Updated: May 20, 2024
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There are several reasons a driver might need car insurance for only one day. However, remember that car insurance companies don’t typically offer this product. If you encounter a provider that says they do, be wary: it may be an insurance scam. MoneyGeek explored several other temporary car insurance options to consider instead of one-day car insurance.
One-day car insurance is not a real insurance product. If you’re looking for a legitimate policy that only provides coverage good for 24 hours, you won't find it. Be wary of providers claiming they can do that. Major car insurance companies usually offer policies providing six months of coverage at a minimum.
If you’re borrowing someone else’s car, purchasing a separate policy may not be necessary. Your friend’s insurance may cover you if they give you permission to drive their vehicle. If buying insurance is still your best option, you may want to opt for rental insurance or mileage-based coverage instead. You can also consider getting a standard policy that you can buy online and cancel early. Regardless of your choice, it's best to review which is the cheapest car insurance provider that will best suite your needs.
Watch out for providers selling one-day car insurance. Most insurers don’t offer policies shorter than six months. You may fall victim to an insurance scam if you’re not careful.
If you’re wondering how to get car insurance for one day, the short answer is you can’t. However, there are creative ways to get temporary coverage. You can sign up for a standard policy and cancel it early or obtain rental or usage-based insurance. Insurers can recommend various approaches, depending on your particular needs.
One-day car insurance isn't an available insurance product. However, there are several reasons you might want to get temporary car insurance, like when you’re borrowing someone else’s car for a day or driving a rental. In some cases, you may need to present proof of insurance even if you don’t own a car. MoneyGeek outlined some of the most common situations where you could benefit from temporary coverage.
You need to use someone else’s car for an errand.
You probably don’t need to buy one-day car insurance if you’re using someone’s car to run errands. Most policies have a permissive clause, meaning the owner’s coverage extends to you as long as they permit you to drive the vehicle.
You’re renting a car for a short time.
It’s convenient to be able to drive while on a trip. Rental insurance is an excellent choice in this case. You can buy rental insurance from the car rental agent when you pick up your vehicle or call your insurance provider to find out if they offer a better deal on coverage. Another option is to contact your credit card issuer, as many of them also offer rental insurance if you pay for your rental using your card.
You don’t have a car, but you need to show proof of insurance.
Purchasing car insurance when you don’t own a vehicle may not seem logical. If you need proof of financial responsibility, consider non-owner car insurance. This type of policy provides liability coverage at cheaper rates than standard auto insurance.
Car insurers don’t offer temporary car insurance, so you’ll have to get creative if you only need coverage for one day, one week or even a month. Your car insurance company can offer several options for short-time coverage. A popular approach is signing up for a six-month policy and canceling it early. You can also consider non-traditional policies, which may be the cheapest temporary car insurance alternative.
Additionally, insurance providers usually offer a same-day auto insurance coverage that will go into effect almost immediately. Some even offer a no-down payment scheme wherein you're only required to pay the first month’s premium to activate coverage.
MoneyGeek outlined six temporary avenues for temporary coverage below.
Purchasing a standard car insurance policy and canceling it before its term ends is a popular option. No matter how brief your coverage needs are, you’ll have to pay at least one month's premium. You can usually get a refund of the unused amount, but your insurer may charge cancellation fees. The best option is to ask for a quote before you make the purchase.
If you share your car with someone who lives with you, you can add them to your insurance policy. Your insurance will cover them should they get into an accident while driving your vehicle.
Non-owner insurance is a good option if you need to show proof of insurance but don’t own a car. It provides liability coverage, which protects you from the cost of repairs or medical bills after a crash. This type of policy is more affordable than standard auto insurance.
If you don’t drive regularly, usage-based insurance might be your best option. As the name implies, your premium is calculated based on your mileage. You can check with your insurer to ask if they offer pay-per-mile coverage.
Rental insurance is best for drivers who need to rent a car. You can get this from the car rental agent, your regular insurance carrier or possibly your credit card company.
If you work for a rideshare company and have car insurance, this doesn’t mean you’re always covered. Typically, a standard policy’s coverage stops when you have a customer. Rideshare insurance ensures you’re still protected while on a trip.
If you’re leaning towards purchasing a standard car insurance policy and terminating it early, try to find an insurer that doesn’t charge a cancellation fee. This way, you’ll get a full refund for your unused premiums.
Gathering estimates is a great way to determine which company offers the cheapest temporary car insurance for you. You can use the table to see the average cost for one- and three-month coverage for all states and the District of Columbia.
State | 3 Month Premium | 1 Month Premium |
|---|---|---|
$305 | $102 | |
$246 | $82 | |
$321 | $107 | |
$297 | $99 | |
$357 | $119 | |
$362 | $121 | |
$360 | $120 | |
$371 | $124 | |
$552 | $184 | |
$410 | $137 | |
$267 | $89 | |
$186 | $62 | |
$284 | $95 | |
$181 | $60 | |
$195 | $65 | |
$233 | $78 | |
$351 | $117 | |
$760 | $253 | |
$152 | $51 | |
$532 | $177 | |
$278 | $93 | |
$1,083 | $361 | |
$300 | $100 | |
$278 | $93 | |
$326 | $109 | |
$304 | $101 | |
$231 | $77 | |
$475 | $158 | |
$195 | $65 | |
$418 | $139 | |
$283 | $94 | |
$858 | $286 | |
$210 | $70 | |
$186 | $62 | |
$201 | $67 | |
$325 | $108 | |
$295 | $98 | |
$454 | $151 | |
$455 | $152 | |
$285 | $95 | |
$204 | $68 | |
$255 | $85 | |
$329 | $110 | |
$289 | $96 | |
$203 | $68 | |
$198 | $66 | |
$316 | $105 | |
Washington D.C. | $301 | $100 |
$254 | $85 | |
$233 | $78 | |
$213 | $71 |
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
