What to Know About Six-Month Car Insurance Policies
Six-month car insurance policies are more flexible than 12-month policies. After six months, you can renew your policy or switch insurers.
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Six-month car insurance is exactly what it sounds like: Coverage that lasts for a six-month term. While six-month coverage is also known as temporary or short-term car insurance, it’s a standard time period for an insurance policy. Another common term length is a 12-month policy.
The benefit of a six-month auto policy is its flexibility. With a shorter policy term, you have the ability to change insurers sooner if you’re unhappy with your coverage or if you find a better rate.
Here’s what you need to know about six-month car insurance to see if it’s the right option for you.
Cheapest six-month car insurance companies
COUNTRY Financial, New Jersey Manufacturers (NJM), and Auto-Owners offer some of the cheapest auto insurance for a six-month term.
The table below shows how rates vary by company and policy type.
Best companies for six-month car insurance
The best policy for you depends on your needs, policy type, and budget. Below are Insurify’s top six-month car insurers: COUNTRY Financial, New Jersey Manufacturers, and USAA.
COUNTRY Financial: Best for your budget
NJM: Best for claims satisfaction
USAA: Best for military members
To determine the best six-month car insurance companies, we compared different factors including price, coverage options, customer claims satisfaction, auto insurance discounts, and Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores.
Six vs. 12-month car insurance policies
While the differences between a six-month and 12-month policy are marginal, you may prefer one over the other.
With a six-month policy, your insurer can change your premiums every six months. So, if you’re unhappy with your rate or aren’t receiving satisfactory service, you can switch car insurance companies after your policy term is over without paying possible cancellation fees.
With a six-month policy, you can also see lower rates sooner if a traffic violation falls off your record. But you may also see higher rates if you get another driving violation or file a claim.1
With a 12-month policy, you get fixed rates for the entire year. If your auto insurance rates are already affordable and you’re happy with your current company, you may not want to get a new policy every six months.
A 12-month term may benefit drivers who prefer managing their auto insurance policies as little as possible. With this term length, you only need to keep track of renewing your policy and premium changes once a year.
Pros and cons of a six-month policy
A six-month car insurance policy may be ideal for many drivers, but it has drawbacks. Here are some advantages and challenges of a six-month standard car insurance policy term.
Factors that affect six-month car insurance costs
A number of factors go into determining your car insurance premium for a six-month policy, including:2 3
Six-month car insurance FAQs
If you’re still trying to decide if a six-month insurance policy is right for you, check out the additional information below.
Can you insure a car for only six months?
Yes. Many auto insurance companies offer drivers the option to purchase car insurance for a six- or 12-month term. With a six-month policy, your premiums can change twice per year, while with an annual policy, they stay the same all year.
Is it cheaper to pay car insurance every six months?
With six-month car insurance, your policy renews twice per year. If you haven’t filed a claim or your driving record has improved, it’s possible your rates could decrease. With a six-month term, you could see the decrease sooner than with a 12-month policy. But if you get a ticker or have to file a claim, you could see your rates increase sooner.
Should you pay your six-month policy in full or in monthly installments?
Many insurance companies offer a paid-in-full discount if you pay your full policy at once rather than monthly payments. This can help lower your overall cost. But many people prefer to pay monthly installments because it can make budgeting easier.
Can you get month-to-month insurance?
While most auto insurers don’t offer coverage for less than six months, temporary auto insurance options are available, such as pay-as-you-go or pay-per-mile insurance.
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