Temporary Car Insurance in Illinois (2025)
Hugo, Metromile, and Nationwide are a few of the best temporary car insurance companies in Illinois.
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Temporary car insurance is a short-term policy that lasts for a few days, weeks, or months — much less than standard policy lengths of six months or a year. You may need temporary auto insurance when you rent a vehicle or drive a car your standard insurance policy doesn’t cover.1
The average monthly cost of a standard auto insurance policy in Illinois is $152 for full coverage and $80 for liability, which is below the national average of $182 for full coverage and $103 for liability coverage. Most insurers don’t offer temporary car insurance, but Illinois drivers can consider other options.
Quick Facts
Hugo, Metromile, and Nationwide are the best options for temporary car insurance in Illinois.
Infrequent Illinois drivers can save money on auto insurance with pay-as-you-go and pay-per-mile policies.
A non-owner policy or rental car insurance provides coverage when you’re operating a vehicle you don’t own.
Best temporary car insurance in Illinois
If you’re shopping around for temporary coverage, you won’t have as many options to pick from, so it’s important to do your homework to find the lowest rates. Here are three of the best short-term car insurance companies in Illinois.
Hugo: Best for flexible payments
Metromile: Best for pay-per-mile insurance
Nationwide: Best for safe drivers
We selected the best temporary car insurance companies based on pricing, flexibility, the number of favorable reviews, and how easy each policy was to sign up for. Each of the companies listed is a good option for infrequent drivers who don’t want to commit to a long-term policy.
Cheapest short-term car insurance in Illinois
In Illinois, the average monthly insurance rate is $80 for liability insurance and $152 for full coverage. But your exact amount will vary depending on your age, vehicle type, location, and history of traffic violations.
Fortunately, infrequent drivers can cut costs on their insurance premiums by taking advantage of a temporary solution. The table below shows the average cost of car insurance for different insurers offering temporary insurance in Illinois.
Options for temporary car insurance
You have multiple options to choose from when it comes to temporary car insurance. Here’s what you should know about the different types of temporary insurance and what type of driver each coverage option works best for.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for infrequent drivers
Pay-as-you-go insurance — sometimes referred to as usage-based insurance — has grown in popularity in recent years as people spend less time driving due to remote work.
When you sign up, the company assigns you a low base rate and an additional charge for every mile you drive. Low-mileage drivers can save money with pay-as-you-go insurance, but poor driving habits could drive up your monthly rate.
Non-owner car insurance: Best for borrowing a vehicle
Non-owner car insurance provides coverage if you regularly operate a vehicle you don’t own. For example, you might benefit from this insurance if you’re a college student who plans to borrow a friend or family member’s car for an extended period of time.
Progressive, State Farm, and GEICO all offer non-owner car insurance policies. Since these policies only provide coverage in specific scenarios, they tend to be more affordable than standard auto insurance.
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for low-mileage drivers
The cost of pay-per-mile insurance depends on how many miles you drive, rather than your daily driving habits. It can be a great way to save money on auto insurance if you work from home or rely on public transportation and spend little time driving. Metromile, Nationwide, and Allstate all offer pay-per-mile car insurance.
This type of car insurance can lower your premiums significantly and provide more personalized coverage. But you’ll likely have to use a telematics app to track your mileage, and your rate will vary from month to month.
Rental car insurance: Best for frequent travelers
Rental car coverage is helpful for anyone who regularly travels for work. If you don’t already have car insurance, rental insurance will cover you when you need to use a rental car. It’s also a good idea if you plan to travel internationally since your auto insurance won’t cover you while you’re outside the U.S.
You can purchase this insurance through a rental company or your insurance company. Call your insurance agent with any questions.
Pros and cons of temporary car insurance
Pros
Flexibility of purchasing coverage for a few days, weeks, or months
No long-term commitments make it easy to cancel your policy
Works well for people in unique situations, like students who only borrow a car from family members on occasion or someone who’s visiting internationally
Cons
Limited available options, as most insurance companies don’t offer it
Will likely cost more in the long run, especially if you drive frequently
You’re at risk for lapsed coverage if you forget to renew your insurance, which could lead to fines or penalties
Temporary car insurance in Illinois FAQs
The following general information can help answer your questions about how temporary car insurance works and how to find the best policy for your needs.
Can you get temporary insurance in Illinois?
A standard auto insurance policy in Illinois lasts from six months to one year. If you need a policy that lasts less than six months, you can consider temporary insurance from a reputable company like Hugo.
Can you drive a car without insurance in Illinois if you just bought it?
No. Per Illinois law, all drivers must meet the minimum liability requirements before driving a car, even if they’ve just purchased it. If law enforcement catches you driving without insurance, you’ll receive a minimum $500 fine.5
What is the shortest term for car insurance?
The shortest term offered by most major car insurance companies is six months. But Hugo offers plans lasting as little as three days.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Illinois?
Auto-Owners is the cheapest car insurance company in Illinois, with an average monthly rate of $49 for liability coverage and $75 for full coverage.
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