One-week car insurance doesn't exist as a standalone policy, but several workarounds allow you to get short-term car insurance for just seven days. People need one-week car insurance when borrowing vehicles, temporary car insurance during policy transitions, or car insurance for only a few days to fill brief coverage gaps. The most affordable one-week rates start at $17 per week from GEICO and Kemper.
One-Week Car Insurance
Updated: September 2, 2025
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Seven-Day Car Insurance: Key Takeaways
One-week car insurance costs start at $17. GEICO, Kemper and Nationwide offer standard policies you can cancel after one week for temporary car insurance coverage.
People borrowing vehicles, test driving, using a borrowed vehicle temporarily, facing insurance gaps or hosting visitors may seek a one-week car insurance option for short-term coverage.
One-week policies don't exist. Ads offering one-week or single-day car insurance are scams.
Why You Can Trust MoneyGeek's One-Week Car Insurance Analysis
MoneyGeek provides reliable and accurate rate comparisons by analyzing over 83,000 car insurance quotes from 46 companies across various state regulations. Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed property and casualty insurance producer, reviews each piece of content to ensure compliance and accuracy.
How to Get One-Week Car Insurance
Getting actual 1-week car insurance proves challenging, but several alternatives provide short-term coverage.
1. Explore One-Week Car Insurance Options
Conventional car insurance companies won't sell actual one-week policies. Due to state regulations and administrative costs, traditional insurers require minimum policy terms of 30 days to six months. Specialized temporary car insurance providers offer quotes for short-term needs, but verify that these companies have proper state licensing
WHY ONE-WEEK AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGE ISN'T COMMON
- State filing requirements make short-term policies expensive to process. Insurance companies must file rate changes with state regulators, taking weeks or months for approval.
- Minimum policy terms in many states require more extended coverage periods. State regulations mandate 10 to 30-day cancellation notice periods, making 7-day car insurance policies legally difficult to structure.
- Risk assessment complicates pricing. Insurers need time to evaluate your information, so underwriting takes longer than a week.
- Fraud prevention creates restrictions. Claims investigations extend beyond a week, creating coverage gaps that fraudsters exploit.
2. Assess Your Short-Term Coverage Needs
You'll want collision and comprehensive coverage added to your one-week car insurance policy, if you're driving in high-risk areas or expecting bad weather.
3. Meet Your State's Minimum Requirements
Short-term car insurance coverage and costs are affected by state laws and regulations, even if you only need car insurance for one week or just a few days. Check what your state requires for minimum liability coverage, bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Some states also require additional weekly car insurance protections for one-week car insurance policies, including personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage.
4. Find Flexible Short-Term Policy Cancellation Terms
Search for temporary one-week car insurance from companies offering month-to-month agreements or flexible cancellation terms without penalties. Some insurers provide prorated refunds for unused coverage days, letting you cancel after one week and recover most of your premium.
5. Buy a Standard Policy and Cancel After One Week
Get 1 week of car insurance by purchasing a standard policy and terminating it after seven days. Major providers charge $9 to $13 for one week of coverage without cancellation fees.
6. Document Your One-Week Policy Cancellation
If you choose the "buy-and-cancel" strategy for one-week car insurance coverage, get written confirmation of your cancellation. This document should outline the cancellation date, outstanding balances, and refund amount. Save this confirmation to avoid billing disputes or coverage gaps.
7. Add Yourself to an Existing Policy
If you plan to borrow a vehicle from a family member or roommate with whom you share the same verified address, ask to be temporarily added to their policy for your one-week coverage needs. This requires written consent and proof of shared residence, but it often costs less than other options.
8. Consider Temporary Non-Owner Car Insurance
Non-owner car insurance works well as temporary car insurance for people who only need one-week of coverage and drive vehicles they don't own. This specialized insurance offers liability coverage for infrequent drivers, providing financial protection during accidents while operating someone else's vehicle.
Non-owner policies cost less than one-week car insurance policies, averaging $448 annually compared to $490 for standard coverage.
9. Explore Usage-Based Insurance Options
Pay-per-mile insurance works well as a one-week car insurance substitute if you own a vehicle but drive infrequently. These programs calculate premiums based on exact mileage, offering savings for drivers who only need temporary car insurance coverage. Drivers using pay-per-mile for temporary car insurance see cost reductions of 15% to 25% compared to standard policies.
10. Plan Strategically
One-week car insurance costs more than standard policies. Approach the selection process carefully. Premiums, coverage types, administrative fees and eligibility criteria should all be evaluated. Identify the policy that best fits your needs and budget by comparing options from multiple insurers.
How Much Does One-Week Car Insurance Cost?
