How to Get Car Insurance Online With a Checking Account (2025)
Using checks, mobile payment apps, cash, or EFTs is an easy way to buy insurance if you don’t have a checking account or credit card.
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Most states require drivers to have at least a minimum amount of liability car insurance. But if you don’t have a credit card, it’s still possible to pay your premiums.
You can get car insurance online with a checking account or other payment method.
“You can pay for car insurance with cash, money orders, or prepaid debit cards,” says Jesse Cunningham, licensed agent and owner of Bauple, an independent insurance brokerage in Maryland. “None of these payment methods require a bank account.”
Some companies even accept premium payments through PayPal or Apple Pay. However you decide to pay your premiums, it’s important to pay on time every month. Not paying could lead to a lapse in coverage.
How to pay for car insurance without a credit card
“Most insurance companies will accept alternative forms of payment,” Cunningham says. He recommends speaking with an independent agent if you’re concerned about paying for car insurance without a credit card.
Here are some ways to get car insurance online without a credit card.
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Check (paper, electronic, or cashier’s)
Writing a check isn’t as common as it used to be, but it’s a safe and convenient way to pay for your car insurance. A check is a document promising someone they’ll receive payment from you.
You can mail a paper check, send an electronic check through your online banking software, or have your bank issue you a cashier’s check. Just make sure to mail your check early to avoid any late payments.
Debit card
When you open a checking account at a bank or credit union, you’ll typically receive a free debit card. Although it looks like a credit card, a debit card takes money directly from your bank account when you use it to make a payment. Credit cards offer a revolving line of credit that users pay back after they spend with the card.
If you pay your premium with a debit card, your insurer may keep the card number on file and automatically charge you each month. That way, you don’t have to worry about missing a payment or lapses in coverage.
Electronic funds transfers
An electronic funds transfer (EFT) lets your insurance company receive the money electronically instead of you writing a paper check.1 When you sign up for car insurance, you’ll give your insurance company your checking account and routing numbers. Then, the insurance company deducts the funds from your account each month when your payment is due.
EFT is one of the safest forms of payment. By setting up auto pay, you’ll never have to worry about your policy lapsing or canceling due to non-payment. Some insurance companies even offer discounts for using auto pay.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay allows you to store your card information in a mobile wallet on your phone.2
Some insurers accept Apple Pay, including Progressive, State Farm, GEICO, and USAA. Your insurer may also give you the option to add your insurance card to your Apple Wallet so you always have it on hand.
PayPal or other mobile payment services
PayPal allows you to send and receive payments online using its website or mobile app. Most car insurance companies don’t accept PayPal, but some do. For example, Progressive accepts PayPal — and Google Pay.
Prepaid cards
Prepaid cards aren’t linked to a bank account. Instead, you load money onto the card and can only spend up to the amount you’ve loaded. Prepaid debit cards usually have reload fees or monthly maintenance fees. This makes them an expensive way to store and use money.
And, if you lose your prepaid card or it gets stolen, you have no way to get that money back. You should only use a prepaid card as a last resort to pay your car insurance premium.
Money orders
Progressive, State Farm, and Travelers are a few companies that accept money orders as a form of payment. You can buy money orders to pay a business or another person as an alternative to a check.
You can buy a money order at:
Banks
Credit unions
Most post offices
Grocery stores
Gas stations
Retailers like Walmart
If you don’t have a checking account, a money order is a safer option than cash. But you may pay a fee each time you buy one.
In-person cash payments
Some insurance companies still accept cash payments at their local offices. Ask your insurance company if it accepts cash as a payment option. If it doesn’t take cash, you could buy a money order or use a prepaid card instead.
Do all car insurance companies accept checks?
Most major car insurance companies accept various payment methods, including paper, electronic, and cashier’s checks. For instance, popular insurers like Progressive, State Farm, GEICO, and Allstate accept check payments.
Most insurers will let you mail in a paper check or cashier’s check with the payment stub. You may also be able to add your check routing numbers on the company’s website or mobile app and pay by electronic check.
The advantage of setting up auto pay with an electronic check is that you don’t have to worry about potential late payments.
How your credit affects car insurance rates
Insurance companies use information from your consumer credit report to generate a credit-based insurance score. This score predicts how likely you are to file a claim, and it affects how much your car insurance policy will cost, depending on the state.3
California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, and Utah prohibit or limit insurance companies’ use of credit information in determining your insurance rates. But unless you live in one of those states, your credit history will influence your insurance premiums.
You still can find cheap car insurance, even with bad credit. Raising your deductible and eliminating any unnecessary coverage will lower the cost. It’s also a good idea to receive quotes from multiple insurance companies.
The following table outlines what you might pay on average based on your credit rating. The better your credit rating, the lower your insurance premiums will be.
Buying car insurance online with a checking account FAQs
Here’s some additional information about buying car insurance without a credit card.
Can you pay your car insurance bill with your bank account?
Yes. You can pay your car insurance bill with your bank account in several different ways. You can set up an electronic funds transfer (EFT) and automated clearing house (ACH) payments. You should be able to set this up through the billing section on your insurance company’s website or mobile app.
Which insurance doesn’t require a down payment?
All insurers require an initial down payment. Typically, the down payment will be your first month’s premium, but some insurers will charge an additional fee on top of it. Some insurers that don’t charge an additional fee include Alliance, Allstate, Farmers, Kemper, Nationwide, Progressive, SafeAuto, and State Farm.
Do insurance companies ask for your bank account number?
If you pay your car insurance company directly through your checking account, you have to provide your banking information. You need to provide your checking account and routing numbers so your insurer can process the payment.
You should be able to do this online or through your insurance company’s mobile app. And your insurance company will have security features in place to keep your banking information safe.
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