Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey (2025)
GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive are the cheapest temporary car insurance companies in New Jersey.
Excellent
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Some New Jersey drivers may only need temporary car insurance in certain situations, such as for a quick weekend trip or a weeklong business trip.
A standard car insurance policy typically lasts six to 12 months. New Jersey drivers pay average rates of $165 per month for standard liability and $239 for full-coverage car insurance, which exceeds the national averages of $103 for liability and $182 for full coverage.
Here’s what you need to know about your temporary car insurance options in New Jersey.
Quick Facts
Popular pay-per-mile and usage-based options, like Hugo and Mile Auto, aren’t available in New Jersey.
One way to get temporary car insurance is by canceling a standard policy early, which most insurers allow. But you may have to pay a cancellation fee.
Some low-income drivers in New Jersey can qualify for the state’s Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) program, which costs $365 per year, or $1 per day.
Best temporary car insurance in New Jersey
Most New Jersey auto insurers don’t offer temporary car insurance with terms of less than six months, but you still have options. Many insurers will let you cancel your standard policy early without a fee.
Here are three of the best short-term car insurance coverage options in New Jersey.
GEICO: Best for overall value
State Farm: Best for non-owner insurance
Progressive: Best for discounts
We chose the best temporary car insurance companies above by comparing several New Jersey insurers’ IQ Scores, average rates, selection of insurance products, customer service record, J.D. Power scores, AM Best scores, and online customer reviews. For temporary insurance, we placed a special focus on short-term coverage options and cancellation fees.
Cheapest short-term car insurance in New Jersey
While New Jersey drivers pay above-average car insurance premiums, you can still find affordable car insurance. Rates start as low as $95 per month for liability-only insurance. Factors like your age, vehicle type, marital status, coverage level, ZIP code, driving record, and more affect your rates.2
The table below outlines the cheapest car insurance companies in New Jersey. The following insurers either offer a form of short-term insurance, including non-owner car insurance, or don’t have coverage cancellation fees.
Options for temporary car insurance
If you need car insurance only on a temporary basis, you have options. You can choose from pay-as-you-go car insurance, non-owner car insurance, pay-per-mile car insurance, and rental car insurance depending on your unique needs.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for safe drivers
Pay-as-you-go car insurance uses telematics to track your driving behavior and mileage. Your car insurance costs will be lower if you drive fewer miles and practice safe driving habits. With distracted driving on the rise, telematics has become a popular way for drivers to lower the chance of an accident or claim.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance usually has a base rate plus additional costs based on mileage. In some cases, your car insurance rates may rise if your mileage increases or if you don’t drive safely. Some drivers also might not want their insurer collecting their driving data. Telematics programs are voluntary and may be a good idea for low-mileage drivers.3
Non-owner car insurance: Best for borrowing a vehicle
Non-owner car insurance offers liability coverage whenever you drive a vehicle you don’t own. For instance, if you’re borrowing a friend’s car for a few days or renting a car, non-owner car insurance might fit your needs.
Non-owner car insurance has a six-month or 12-month policy term. It’s 37% cheaper than standard liability-only car insurance and 69% cheaper than full-coverage car insurance, according to Insurify data. Several major auto insurance companies offer non-owner car insurance, including GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, and Allstate.
If you regularly borrow a car or use car-sharing services like Zipcar, a non-owner car insurance policy might come in handy. While non-owner policies have standard policy terms, they’re significantly cheaper than standard policies. This makes a non-owner policy the right financial choice for drivers who need insurance on a periodic basis.
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for low-mileage drivers
In recent years, brands like Mile Auto and Hugo have started offering pay-per-mile auto insurance. With Mile Auto, drivers send in their odometer readings at the end of the month. Then, the company determines rates based on how many miles policyholders drove.
Pay-per-mile car insurance is a good idea for low-mileage drivers. These auto policies are also more privacy-friendly, as your insurer isn’t tracking your driving behavior — just your mileage.
Unfortunately, very few car insurance companies offer pay-per-mile insurance. Hugo and Mile Auto aren’t currently available in New Jersey. Allstate’s pay-per-mile program, Milewise, is only available in six states.
Stored car insurance: Best for occasional drivers
Many car insurance companies offer a significant discount to drivers who store their vehicles for long periods of time. For example, USAA offers major discounts to deployed policyholders who won’t drive their vehicles for a while.
Some car insurance companies offer a separate car storage insurance product, which is essentially a comprehensive-only policy that protects your stored car in the event of severe weather or vandalism. Talk to an insurance agent for more information on stored car insurance.
Pros and cons of temporary car insurance
Deciding on the right type of auto coverage to meet your needs as a driver is important. You’ll have to consider how frequently you drive, your annual mileage, how you like to pay for car insurance, and more.
Here are a few benefits and drawbacks of temporary auto insurance to consider.
Pros
Helps you out in short-term driving situations
Cheaper than a standard policy
Flexible options, from non-owner insurance to pay-as-you-go coverage
Cons
Many insurers don’t offer temporary insurance
Few one-day insurance options
You may still end up buying more coverage than you need
Temporary car insurance in New Jersey FAQs
New Jersey drivers have options when it comes to temporary car insurance. Here are some answers to questions you might have about temporary car insurance in New Jersey.
Can you get temporary insurance in New Jersey?
Standard car insurance policies in New Jersey are six to 12 months long. New Jersey drivers can get temporary insurance by canceling a standard insurance policy early, purchasing non-owner car insurance, or purchasing pay-per-mile car insurance.
How can you get $1-a-day insurance in New Jersey?
Low-income drivers in New Jersey may qualify for the state’s Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) program, which costs $365 per year and covers medical expenses after an accident. This isn’t a temporary insurance policy, and drivers must pay the $365 premium up front in one or two installments.4
Is temporary car insurance legit?
Only a few legit car insurance companies offer temporary policies. Most companies sell coverage only in term lengths of six or 12 months. If a company is offering policies with a shorter time frame, do your research to make sure the company isn’t a scam. Checking customer reviews and the Better Business Bureau website can give you some answers.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in New Jersey?
CSAA is the cheapest car insurance company in New Jersey, with an average rate of $95 per month for liability-only car insurance. Other cheap insurers include Bristol West and NJM, with respective average monthly liability rates of $149 and $169.
)
Insurance Writer
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
){kind=small}