Temporary Auto Insurance (2023) | AutoInsurance.org

UPDATED: Dec 23, 2022

Fact Checked

Things to Remember

• While you might see advertisements for short-term car insurance, most offers are scams

• Your best bet for temporary car insurance is to buy a standard six-month policy and cancel when you no longer need it

• Other options for affordable insurance include rental car coverage or usage-based insurance

From renting a car to borrowing a friend’s vehicle when yours is in the shop, there are plenty of reasons why people need temporary car insurance. Unfortunately, no reputable company sells month-to-month car insurance.

Instead, you can buy a standard policy that lasts six months and cancel it when you no longer need it. You can also consider alternatives to a standard policy, such as rental auto coverage or usage-based insurance.

The best temporary insurance for you depends on your situation. Read on to explore your options, then compare quotes to find the best price for your needs.

What is temporary car insurance?

Most drivers need long-term car insurance, but you might find yourself in a situation where you need coverage for a short period. However, short-term or temporary car insurance doesn’t exist — any company that advertises otherwise might be a scam.

Instead, insurance companies offer policies in six-month or one-year terms. So if you need insurance for a limited time, you can sign up for a standard policy and cancel it when you no longer need it.

You can also consider alternatives to regular car insurance, like a pay-per-mile policy or non-owner auto insurance. Whichever you choose, check for cancellation fees before signing up for a policy. Many large insurance companies don’t charge an early cancellation fee, but some do.

How much does temporary car insurance cost?

When looking for cheap temporary car insurance, buying a six-month minimum coverage policy is a solid option. Insurance rates depend on various factors, but you can check the average annual cost of liability car insurance in your state below.

Top Auto Insurance Companies Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Rates

Insurance CompanyAverage Minimum Coverage Rates

Allstate$61

American Family$44

Farmers$53

Geico$31

Liberty Mutual$68

Nationwide$44

Progressive$39

State Farm$33

Travelers$37

Average$45

Get Your Rates

Quote Now#blank#

Compare Rates

Start Now →

You might notice a significant difference in insurance rates between states. Most states have auto insurance requirements affecting how much your coverage costs. Other factors like traffic, crime rates, and extreme weather risks can also increase your rates.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

When should you get short-term car insurance?

Most drivers need continuous coverage for their cars, but there are a few times when weekly car insurance or auto insurance for two weeks might be best.

Consider finding a temporary solution for car insurance in these situations:

• You plan to borrow someone’s car for a few days. However, if you’re taking a car for a few hours, the owner’s insurance will likely cover you.

• A friend or relative loans you a car while yours is getting repairs.

• You plan to rent a car for an extended period. Buying insurance from the rental company is usually an easier option.

• You and a friend plan on sharing driving responsibilities on a long road trip.

Most drivers don’t need temporary car insurance as there are usually better solutions. For example, a friend or relative can alert their insurance company that you’re temporarily using their car, giving you coverage on their policy. Does my auto insurance cover other drivers? The answer is usually yes, but check with your insurance agent and insurance company. 

How do you get short-term car insurance?

Since you can’t buy car insurance by the day, you’ll need a standard car insurance policy. The purchasing process is the same as if you were buying regular coverage, though you’ll cancel the policy when you no longer need it.

According to Forbes, most car insurance policies are sold in six-month units, though you can also find one-year plans. When you buy a policy, you can make monthly car insurance payments or pay for everything upfront.

When you need temporary coverage, consider getting minimum insurance to keep your costs down. Although your insurance won’t be around for very long, you should still compare quotes with as many companies as possible to find the lowest rates.

Once you no longer need insurance, you can cancel your policy. If you decide to pay for your policy upfront, your insurance company will refund you for the unused portion. Most large insurance companies don’t charge a cancellation fee, but you should double-check.

If you plan to keep your insurance for more than a week, setting a reminder to cancel can prevent you from paying for more insurance than you need. While you can get a quote and sign up for insurance online, you’ll probably have to speak to an insurance representative to cancel. Find an auto insurance company agent in your area to learn more. . 

Are there alternatives to temporary insurance?

Buying a standard car insurance policy might not be your best option when you need car insurance for a month.

Depending on your situation, consider the following alternatives to buying short-term car insurance:

• Rental car insurance.

  If you rent a car infrequently, consider buying the rental company’s coverage.

• Non-owner car insurance.

  Standard car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver.

  Non-owner auto insurance covers you, offering coverage on any vehicle you drive.

• Join an existing policy.

  A parent or guardian can add young drivers to an existing family policy. You can join a parent or guardian’s policy even if you’re living away from home for school.

• Pay-per-mile insurance.

  While it’s not short-term insurance, you can save money on your coverage by choosing usage-based insurance. With pay per use auto insurance , you pay for insurance by the mile.

With so many options to find insurance that meets your temporary needs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, there’s no need to stress — an insurance representative can help you sort through your options and pick the right coverage.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Find the Best Short-Term Car Insurance for Your Needs

While you won’t find genuine short-term insurance, you have plenty of coverage options and types of auto insurance. Whether you choose non-owner insurance or decide to cancel a six-month policy when you’re ready, finding affordable coverage doesn’t have to be a challenge.

No matter which type of insurance you choose, the best way to find affordable coverage is to compare rates with as many companies as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy car insurance for one month?

While you might see advertisements for insurance lasting a month, they’re usually scams. Reputable companies won’t sell a policy lasting less than six months, but they allow you to cancel early.

How do you request a refund for car insurance?

Most insurance companies require you to call an insurance representative to cancel your insurance policy. Once you’ve canceled your policy, you’ll probably receive a verification letter. You likely won’t need to do anything to get a refund besides wait — most refunds take about 30 days to process.

Do you need temporary car insurance to borrow a friend’s car?

Most insurance policies include permissive use, allowing the owner to lend their car out occasionally. If you don’t regularly use their car, their insurance will cover you while you drive their vehicle.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All…

Full Bio →

Written by

Rachel Bodine
Feature Writer

Dan Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has been working in his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco.
He reviews content, ensuring that ex…

Full Bio →

Reviewed by

Daniel Walker

Licensed Auto Insurance Agent