How to Get One-Week Car Insurance


Updated: July 31, 2024

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Major insurance companies typically only sell six-month or 12-month term policies, but there are clever ways to get around this. Canceling early, getting coverage from a rental car company or driving someone else’s car under permissive use can get you the coverage you need.

Key Takeaways

People borrowing vehicles, test-driving, using cars short-term, navigating insurance gaps or hosting visitors needing to drive are likely looking for a one-week car insurance solution.

Most car insurance companies do not offer short term car insurance, typically offering six or 12-month policies.

Ads offering single-day or one-week car insurance are often untrustworthy and could be luring you into a scam.

MoneyGeek uses the data we examine from hundreds of car insurance companies to analyze car insurance rates. The following independent agencies and reputable authorities provide us with data:

  • AM Best: This company provides insurance companies with credit ratings and data analytics.
  • J.D. Power: This firm specializes in insurance industry research, analytics and rankings.
  • National Association of Insurance Commissioners: The NAIC serves as a regulator that protects consumer interests. Its key function is to provide data and analysis of insurance providers so consumers can make informed decisions.
  • Quadrant Information Services: This industry leader offers car insurance pricing analytics and other services based on accurate comparative data.

Here at MoneyGeek, we aim to make our editorial standards and policies as straightforward as possible for readers. We ensure that our writers cover topics that our readers find useful by researching them and answering frequently asked questions. For accuracy, the editorial team conducts research, edits, fact-checks and reviews each article at every step of the editorial process.

Can You Buy One-Week Car Insurance?

Short-term car insurance, also called temporary car insurance, is not a standard insurance product. Generally, insurers offer insurance policies with six- or 12-month-long terms.

You may find ads for car insurance policies as short as one day, one week or a month. Do your research when buying insurance, even if you will only be using it temporarily. You may get stuck with iffy coverage and poor customer service.

However, there are unconventional ways you can get temporary car insurance.

How Much Does It Cost to Get One-Week Car Insurance?

State Farm charges $9 per week for liability-only coverage, while it offers a full coverage policy for $18 per week. It doesn’t charge a cancellation fee and offers many discounts to help you save.

Take note that if you buy car insurance, you’re usually required to pay for your first month before your policy is activated. If you only need insurance for a week, you’re free to cancel your policy as soon as you’re done driving.

Below, compare the cost of one-week car insurance by state against monthly rates. Use the dropdown to filter by age range and desired coverage level.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Options:
Coverage Options:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
State FarmWeekly Premium$18Monthly Premium$74Annual Premium$883
NationwideWeekly Premium$19Monthly Premium$78Annual Premium$930
GEICOWeekly Premium$19Monthly Premium$78Annual Premium$936
TravelersWeekly Premium$22Monthly Premium$86Annual Premium$1,037
ProgressiveWeekly Premium$23Monthly Premium$93Annual Premium$1,120
AllstateWeekly Premium$23Monthly Premium$94Annual Premium$1,124
FarmersWeekly Premium$25Monthly Premium$99Annual Premium$1,192

Whether you're borrowing someone else's car, renting a car for a week, traveling to a different state or temporarily relocating, you'll want to ensure you're adequately covered for that duration.

