Temporary Car Insurance: Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Options

For individuals who only need coverage for a limited time, temporary car insurance can be ideal. It’s most useful in situations where a driver requires flexibility, such as borrowing a car, renting a vehicle, or covering a newly purchased car until a permanent policy is in place.

However, be aware that most major insurance providers don’t offer temporary car insurance. So you’ll want to do your due diligence on lesser known insurers before agreeing to anything.

Temporary car insurance requirements

While temporary car insurance is generally available to most drivers, you’re still required to have a valid license and may need to meet the insurer’s age requirement – which often starts at 21. It’s also important to note that high-risk drivers, such as those with multiple traffic violations or accidents, may face more restrictions or higher premiums when applying for temporary car insurance, and each provider may have its own qualifications or exclusions based on age, driving record, or vehicle type.

How long can I get temporary car insurance for?

Temporary car insurance policies typically range in duration from one day to several months. And pay-per-mile providers, such as MetroMile, can even serve as temporary coverage for those who may only need protection for a few hours.

Can I get car insurance for a month?

The easiest and cheapest option to get month-to-month car insurance is to choose an insurer that offers monthly payments and no cancellation fees, then cancel before you pay for your second month. You’ll get the rest refunded at a pro-rated rate based on how many days are left on the policy.

Can I get car insurance for a week?

Getting car insurance for a short vacation or a weekend holiday is probably easier if you get a rental car and purchase insurance through the rental company. Otherwise, if it’s a car you’re borrowing from a friend or family member, make sure their policy will cover other permitted drivers.

Can I get car insurance for a day?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to get car insurance for a day or a weekend. The companies that advertise one day policies aren’t known to be reputable. Your best bet may be to get rental car coverage or a non-owner policy. You can also get pay-per-mile auto insurance that charges you only for the miles you drive.

When does taking out temporary car insurance make sense?

Temporary car insurance is best when purchasing a full-term policy would be unnecessary and costly, making temporary insurance a cost-effective alternative. Common scenarios where temporary insurance makes sense can include:

• Borrowing a car from a friend or family member whose insurance wouldn’t cover you.
• Renting a vehicle without long-term insurance.
• Test-driving a car before purchase.
• Occasional drivers such as those who only drive when it’s for travel or business.
• International drivers and visitors.

When can I skip temporary car insurance?

You might not need a separate car insurance policy if:

• You have homes in two different states. Your car insurance covers you in every state, though different rules and regulations apply about where you need to register and insure your car primarily. Make sure your current policy meets the minimum requirements of both states and you’re following state registration rules.
• You attend college in another state. If you’re still a permanent resident of your home state, you’ll register and insure your car in your home state, but your insurance will cover you in your college state.
• You’re renting a car. You might already have coverage through your existing car insurance policy or the credit card you used to pay for the rental car. Otherwise you can opt for coverage through the rental car company, which may still be cheaper than temporary car insurance if you’re only renting it for a short period.
• You’re borrowing a friend’s car. If you’re borrowing a friend or family member’s car for the day, their insurance would typically cover you. Your friend might need to add you as a permitted driver to the policy, or you can get a non-owners policy.
• You’re driving a family member’s car. If you live in the same home, you’re typically covered to drive your family member’s car, unless you’ve been specifically excluded as a driver on the policy.
• You drive your RV, motorcycle or classic car part of the year. A seasonal auto insurance policy will be much cheaper than a temporary policy if you only stay in your RV during the winter or ride your bike in the summer, for example.

What are the alternatives to short term insurance?

You can easily find companies that will provide temporary car insurance, but usually at a cost. Instead of opting for a lesser-known insurance company that specializes in temporary car insurance, consider a more flexible car insurance option.

• Pay premiums monthly. Choose a 6 or 12-month policy that lets you pay your premiums monthly and cancel it when you no longer need coverage. Most major insurers don’t charge cancellation fees.
• Pay per mile. This type of policy allows you to enjoy all the benefits of comprehensive car insurance while only paying for how much you drive. One drawback is that you’ll usually pay a small minimum amount, limiting your savings if you’re only using the car in the short term.
• Add a driver to an existing policy. If you’re borrowing a relative’s or friend’s car for a temporary period, ask them to add you to their policy as a listed driver.
• Rent a car. Though it’s an expensive option, you could rent a car and purchase insurance through the rental company.

Expert insight: When would I need temporary coverage?

"Temporary car insurance often — but not exclusively — comes into play in the context of a rental car. It’s important to know that some states require individual policies to automatically cover rental vehicles, so know what coverage you have before buying any type of temporary coverage as you may not need it. That being said, in the context of a rental, if coverage is needed, it will be available for purchase at the time of rental. If your private policy — or that of your employer if the rental is work-related — does not provide coverage, a short-term policy should absolutely be purchased for full coverage. Like all insurance, temporary coverage is worth it if and when a claim arises. "

Chris Johnston

Personal injury attorney and founding partner of Des Moines Injury Law

What should I watch out for with temporary car insurance?

While there may be reasons to seek out short term car insurance, there are also pitfalls to consider:

• Coverage is hard to find. Companies are wary of temporary policies due to high-risk drivers or the unlikeliness to renew. Many of the larger carriers only offer coverage for a minimum of 6 months.
• Premiums are more expensive. If you’re going to use the car for at least two or three months of the year, it’s usually cheaper on a per-day rate to get seasonal insurance or layup coverage or take out an annual policy and cancel it when you no longer need it.
• Temporary coverage could lapse. With a monthly policy, there’s a risk of letting your policy lapse while you’re still driving the car. And if you’re caught driving without insurance, you could face penalties.
• Future premiums may go up. You may pay more for insurance in the future if you show a lapse in coverage from on-and-off coverage.

Bottom line

While car insurance is required in all 50 states, specialty companies offer short-term coverage, usually at a higher price. Compare your car insurance options to find the best one for however long you’ll be on the road.

Written by

Roslyn McKenna

Publisher

Roslyn McKenna Ayers is insurance manager at ValuePenguin and a former publisher at Finder, specializing in home and auto coverage. Her expertise and analysis has been featured on Bankrate, MSN and Reader's Digest. She holds a BA in writing and communications from Maryville College. See full bio