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There are several reasons you may need same-day car insurance. You could be buying your first car and need to meet the minimum car insurance requirements in your state. Or maybe your current car insurance policy is expiring, and you need same-day coverage so your coverage doesn’t lapse.

With online quote options, it's easier than ever to get a car insurance quote instantly for same-day coverage as long as you have the required personal information ready. MoneyGeek identified the best insurers with online tools to help you get a quote and proof of insurance immediately. We also analyzed the cheapest companies that can offer you same-day coverage. However, if you can plan to purchase car insurance in advance, you may be able to find cheaper car insurance rates with more discounts.

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Key Takeaways

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Most insurance companies offer online quotes that are close to final, so you can get car insurance in a matter of minutes or hours.

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If you're looking for cheap instant car insurance, it's worth taking some extra time to compare multiple quotes.

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If you can avoid it, don't get car insurance the same day you need it. Buying in advance can help you save money and figure out which company is the best fit for you.


Major Insurers that Offer Instant Car Insurance Quotes

MoneyGeek found that 11 out of 12 of the largest insurance companies in the country (based on market share) offer options to get online quotes — the fastest way to get instant same-day car insurance. Car insurance usually goes into effect immediately after you purchase insurance, but you may need to speak with an agent of the company to finalize your policy.

Some insurance agents may require additional information than what is asked for in the online quote process, so it's best to have all the necessary information ready to streamline the process while speaking with an agent.

Major Insurance Companies Offering Same-Day Car Insurance
Insurer
Offers Online Quote
Average Quote

State Farm

Yes

$1,235

GEICO

Yes

$1,047

Progressive

Yes

$1,381

Allstate

Yes

$1,351

USAA

Yes

$883

Farmers

Yes

$1,066

Nationwide

Yes

$1,341

American Family

Yes

$1,066

Auto-Owners, doesn't offer online quote tools but utilizes independent agents in participating states to provide quotes. Some Auto-Owners customers may be able to get same-day insurance or within 24 hours of a request being made with an agent.

All quotes provided on this page are for a full coverage car insurance policy with limits of $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury and $100,000 per accident for property damage. If you have a valuable car or you've leased or financed your car purchase, you may need to purchase a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision insurance.

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GET SAME-DAY CAR INSURANCE THAT FITS YOUR NEEDS

Just because you need car insurance fast doesn't mean you can't find a company that fits your situation. MoneyGeek has the resources you need:

If you need car insurance for a short-period of time, you should know that there's technically no such thing as a car insurance policy shorter than six months, but you do have options.

Insurance Rates

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Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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Get Cheap Car Insurance Instantly in Your State

Even if you need car insurance with same-day coverage, you should still be able to get an auto insurance policy that’s affordable. The cheapest car insurance companies nationally include some of the biggest names like GEICO and State Farm, and these companies have online quote tools to help you get same-day coverage.

But the cheapest options for car insurance depend greatly on where you live. The table below details the average cost of same-day car insurance by state. Click on your state to learn more about the cheapest insurers in your area.

The Average Cost of Same-Day Car Insurance by State
State
Average Annual Cost

Alabama

$1,221

Alaska

$984

Arizona

$1,284

Arkansas

$1,189

California

$1,429

Colorado

$1,450

Connecticut

$1,442

Delaware

$1,483

Insurance Rates

Compare Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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LOOKING FOR AN INSTANT QUOTE BUT NOT INSTANT COVERAGE?

If you want an instant quote estimate but aren't necessarily interesting in buying coverage today, use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator. It can help you get an accurate quote without entering specific personal information, so you won't have to worry about phone calls and emails.

What Do I Need to Get Same-Day Insurance?

The key to getting car insurance instantly is to have the right information available before you start an online quote. You should already know most of the information, like your address, age, marital, and employment status. The rest of the needed information is more specific, including:

  • Your driving record: Gather information with dates for violations and type of claim for accidents in recent years.
  • Other driver information: If there are other drivers in the household, you’ll need their info too.
  • Your insurance history: What company is it? What type of coverage limits do you have? And how long have you been insured? If you have been with the car insurance company for a year or less, you may need the previous company’s information.
  • Vehicle information: Make, model, year, annual mileage, current vehicle mileage and specific safety features available (daytime running lights, anti-lock brakes, factory-installed accident sensors, theft recovery devices, etc.).
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Do you know how much car insurance you need? First-time car buyers have several options on how much liability insurance to buy and whether to add comprehensive, collision and other coverages. Most insurance experts advise purchasing as much liability insurance as you can afford. MoneyGeek recommends newer car drivers choose full coverage to protect their finances and their vehicle.

