Texas drivers must get liability insurance with minimum-coverage amounts to comply with state laws.1 But if you’re looking for a short-term car insurance policy, you may wonder if you can get temporary car insurance in Texas to fill the gap.
Unfortunately, temporary car insurance isn’t exactly an option, and the shortest term available is typically a six-month policy.
Here’s what you need to know about such policies in Texas.
Best temporary car insurance in Texas
Major auto insurance companies don’t sell temporary car insurance in Texas. Instead, you can get a six-month insurance policy and cancel it before the term ends. If you do, you’ll get a refund for the remaining months of the policy term.2
To avoid a lapse in coverage, make sure you have another policy in place before canceling; otherwise, your premiums will increase.
Here are some of the best car insurance companies in Texas to get coverage from.
State Farm: Best for low rates
GEICO: Best for discounts
Mile Auto: Best for pay-per-mile insurance
Cheapest short-term car insurance in Texas
Short-term car insurance in Texas can be as low as $37 per month for a six-month liability insurance policy, according to Insurify data. Meanwhile, monthly rates can reach as high as $457 per month for full coverage. Your premium will vary depending on your age, vehicle type, coverage type, ZIP code, driving record, and more.
The table below breaks down the cheapest short-term car insurance in Texas with liability-only average monthly quotes for a six-month policy. Note that Hugo is the only insurer that sells policies with terms shorter than six months.
Options for temporary car insurance
If you’re looking for temporary car insurance in Texas, consider the coverage types listed below.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for flexibility
Pay-as-go-car insurance is ideal if you’re looking for temporary car insurance in Texas and you value flexibility. Hugo is a car insurance company that allows you to pay for days, weeks, or months of car insurance coverage. This is far different than a standard auto insurance policy. With Hugo, you pay as you go and make insurance payments as you drive.
Hugo sells policies for three days, seven days, 14 days, one month, or six months. But the company only sells state-minimum coverage liability policies, so if you need higher liability limits, or full coverage — which typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage — you won’t be able to use Hugo.
You can save money with pay-as-you-go insurance, but you’ll need to stay on top of your insurance coverage. Be aware that taking a break from such coverage options could cause the DMV to get a notification about your lapse in car insurance coverage, which could create additional consequences.
Non-owner car insurance: Best for Texas drivers without a car
If you don’t have your own vehicle but regularly drive other people’s cars — whether friends’, family members’, rental cars, or car-sharing — you could consider non-owner car insurance. Non-owner car insurance provides basic liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage. This ensures you’re protected if you cause damage or injury to another driver. But it doesn’t offer any benefits if you’re injured or have property damage.
Non-owner car insurance is generally cheaper than a standard auto insurance policy, but it has limited benefits and doesn’t include comprehensive or collision coverage.
Some companies that offer non-owner car insurance policies include:
GEICO
Nationwide
State Farm
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for remote workers
Pay-per-mile insurance calculates your insurance premiums using a base rate and per-mile rate. So how many miles you drive will affect your premium, which can change each month. Generally, this type of car insurance is best for consumers who drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year.
If you’re a remote worker in Texas and don’t have a commute, this could be a good option for you. You may cut down your rates significantly. But if your mileage increases, so can your costs, and it may no longer be a good fit. Mile Auto offers pay-per-mile insurance in Texas. Metromile and Milewise, by Allstate, are also pay-per-mile insurers but aren’t currently available in Texas.
Rideshare insurance: Best for rideshare drivers
If you drive or do deliveries with a rideshare company, getting rideshare insurance can be a type of temporary insurance to get while you do this work. Rideshare companies typically provide protection while you’re working. But if something happens, like an accident while you’re between rides or waiting for the next request, you can be vulnerable. Rideshare insurance can protect you in these instances.
Pros and cons of temporary car insurance
Getting temporary car insurance in Texas can seem like a good idea. But consider the pros and cons before making any major changes.