Insurance companies use different methods to calculate weekly car insurance rates. You pay for the first month upfront before your 7-day car insurance policy activates. Here's a cost breakdown for some of the most cheapest one-week coverage quotes:
Provider | Annual Rate | Monthly Rate | Weekly Rate | Weekly Rate vs. National Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GEICO | $792 | $66 | $17 | -$9 |
Kemper | $936 | $78 | $20 | -$6 |
Nationwide | $1,152 | $96 | $24 | -$2 |
Travelers | $1,176 | $98 | $25 | -$1 |
Progressive | $1,236 | $103 | $26 | $0 |
Why Is Seven-Day Car Insurance So Expensive?
Multiple factors drive up 7-day car insurance costs:
Cost Factor | Impact on One-Week Car Insurance |
|---|---|
Processing fees | Compressing fees into seven days nearly doubles daily expenses for temporary car insurance. With traditional policies, insurers spread processing costs over months. |
Cancellation penalties | Cancelation fees increase the cost of one-week car insurance. When you cancel a seven day car insurance policy, you are charged flat fees plus high prorated charges due to short timeframes. |
Limited competition | Few insurers offer flexible 1-week car insurance policies without cancellation fees, reducing competition and driving up costs |
Geographic factors | City dwellers buy weekly car insurance more often, disproportionately affecting costs. Also, urban areas have higher seven-day rates due to increased accidents and theft |
Vehicle type | Luxury and classic car owners purchase temporary one-week car insurance policies more frequently. High-value vehicles require higher premiums, with luxury cars often needing comprehensive coverage. |
One-Week Car Insurance Quotes
Comparing weekly car insurance rates from multiple companies gives you an idea of how much your one-week vehicle insurance policy might cost. When getting one-week car insurance quotes, be prepared to provide a driver's license, vehicle VIN, insurance history and immediate payment. The process takes 15 to 60 minutes.
For a quick one-week quote requiring minimal personal information, you can use MoneyGeek's short-term car insurance calculator below for estimated one-week car insurance rates:
Short-Term Car Insurance Calculator
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
$192
High
$139
Average
$87
Low
Rates updated:
Sep 15, 2025
| Insurance Carrier | MoneyGeek ScoreMG Score | Average Monthly Payment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Capital Insurance Group | 94 /of 100 | $87 |
| 2 |  GEICO | 82 /of 100 | $109 |
| 3 | 83 /of 100 | $118 | |
| 4 | 83 /of 100 | $129 | |
| 5 |  Progressive | 79 /of 100 | $133 |
| 6 | 77 /of 100 | $151 |
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Who Should Get One-Week Car Insurance?
One week car insurance works where traditional policies aren't suitable. Around 12% of American drivers seek temporary coverage each year, with demand for one-week car insurance increasing by 23% over the last three years.
Getting seven-day car insurance makes sense for people in any of these situations:
Driving occasionally
Short-term car insurance offers a smart financial option for those who drive infrequently. This is especially relevant for urban dwellers who rely on public transportation or other modes of travel. About 68% of drivers looking for temporary coverage fall into this category. Opting for a one-week policy allows these people to avoid high premiums associated with annual policies while maintaining necessary coverage.
Borrowing a car
Get one-week car insurance when driving a borrowed vehicle, consider the potential liability implications. Depending on state laws, drivers may face significant financial risks if an accident occurs while operating someone else's car.
Securing weekly car insurance covers the borrower without impacting the vehicle owner's insurance policy or increasing their premiums.
Don’t own a car and will rent one
If you have a clean driving record and a high deductible on your current policy, purchasing a short-term policy for one week of coverage is more budget-friendly than opting for rental car insurance.
Traveling out of state
While many personal auto insurance policies provide some coverage for out-of-state travel, varying insurance requirements across state lines can lead to complications. To avoid legal challenges, verify that your current policy meets the specific insurance mandates of the state you're visiting.
Transitioning between policies
Drivers between vehicles often need one-week car insurance to avoid coverage lapses. Lapses lead to $75-$100 penalties when activating new policies. Getting car insurance for one-week bridges this gap and ensures continuous financial protection.
Wanting to test drive a car
For those in the market for a new vehicle, extended test drives can often exceed dealership time limits. When examining cars from private sellers, obtaining independent car insurance coverage for one week becomes necessary, as their insurance may not allow others to drive their vehicles.
Foreign tourists
One-week car insurance coverage ensures international travelers navigating U.S. roads comply with mandatory insurance requirements. Legal treaties and insurance regulations generally require tourists to have short-term coverage, which can be obtained through U.S.-based insurance providers, rental company insurance or insurance benefits linked to credit cards.
Students and young adults
About 35% of people seeking one-week car insurance are students and young adults who need flexible financial solutions.
Students often require one-week car insurance when returning home for breaks or starting temporary jobs that require vehicle access.
Needing coverage for work
Short-term insurance policies have become increasingly popular among those engaged in rideshare driving, food delivery services and contract work. One-week policies provide additional financial protection during busy work periods, ensuring that gig workers have adequate insurance coverage without long-term commitments.
