What Is Temporary Car Insurance?
Car insurance can cover you on the open road, but long-term coverage may not always be necessary. If you only need car insurance for a short amount of time, such as a month or six weeks, you can consider temporary car insurance options. While temporary car insurance isn't an actual type of policy, there are ways to buy short-term coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Car insurance companies typically require you to purchase regular policies in increments of six months to a year.
- Temporary car insurance isn't a specific type of policy, but there are ways to get short-term coverage.
- The simplest option is typically to purchase a six-month policy and cancel it when you no longer need it, though you may pay an early cancellation fee.
- You can also consider non-owner insurance, rental car insurance, or being added to a family member's policy, depending on your situation.
How Temporary Car Insurance Works
Typically, car insurance policies cover you for a term of at least six months. Some car insurance companies offer 12-month policies, though they're not as common.
If you only need to be covered for a short amount of time, like six weeks, temporary car insurance could sound more appealing. After all, you'll want to avoid paying for car insurance coverage you won’t need or use.
However, most car insurance companies don’t specifically offer temporary car insurance. If you only need coverage for a month or two, one option is to purchase a six-month policy and then cancel your car insurance when you no longer need it—though there may be a cancellation fee.
It might be tempting to forego insurance if it's only for a short time, but it's not a good idea. Driving without insurance is punishable by fines and even jail time in certain states. For example, in Massachusetts, the penalty is a fine between $500 and $5,000 and/or up to a year in jail.
Examples of Situations for Temporary Car Insurance
You might consider temporary car insurance options if you're:
- Home from college for summer break
- Borrowing a car from a friend or family member
- Visiting the U.S. and planning to drive
- Planning to sell your car soon
- Renting a car
- Driving a car only seasonally, such as at a summer home
Different types of temporary insurance could meet your needs depending on the situation, and you may not always need your own policy. For example, if you're home from college and using the family car for the summer, perhaps you can be added to a parent's policy. If you're renting a car, consider purchasing rental car insurance from the rental company. If you're planning to sell your car soon but your current insurance policy is about to expire, it might be worth simply renewing your coverage and then cancelling it after you sell your car.
If you don't own a car, you can purchase non-owner insurance to cover your liability when driving cars you've borrowed from friends, rented, or picked up through a car-sharing company like Zipcar.
Does Temporary Car Insurance Exist?
Not as a specific type of policy, at least from major car insurers. Most insurance companies sell policies with terms of six or 12 months. But you can always purchase a regular car insurance policy and cancel it when you no longer need it. You can also consider other options specific to your situation, from rental car insurance to non-owner insurance.
Can I Buy Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Car Insurance?
Again, not from major insurers. Instead, you'll typically need to purchase a six-month policy and cancel it early. You can also look into alternatives like being added to a family member's policy or choosing a mileage-based insurance policy, which charges you a premium based on how much you drive each month.
How Much Does Temporary Car Insurance Cost?
As with all car insurance, your premiums depend on factors like your state, age, driving record, and vehicle. If you sign up for a six-month policy and plan to cancel it early, you may also be charged a cancellation fee, so make sure to read the fine print on your policy.
The Bottom Line
While temporary car insurance doesn't exist as a specific type of policy, there are ways to get short-term car insurance coverage. One way is to sign up for a six-month policy and plan to cancel it early, though you can also consider options like non-owner insurance and being temporarily added to the insurance policy of someone who lives with you.
