Temporary Car Insurance in Pennsylvania (2025)

Traditional car insurance policies are active for six or 12 months, and the average cost in Pennsylvania is $143 per month. You typically can’t get a short-term car insurance policy for fewer than six months.

The good news is that you still have options. Depending on the type of coverage you need, you might be able to cancel early, utilize pay-per-mile coverage, or opt for pay as you go.

Here’s how temporary car insurance works in Pennsylvania.

Best temporary car insurance in Pennsylvania

To find the best temporary car insurance in Pennsylvania, start by considering why you need coverage. For example, you might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance if you only drive a few times per month. Or a non-owner policy might make sense if you don’t own a car but regularly drive someone else’s vehicle.

The following insurers offer the best temporary car insurance options in Pennsylvania.

Nationwide: Best for pay-per-mile coverage

State Farm: Best for cheap rates

Hugo: Best for pay-as-you-go coverage

Cheapest short-term car insurance in Pennsylvania

The cost of short-term car insurance in Pennsylvania depends on the type of coverage you want. For example, pay-per-mile insurance is usually cheaper than other types of coverage. But you might spend more for a non-owner policy.

Drivers in Pennsylvania pay an average of $143 per month on car insurance. But you could spend more or less depending on your age, duration of coverage, vehicle type, location, and driving record.1

The following insurers offer the cheapest rates in Pennsylvania.

Options for temporary car insurance

Most reputable insurance companies offer policies that are active for six or 12 months. When searching for temporary car insurance, you might need to get creative and consider other options to fulfill your requirements.

Here are the most common solutions for drivers who need short-term coverage.

Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for budget-conscious drivers

Pay-as-you-go car insurance allows you to pay for short amounts of coverage — between three days and six months — using “micropayments.” Instead of a monthly premium, you pay as you use the policy. It’s a helpful solution if you’re on a tight budget or can’t afford a large recurring payment. It’s also the option that’s most similar to a temporary policy.

But you have to be careful about an accidental lapse in coverage with pay-as-you-go insurance. A lapse can lead to license suspension and cause car insurance rates to increase. For example, Hugo, one of the most popular pay-as-you-go insurers, reports lapses in coverage to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation immediately. The risk of using a pay-as-you-go plan is that it costs more because you turn “off” the coverage throughout the month.

Non-owner car insurance: Best for drivers without a car

Non-owner car insurance is the same as standard liability-only insurance policies. The only difference is that you don’t own a car. The coverage meets the minimum legal requirements for Pennsylvania, which means it covers the cost of vehicle repairs and medical bills for the other driver if you cause an accident. But it doesn’t pay for any of your expenses.

Major insurance companies, like Progressive, State Farm, and Travelers, offer non-owner car insurance. It can be a good option for people who regularly drive other people’s cars. It’s usually cheaper than standard car insurance policies, but coverage is limited to property damage and bodily injury liability, which might be a non-starter for some drivers.

Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for low-mileage drivers

Pay-per-mile insurance is similar to standard car insurance. You can customize the coverage and select higher limits, but you only pay for the number of miles you drive. Most insurers charge a base rate that you pay every month — usually around $60. After that, you pay a per-mile rate that’s often less than $0.10.

It’s a unique insurance option that can help low-mileage drivers save a significant amount of money every month. It’s especially helpful if you drive less than 10,000 miles per year. Nationwide and USAA are popular pay-per-mile insurers in Pennsylvania.

Rental car insurance: Best for travelers

Rental car insurance is coverage through a rental car company. When you rent a car, you can choose to add insurance coverage for an additional fee. Most standard insurance policies include coverage for rental cars, so it doesn’t make sense for those drivers to add the coverage. But if you don’t own a car and regularly rent vehicles, it’s an effective and straightforward way to set up temporary coverage.2

Rental car insurance might be more expensive than standard car insurance policies, but it can be worth the cost since it’s a one-time fee. It’s also quick and easy to set up when you pick up the rental car.

Pros and cons of temporary car insurance

It can be challenging to find temporary car insurance policies that are shorter than six months. But depending on why you need coverage, you can find a solution. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of temporary car insurance.