Classic or recreational vehicle owners
Seven-day insurance policies offer targeted coverage tailored to times when the owners of classic cars, motorcycles or ATVs actually use their vehicles. These prized vehicles are typically used only during specific seasons, special events or leisurely weekend rides, rather than as daily transportation.
ONE-WEEK COVERAGE VS. LONG-TERM COVERAGE
Insurers typically don’t offer one-week car insurance, so regular drivers should consider long-term policies for better affordability, customization and discounts. Occasional drivers might find short-term options like rental or non-owner insurance costlier per day but more cost-effective overall.
Downside to Buying One-Week Car Insurance
One-week car insurance coverage has drawbacks you need to know:
- 1
Hard to find
Most big insurance companies don't offer weekly policies. State rules require 30-day minimums, leaving you with smaller, less reliable companies for 7-day car insurance needs.
- 2
Expensive
Weekly car insurance costs $15 to $45 daily for short-term coverage compared to a standard policy that averages just $3 to $8 per day over a full year.
- 3
Limited financial protection
Short-term policies often have serious limitations. Some require 30-day waiting periods before claim filing, which doesn't help with immediate accidents.
One-week car insurance rates have higher deductibles (sometimes $1,000 or more) and you get only the minimum coverage your state requires, leaving big gaps in financial protection.
- 4
Risky coverage gaps
One-week car insurance policies that expire without renewal leave you driving illegally and facing fines, license suspension or vehicle impounding. Insurance companies penalize coverage gaps with higher rates when you apply for temporary car insurance later.
- 5
Scammers
Few legitimate companies offer one week car insurance, creating opportunities for scammers targeting desperate drivers. Red flags include companies without physical addresses, high-pressure sales tactics, or rates significantly below market prices for temporary car insurance.
How to Get Car Insurance for a Week: Bottom Line
One-week car insurance policies don't exist, but you've got other options for temporary short-term coverage. You can get rental car insurance, buy a temporary non-owner policy or add short-term coverage to an existing policy. Shop around and compare your options to find what one-week policy type works best for you.
One-Week Car Insurance: FAQ
Many drivers looking for short-term coverage wonder if one-week car insurance is possible. MoneyGeek answers common questions to help you find temporary coverage that fits your driving needs and budget.
How much does one-week car insurance cost?
The cheapest one-week car insurance companies are GEICO and Kemper. Both insurers offer competitive minimum coverage rates starting at about $17 per week. These companies don't charge cancellation fees, so you can cancel over the phone without adding additional costs to your one-week policy.
What is the shortest term for car insurance?
Most insurance companies offer policies with standard terms of six or 12 months. There's no such thing as official short-term car insurance, but you can use some workarounds to get temporary coverage.
Can I get one-day car insurance?
Major insurance companies don't sell one-day policies, but you have other short-term coverage options. You can get rental car insurance or rely on permissive use coverage if you need to drive for just a day.
Does one-week non-owner car insurance cover rental cars?
One-week non-owner car insurance usually covers rental cars since it follows you, not a specific car. Just double-check with your insurer that rental vehicles are included in your policy.
Will canceling car insurance after one week affect my rates?
One-week coverage periods can create gaps in your insurance history, hurting your future rates. Insurance companies like to see continuous coverage, so gaps could mean higher premiums when you shop for new insurance.
Can I get one-week coverage if I have a bad driving record?
You can get one-week car insurance coverage even with a bad driving record, but expect to pay more. Insurance companies offer options for high-risk drivers, but these policies cost more than what drivers with clean records pay..
Cheap One-Week Car Insurance: Our Review Methodology
Study Overview
MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance quotes based on a sample driver profile to establish national and state-specific averages. We focused on minimum insurance prices, the cost differences between minimum and full coverage, and the impact of at-fault accidents and speeding violations on overall rates.
Data Sources and Depth
We got our data from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services, analyzing 83,056 quotes from 46 insurance companies across 473 ZIP codes.
Driver Profile
To calculate the average annual cost of car insurance, we used a sample driver profile with these details: a 40-year-old male driver operating a Toyota Camry LE, maintaining a clean driving record and driving an estimated 12,000 miles annually. We adjusted geographic location, coverage type and coverage amount to provide accurate insurance cost estimates nationwide.
Coverage Levels and Deductibles Explained
Minimum coverage policies don't include a deductible, while full coverage — which includes comprehensive and collision insurance — comes with a deductible for each coverage type. This deductible, which can vary or be the same for both types, represents the out-of-pocket cost you're responsible for before your insurance company handles repair or replacement claims.
Full coverage offers the best financial protection because it covers damage and injuries to other parties and damage to one's own vehicle.
Liability limits are defined as follows:
- 100/300/100: $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability per accident
- 50/100/50: $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident and $50,000 in property damage liability per accident
For national averages, we used a full coverage policy with 100/300/100 liability limits, along with a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
We used a full coverage policy for state-specific quotes, with 50/100/50 liability limits and the same $1,000 deductible for both types.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.