You'll find a comparison of one-week car insurance costs by state, alongside monthly and semi-annual rates below, where you'll find the cheapest company available for each state. Utilize the dropdown menu to narrow down results by age group and preferred coverage level.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Options:
Coverage Options:Full Coverage
AlabamaCompanyNationwideWeekly Premium$15Monthly Premium$593 Month Premium$1776 Month Premium$355Annual Premium$709
AlaskaCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$15Monthly Premium$583 Month Premium$1756 Month Premium$350Annual Premium$699
ArizonaCompanyRoot Insurance CompanyWeekly Premium$14Monthly Premium$573 Month Premium$1716 Month Premium$341Annual Premium$682
ArkansasCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$13Monthly Premium$523 Month Premium$1576 Month Premium$315Annual Premium$629
CaliforniaCompanyAAA CaliforniaWeekly Premium$21Monthly Premium$833 Month Premium$2506 Month Premium$500Annual Premium$1001
ColoradoCompanyAmerican National P&CWeekly Premium$11Monthly Premium$453 Month Premium$1356 Month Premium$270Annual Premium$541
ConnecticutCompanyGEICOWeekly Premium$14Monthly Premium$583 Month Premium$1736 Month Premium$346Annual Premium$693
DelawareCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$18Monthly Premium$733 Month Premium$2206 Month Premium$440Annual Premium$881
District of ColumbiaCompanyGEICOWeekly Premium$14Monthly Premium$553 Month Premium$1666 Month Premium$331Annual Premium$662
FloridaCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$22Monthly Premium$883 Month Premium$2656 Month Premium$529Annual Premium$1058
GeorgiaCompanyCountry FinancialWeekly Premium$14Monthly Premium$553 Month Premium$1666 Month Premium$332Annual Premium$665
HawaiiCompanyGEICOWeekly Premium$12Monthly Premium$473 Month Premium$1416 Month Premium$282Annual Premium$565
IdahoCompanyAmerican National P&CWeekly Premium$6Monthly Premium$253 Month Premium$756 Month Premium$150Annual Premium$299
IllinoisCompanyCountry FinancialWeekly Premium$14Monthly Premium$553 Month Premium$1666 Month Premium$331Annual Premium$663
IndianaCompanyAmerican FamilyWeekly Premium$12Monthly Premium$463 Month Premium$1396 Month Premium$278Annual Premium$555
IowaCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$11Monthly Premium$423 Month Premium$1276 Month Premium$255Annual Premium$509
KansasCompanyNationwideWeekly Premium$14Monthly Premium$563 Month Premium$1676 Month Premium$335Annual Premium$670
KentuckyCompanyNationwideWeekly Premium$16Monthly Premium$663 Month Premium$1986 Month Premium$395Annual Premium$790
LouisianaCompanyLouisiana Farm BureauWeekly Premium$22Monthly Premium$873 Month Premium$2626 Month Premium$524Annual Premium$1048
MaineCompanyConcord GroupWeekly Premium$11Monthly Premium$433 Month Premium$1306 Month Premium$260Annual Premium$521
MarylandCompanyProgressiveWeekly Premium$20Monthly Premium$783 Month Premium$2356 Month Premium$469Annual Premium$938
MassachusettsCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$10Monthly Premium$403 Month Premium$1216 Month Premium$242Annual Premium$483
MichiganCompanyGEICOWeekly Premium$19Monthly Premium$753 Month Premium$2256 Month Premium$449Annual Premium$898
MinnesotaCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$17Monthly Premium$663 Month Premium$1996 Month Premium$398Annual Premium$797
MississippiCompanyDirect General InsuranceWeekly Premium$15Monthly Premium$603 Month Premium$1816 Month Premium$362Annual Premium$723
MissouriCompanyNationwideWeekly Premium$19Monthly Premium$763 Month Premium$2276 Month Premium$455Annual Premium$909
MontanaCompanyProgressiveWeekly Premium$9Monthly Premium$363 Month Premium$1096 Month Premium$219Annual Premium$437
NebraskaCompanyAmerican National P&CWeekly Premium$8Monthly Premium$343 Month Premium$1016 Month Premium$202Annual Premium$405
NevadaCompanyCSAAWeekly Premium$20Monthly Premium$783 Month Premium$2356 Month Premium$470Annual Premium$940
New HampshireCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$11Monthly Premium$453 Month Premium$1356 Month Premium$270Annual Premium$540
New JerseyCompanyPlymouth Rock AssuranceWeekly Premium$19Monthly Premium$753 Month Premium$2246 Month Premium$448Annual Premium$895
New MexicoCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$13Monthly Premium$543 Month Premium$1616 Month Premium$322Annual Premium$644
New YorkCompanyKemperWeekly Premium$16Monthly Premium$653 Month Premium$1956 Month Premium$391Annual Premium$781
North CarolinaCompanyErieWeekly Premium$13Monthly Premium$523 Month Premium$1576 Month Premium$315Annual Premium$630
North DakotaCompanyAmerican FamilyWeekly Premium$13Monthly Premium$513 Month Premium$1546 Month Premium$308Annual Premium$616
OhioCompanyNationwideWeekly Premium$10Monthly Premium$403 Month Premium$1216 Month Premium$242Annual Premium$485
OklahomaCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$14Monthly Premium$553 Month Premium$1656 Month Premium$331Annual Premium$662
OregonCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$15Monthly Premium$593 Month Premium$1766 Month Premium$353Annual Premium$706
PennsylvaniaCompanyNationwideWeekly Premium$12Monthly Premium$483 Month Premium$1456 Month Premium$290Annual Premium$580
Rhode IslandCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$15Monthly Premium$583 Month Premium$1756 Month Premium$350Annual Premium$700
South CarolinaCompanyAmerican National P&CWeekly Premium$10Monthly Premium$393 Month Premium$1166 Month Premium$232Annual Premium$463
South DakotaCompanyAllstateWeekly Premium$16Monthly Premium$623 Month Premium$1876 Month Premium$373Annual Premium$746
TennesseeCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$12Monthly Premium$483 Month Premium$1456 Month Premium$290Annual Premium$579
TexasCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$15Monthly Premium$583 Month Premium$1756 Month Premium$349Annual Premium$699
UtahCompanyNationwideWeekly Premium$15Monthly Premium$603 Month Premium$1816 Month Premium$362Annual Premium$725
VermontCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$10Monthly Premium$413 Month Premium$1236 Month Premium$246Annual Premium$493
VirginiaCompanyAmerican FamilyWeekly Premium$13Monthly Premium$503 Month Premium$1506 Month Premium$300Annual Premium$601
WashingtonCompanyPEMCOWeekly Premium$11Monthly Premium$443 Month Premium$1336 Month Premium$267Annual Premium$534
West VirginiaCompanyErieWeekly Premium$16Monthly Premium$653 Month Premium$1966 Month Premium$392Annual Premium$784
WisconsinCompanyGEICOWeekly Premium$12Monthly Premium$463 Month Premium$1396 Month Premium$278Annual Premium$556
WyomingCompanyState FarmWeekly Premium$16Monthly Premium$623 Month Premium$1866 Month Premium$373Annual Premium$745

