Updated: February 10, 2026
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One-day car insurance doesn't exist as a product you can buy from major insurers, but you can effectively get coverage for a day with the strategies below.
Your real options include buying a six-month policy and canceling early, getting added to someone else's policy, purchasing non-owner insurance, or buying daily rental car insurance. The right choice depends on your specific situation.
Most options cost between $0 and $50 for one day of coverage. If you're borrowing a friend's car, you may not need anything extra. If you're renting, daily coverage runs $15 to $30.
One-day car insurance, also called daily car insurance, refers to temporary auto coverage lasting 24 hours or a few days. You can't buy a one day policy, but you can get coverage for one day.
Your one-day car insurance options depend on your specific situation. Whether you're borrowing a car, renting a vehicle, test driving, or need proof of insurance, here's how to get one-day coverage for your needs:
Buying a standard car insurance policy and canceling it early is a common solution for one-day coverage. Some car insurance companies charge cancellation fees, making your premium more expensive.
Request a quote and clarify any fees before making a purchase. Many insurers offer same-day car insurance, which starts immediately. Some even provide no-down-payment options, requiring only the first month's premium to activate coverage.
If you don't drive often, pay-per-mile insurance is a more cost-effective choice than one-day coverage.
If you'll be driving a friend or family member's car for a few days, ask the owner to add you as a temporary driver. This costs little to nothing and takes minutes. Call their insurance company and request a temporary addition. Some insurers allow this for two to seven days at no extra charge. You'll be fully covered under their policy, and you can be removed just as quickly.
Non-owner insurance is your solution. This policy covers you as a driver on any car you borrow or rent, providing proof of insurance for licensing or legal requirements. You can't buy it for just one day; policies are sold in six-month or annual terms. Many people use non-owner coverage for a year then cancel.
You likely don't need separate insurance. The car owner's policy covers you through their permissive use clause, which automatically extends coverage to drivers the owner allows. This includes temporary borrowing for errands, short trips, or casual driving.
Rental companies offer daily insurance coverage you can add when you pick up the vehicle. This costs $15 to $30 per day depending on coverage level. Your credit card may also provide rental coverage if you use it to pay, so check before buying.
Check with the dealership first. Most dealers include temporary coverage in their test drive policies at no extra cost. If they don't, ask about adding one-day coverage.
If you need car insurance coverage for shorter periods of time, see these guides for how to get short term coverage at low rates.
If you buy a standard six-month policy and cancel after one day, you'll get a refund for the unused months. Here's how it works.
Most insurers refund your unused premium minus a cancellation fee when you cancel early. If you purchase a six-month policy for $600 and cancel after one day, you'd get back roughly $575 (subtracting the $25 cancellation fee). You won't lose the entire premium. The refund takes one to two weeks to process. Some insurers offer immediate refunds if you cancel online, while others mail a check.
Cancellation fees for early termination range from $0 to $50 depending on your insurer. State Farm and GEICO often charge $25 to $50. Some smaller insurers or online companies charge nothing. If you're buying a six-month policy just to drive for a few days, choose an insurer with low or zero cancellation fees. Call and ask directly: "What's your cancellation fee if I cancel in one week?"
If you buy a six-month policy at $600 with a $25 cancellation fee, you'll owe the first month's premium ($100) and the cancellation fee ($125 total). You'll receive a refund of approximately $475 within one to two weeks. Some people keep the policy longer to make the upfront cost worthwhile. If you need coverage for two to three weeks, the math improves.
Major insurance companies require minimum policy terms of six months or one year. This protects them by reducing fraud risk and keeping administrative costs down. One-day policies would be expensive to process and harder to verify, making them unprofitable.
Some online companies advertise one-day or weekly coverage in the US. Be cautious with these options. Many don't have reliable coverage, operate in legal gray areas, or provide insufficient financial protection. Stick with established insurers and the legitimate options outlined above.
We answer common questions about one-day car insurance and temporary coverage options:
No. Major insurers don't offer one-day policies. If a company claims to sell them, research carefully before purchasing.
Check if you're covered under someone else's policy through permissive use. If renting, buy daily rental coverage. If borrowing frequently, get non-owner insurance. If you own the car but want temporary coverage, buy a standard policy and cancel early.
Same-day coverage is available from most insurers online. You'll need your driver's license, vehicle information, and a payment method. Approval usually takes minutes to a few hours.
Yes, but watch for cancellation fees. Compare policies to find insurers with low or zero cancellation fees if you plan to cancel early. You won't be refunded for unused time after the first month's charge applies.
For temporary borrowing, yes. The car owner's policy covers anyone they authorize to drive. If you'll be driving the car regularly, you should be added as a named driver instead.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
