. While your premium might increase, adding a student driver to your current plan is typically cheaper than purchasing a separate policy.3
Ask your agent about discounts for good students, recent graduates, and students away at school.
You’re renting a car
Rental car insurance covers you when you rent a car and don’t have your own car insurance. You can purchase rental car insurance through the rental car company. Coverage requirements vary by state but usually include collision and liability coverage.
Car rental companies usually offer a collision damage waiver. But the waiver only covers damages to the rental car and excludes liability coverage. Some credit card companies offer the coverage for free — so if you plan to pay for the rental with a credit card, check your card’s benefits.4
You’re traveling internationally
Car insurance policies typically cover American citizens driving in Canada. But if you plan to drive to Mexico, you must purchase a separate policy.
You’ll also need a separate policy if you drive in any other country, even if the country’s laws don’t require it. Your domestic car insurance policy won’t cover you internationally, so without insurance, you could expose yourself to financial liability if you get into an accident. Check with your current insurer about adding international coverage.
Your car is going into storage
Cars in storage aren’t legally required to be insured — as long as you don’t put them on the road. But storage insurance helps protect against theft and vandalism. If you need short-term insurance for a stored vehicle like a classic car, consider comprehensive coverage. Check with your insurance company to see whether it lets you drop other parts of your coverage to save money on your premium.
Temporary car insurance FAQs
If you’re still not sure whether you need temporary car insurance, this additional information may help.
Is temporary car insurance legit?
Temporary car insurance advertised to last less than six months may not be legitimate, and you should proceed with caution when dealing with companies offering such policies. Most insurance companies sell policies that last at least six months. Hugo Insurance is one exception.
Can you get month-to-month car insurance?
Hugo is a legitimate company that sells short-term coverage. Most insurance companies don’t offer month-to-month car insurance. But it’s possible to get a six- or 12-month car insurance policy and cancel once you no longer need it. Some insurers charge a cancellation fee, but it’s usually minimal and less than what you’d pay if you kept the policy active.
Do you need insurance to drive someone else’s car?
Not necessarily. With permissive use, the owner permits you to drive their car and their insurance often covers you. But the car owner can also add you to their insurance policy for long-term coverage if you drive the car regularly and live at the same address. Or you can purchase a separate non-owner auto insurance policy.
Does GEICO offer temporary car insurance?
GEICO offers a non-owner liability policy, which can provide coverage if you’re using a rental car or borrowing a friend’s car. GEICO’s policies typically range from six months to one year.
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