Downside to Getting Short-Term Car Insurance

Insurers favor long-term customers since short-term ones might not cover administrative costs with their premiums.

While you might be free to cancel, whether you get a refund for the unused portion of your premium can vary based on the insurer's policies and potentially any state-specific regulations.

Most car insurance policies have a waiting period of at least 30 days before you can make a claim. This means that you will not be able to file a claim for damage to your car that occurs within the first 30 days of your policy being in effect.

Read your policy carefully before you decide if short-term car insurance is right for you.

Canceling your policy and going without coverage can lead to a lapse in coverage. You also won’t be able to drive legally unless you drive with permissive use or get car insurance from a rental car company.

How to Get One-Week Car Insurance

You can get one-week car insurance by purchasing a policy and canceling it early or getting car insurance from your rental car company.

In some cases, you may get automatic coverage by driving under permissive use.

More temporary car insurance hacks include:

Non-Owner Car Insurance

Non-owner car insurance is designed for people who don’t own cars but are licensed drivers.

Non-owner car insurance caters to those who drive occasionally, perhaps borrowing or renting cars. It's often a more budget-friendly option than conventional car insurance. The main focus of this insurance is liability. This means it covers expenses if you're at fault in an accident and cause bodily harm or property damage. In contrast, regular car insurance extends its coverage umbrella to include both comprehensive and collision options. The duration for both types of policies tends to be either six or 12 months.

MoneyGeek found that the average yearly cost for non-owner car insurance stands at $448. In comparison, a traditional policy with equivalent coverage is slightly more expensive at $490 annually.

Get on an Existing Car Insurance Policy

Thinking of using your roommate's car for a week? You can join their insurance for a short time. Just make sure you use the car for personal tasks. If it's for business, it's more complicated and will require business car insurance to cover extra drivers who don't live with the policy owner.

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CAN I ADD MY TEEN DRIVER TO MY POLICY?

Yes — granted that your teen will be living with you for the duration of the policy.

If your teen driver does not have their own policy and only drives when they’re home on breaks from school, you can still add them to your policy. Some providers also offer distant student discounts for this scenario. However, expect a premium hike that usually comes along with adding a young driver to your insurance. If your teen driver has a car, drives regularly and lives away from home, they should get their own policy.

Drive With a Policyholder’s Permissive Use

Permissive use is a special provision that lets someone not named on your policy drive your car and still be safeguarded by your insurance. Think of it as an "unlisted driver" benefit.

Here's how it works:

  • Getting Permission: You should obtain the car owner's consent to use their vehicle. This consent can be verbal or written.
  • Usage Limits: Permissive use generally means occasional driving. For instance, if a friend borrows your car once a month, they're typically covered. But if, say, a family member uses your car daily after moving out, that might not qualify.
  • Accidents and Coverage: If an accident happens while a permissive user is behind the wheel, your insurance usually steps in, but always consult your policy specifics to confirm.
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CAN I ADD A TEMPORARY DRIVER TO MY INSURANCE?