How to Get Same-Day Insurance

If time is of the essence and you need same-day car insurance to avoid a costly lapse in policy, or you purchased a new car and need coverage to legally drive, you may not have the flexibility to comparison shop for the best rate. But don't worry, most providers offer six-month policies.

Signing up for a six-month policy allows you to get the same-day insurance you need now and gives you a trial run for the provider. Once you near the term of your six-month policy, you can compare quotes in greater detail for discounts, affordability, or to find the insurer with the best customer service.

1

Gather Your Personal Information

Some car insurance providers offer a fully online experience, while others may need you to speak with an agent to formalize your policy. It's best to have all of your information prepared before seeking quotes to ensure the entire process goes as quickly as possible.

2

Choose Your Coverage and Provider

Decide the type of policy and coverage that is the best option for you. Getting the best and cheapest rate for the coverage you need will usually require some car insurance comparison shopping. We typically recommend comparing at least three provider quotes. But, if you don't have time, use our cheapest car insurance resources to help you quickly find the most affordable providers to choose from.

3

Get Car Insurance Quotes and Purchase a Policy

Use our calculator below to review, compare, and get personalized quotes as fast as possible for same-day insurance. You can also visit a provider's website to use their online tools to get instant quotes to make a purchase.

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When Drivers Can’t Get Same-Day Car Insurance

Not all drivers will qualify for immediate same-day car insurance coverage. There are three scenarios where a driver may not be able to get an online quote instantly:

  • Missing information noted above that prevents the driver from getting a quote.
  • Owning or purchasing a rare vehicle that requires specialty collector car insurance coverage.
  • Having a high-risk driving history, with multiple serious convictions like DUIs or driving with a revoked or suspended license.

In the last situation, car insurance companies may not cover you now or at all. These high-risk drivers should contact their state’s Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office, which helps drivers who can’t find car insurance.

When Drivers Shouldn’t Get Same-Day Car Insurance

Ideally, you should always buy car insurance in advance rather than on the same day you need it because it can help save you money and give you more time to explore your options. Even those who don't have their car yet should get car insurance before buying a car.

Buying in advance will entitle you to advanced quote discounts, and it will also allow you to contact an agent and make sure all available discounts are applied to your policy, not just the ones listed on the company's online quote tool.

For instance, if you plan which insurance companies you are going to shop with ahead of time, you can combine it with your home insurance to get a home and auto bundle discount, one of the best ways to save.

Buying car insurance in advance is also less risky. A lapse in car insurance coverage could increase your car insurance rates by hundreds of dollars per year, even if the lapse is only a few days. Planning ahead to make sure you have secured continuous coverage will help you avoid such penalties.

Reasons to Buy Car Insurance in Advance

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With many insurance companies, buying a car insurance policy at least seven days before the needed effective date entitles you to an advanced quote discount.

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Not all online quote tools offering same-day coverage and proof of insurance show all possible discounts, which means you could be missing out on potential savings.

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An online car insurance policy might not include all available coverages like pay-per-mile insurance, which may be a good choice for low-mileage drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Same-Day Car Insurance

If you still have questions about buying car insurance today, check out answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.

Expert Advice: Same-Day Car Insurance

  1. Can you get a car insurance policy that takes effect on the same day you buy it?
  2. How long does it usually take to get a final car insurance quote?
  3. Should I buy car insurance in advance of my current policy expiring or the same day?
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About Mandy Sleight, Licensed Insurance Agent


Mandy Sleight, Licensed Insurance Agent headshot

Mandy Sleight is a licensed insurance agent and has worked in the industry since 2005. She has her property, casualty, life and health licenses. Mandy has worked for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance, and most recently as the Operations Coordinator for a startup employee benefits company.

Mandy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Baltimore and her Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. She uses her vast knowledge of the insurance industry and personal finance combined with her writing background to create easy-to-understand and engaging content to help readers make smarter choices with their budgets and finances.