Yes, you can add a temporary driver to your car insurance policy. This is sometimes known as named driver insurance or additional driver insurance.

To add a temporary driver, you will need to contact your insurance company and provide them with the driver's:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Driver's license information
  • Specific duration for which you need coverage

However, note that to add any driver to your insurance, the additional insured must be living with you.

Get Rental Car Insurance

If you're thinking of renting a car for the weekend, many rental agencies offer weekend car insurance as an add-on. While this is a convenient option, MoneyGeek's research suggests it's often pricier than policies from independent insurers.

The term of these weekend car insurance offerings from rental companies typically aligns with your rental duration. Whether you opt for a basic or extended plan, ensure that it suits your needs and offers value for your money.

Buy a Traditional Policy and Cancel Early

Purchase the shortest term — typically six months — and choose to pay monthly. After a month or once you’re done driving, call your insurance provider to cancel your policy. You've only paid for one month, so there's no refund wait. However, be careful to choose an insurance company that does not charge a cancellation fee.

Who Should Get One-Week Car Insurance

People who only drive occasionally, drivers in between cars or policies or people renting cars are great candidates for short term car insurance.

    lightbulb icon

    You only drive occasionally

    If you're not frequently behind the wheel, why pay a full year's insurance? Short-term car insurance might offer better value.

    carAccident icon

    You’re borrowing someone else’s car

    While borrowing a vehicle, it's wise — and often required — for you to have insurance coverage. However, in many cases, it's the car owner's insurance that will primarily be used in the event of an incident.

    carInsurance icon

    You don’t own a car and will be renting one

    Rental companies mandate insurance. While some offer it, it's not always the best deal. With a clean driving record and a significant deductible on your own policy, getting your own coverage might be more economical. However, if your past driving history isn't stellar, consider opting for the company's offer.

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    You have car insurance but are traveling to a different state

    Spending a week in another state? Your current policy likely covers out-of-state trips. But, since insurance requirements differ across states, ensure your coverage meets the destination state's requirements. For instance, a wintry state may necessitate collision coverage, while a higher-risk city could call for comprehensive coverage.

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    You’re currently in between cars

    Even if your old vehicle isn't in use, maintaining insurance may be legally required if it's still registered. Be wary of potential insurance lapses that could affect your registration.

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    You want to test drive a car

    If you're considering purchasing a car from a private seller and their insurance lacks a permissive use clause, you'll need to secure coverage for the test drive. And, if you're planning on a purchase, you can seamlessly transfer your new insurance to your new vehicle.

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    You are in between car insurance policies

    Did you accidentally create a gap between your old and new policies? Short-term insurance can bridge this, ensuring continuous coverage.

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    You’re a foreign tourist on vacation in the U.S.

    Tourists must also adhere to insurance requirements before driving U.S. As a foreign visitor, your options include:

    • Obtaining insurance from a U.S.-based provider
    • Opting for rental company insurance
    • Leveraging your credit card's rental car insurance perks

    Always keep your insurance card handy — accidents are unpredictable, and it's essential to provide evidence of insurance if needed.

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WHAT IS INTERSTATE COVERAGE?

Interstate coverage refers to car insurance policies that ensure you're protected while driving across various states. While a majority of policies naturally cover this, it's always a wise move to verify with your insurer.

When you're setting up your car insurance, the insurer will inquire about your driving patterns, specifically where you anticipate driving. This assists them in tailoring the coverage to your needs. If your drives are restricted to your home state, the need for interstate coverage might be minimal. But if cross-state trips are in your plans, ensuring that your policy has interstate coverage is important.

Remember, driving without insurance is illegal. Even if you plan to hit the road later rather than sooner, it's good to note that any gap in your insurance can lead to heftier premiums in the future.

Evaluate how much coverage aligns with your needs, even for short-term requirements like a week. Factors to consider include:

  • Will you be driving in areas known for higher crime rates?
  • Might you encounter challenging weather conditions?
  • Are you driving a luxury or high-value vehicle?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, MoneyGeek advises considering both collision and comprehensive insurance. While collision insurance covers costs stemming from damages due to collisions with other cars or objects, comprehensive insurance offers financial protection for situations like theft, vandalism or nature-induced damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many drivers who need short-term coverage may wonder if purchasing one-week car insurance is possible. MoneyGeek answered common questions to help you find temporary coverage solutions for your unique driving needs and financial situation.

What is the shortest term for car insurance?
How much does one-week car insurance cost?
Do I need to get my own insurance if I’m borrowing someone’s car?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He 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.