Updated: July 7, 2025
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Most insurers don’t offer true short-term policies. Buying a six-month policy and canceling early is the most practical workaround.
The average cost of a three-month car insurance policy in New Jersey is approximately $321 for minimum coverage and $540 for full coverage. Canceling early adjusts costs based on your coverage period.
If you need temporary coverage in New Jersey but don’t own a car, non-owner car insurance can offer a flexible and convenient solution. If you rent a car, rental insurance can be another option.
Shopping for temporary car insurance in New Jersey can feel frustrating since most major insurers don't offer true short-term policies. Here's how to work around this limitation.
If you own a car, you can buy a standard car insurance policy and cancel it early once you no longer need it. If you don’t own a car, options like non-owner or rental car insurance can provide the short-term protection you need.
If you're focused on finding the most affordable option, MoneyGeek analyzed rates for one-, three- and six-month car insurance policies in New Jersey. Plymouth Rock insurance offers the lowest average price for a 90-day policy at $201.
Our estimates assume you purchase a standard car insurance policy and cancel it early. Most insurers don’t charge cancellation fees and will likely refund any unused premium. You can see a breakdown of temporary coverage rates by insurer in the table below.
| Plymouth Rock Insurance | $67 | $201 | $403 |
| Selective Insurance | $68 | $204 | $407 |
| NJM Insurance | $74 | $222 | $445 |
| Geico | $82 | $245 | $490 |
| Amica | $84 | $252 | $503 |
| Farmers | $99 | $298 | $596 |
| Travelers | $103 | $309 | $618 |
| Progressive | $107 | $321 | $642 |
| Allstate | $125 | $376 | $752 |
| Mercury Insurance | $134 | $402 | $804 |
| State Farm | $135 | $405 | $810 |
| AIG | $136 | $408 | $817 |
No single New Jersey temporary car insurance solution works for everyone. There are several flexible insurance solutions for temporary coverage needs. The key is matching the right option to your specific situation:
Most insurers in New Jersey don’t offer policies shorter than six months, but you can still get temporary coverage by purchasing a standard policy and canceling it early. A six-month minimum coverage policy costs about $642 on average, while canceling after 90 days brings the cost down to around $321.
Many insurers will refund unused premium months, especially if there’s no cancellation fee. Just be sure to avoid any gaps in coverage, as even a short lapse could lead to higher rates in the future.
| Minimum Coverage | $107 | $321 | $642 |
| Full Coverage | $180 | $540 | $1,080 |
If your child attends school less than 100 miles from your home, you'll still be able to save money by shopping around. We compared different insurance providers to help you find the cheapest insurance companies for teens in New Jersey.
If you already have a car insurance policy in New Jersey and only need short-term changes, it's probably easier to adjust your existing coverage rather than purchase a new policy. It’s a practical way to stay covered when your driving situation changes for a short period. These adjustments can help you save money and avoid the hassle of canceling and restarting coverage.
If your child is attending school elsewhere in New Jersey, you can temporarily remove them from your policy or ask for a discount.
If you plan to keep your car in storage, you can save money by canceling all coverages except comprehensive insurance. Military personnel can also take advantage of USAA's car storage discounts.
If you let someone else drive your car, you should only add them to your insurance policy if they drive it regularly.
If you’re putting your car in storage for a while, you can lower your insurance costs by switching to a comprehensive-only policy or asking your insurer about storage discounts. Comprehensive coverage protects against non-driving risks like theft, vandalism or weather damage, without the added cost of liability insurance.
In New Jersey, a comprehensive and collision policy with a $1,000 deductible costs about $387 per year on average, compared to $1,404 for a full policy that includes liability coverage.
If a member of your household drives your car, they must be insured on your policy. If you let someone from outside your household drive your car, they will be automatically covered by your policy without you needing to make any modifications to your coverage.
Non-owner car insurance is a good option for drivers who don’t own a car but need to provide proof of insurance to reinstate their license. Non-owner car insurance in New Jersey costs an average of $173 per month for minimum coverage and $211 for full coverage. For people in New Jersey who don’t own a vehicle but drive regularly, non-owner insurance can be the most cost-effective option.
| Full Coverage | $211 | $633 | $1,266 |
| Minimum Coverage | $173 | $519 | $1,038 |
This coverage is particularly valuable for international drivers visiting New Jersey, college students who drive occasionally when home or anyone who regularly borrows cars from friends or family. Non-owner insurance provides liability protection and often includes uninsured motorist coverage, giving you peace of mind when driving borrowed or rental vehicles.
If you're renting a car in New Jersey, you can buy insurance directly from the rental company, with daily average costs ranging from $59 to $70. Most companies include basic liability and offer optional add-ons like collision damage waivers and personal accident coverage.
You may not need extra coverage if you already have car insurance or a credit card that includes rental protection. To avoid unnecessary costs, check your existing coverage before buying anything additional.
Company | Total Insurance Cost | Supplemental Liability Cost | Collision Damage Waiver Cost | Personal Accident Insurance Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Enterprise | $70 | $13 | $51 | $6 |
Avis | $59 | $18 | $31 | $10 |
Hertz | $60 | $19 | $34 | $7 |
New Jersey rideshare drivers may be aware that they’re covered by insurance when they accept fares or travel with passengers. However, there is a temporary coverage gap when drivers don’t have a fare. Rideshare insurance can be useful in this situation. However, ridesharing insurance doesn’t exist in all states.
We compared the coverages offered by different insurance companies for this type of policy to help you find the best rideshare insurance in New Jersey.
In New Jersey, obtaining temporary car insurance typically involves purchasing a standard six-month policy and canceling it early, with companies like Plymouth Rock Insurance offering one-month coverage for approximately $67. Alternatively, non-owner or rental car insurance can provide short-term solutions. In this article, we discussed these options to help you choose the best temporary coverage for your needs.
Need quick answers about temporary car insurance in New Jersey? Here are the most common questions we hear from drivers.
You can create temporary auto insurance in New Jersey based on your needs, but keep in mind that most insurers won't cover you for less than six months at a time.
Yes, you'll usually be refunded for your unused months of coverage if you cancel your policy early. However, you should be aware that canceling your insurance might involve cancellation fees.
Canceling a policy doesn't impact your driving record, but frequent cancellations or coverage lapses can lead to higher rates later. Always notify your insurer and avoid gaps in coverage.
Non-owner car insurance is a good choice if you borrow or rent cars regularly. It meets legal requirements and provides liability coverage, but it doesn't cover physical damage to the vehicle.
If you already have car insurance, your liability coverage will likely extend to rental vehicles. However, for added protection like collision or theft, consider buying supplemental coverage from the rental agency or using a credit card that includes rental insurance.
No, New Jersey law requires all drivers to carry at least the state's minimum liability coverage. Driving uninsured can result in fines, license suspension and other penalties.
Yes, most insurers in New Jersey offer monthly payment options for both temporary and standard policies. Monthly payments cost around 3% to 5% more than paying the full premium upfront, but they make coverage more affordable for short-term needs.
Monthly car insurance refers to the payment schedule. You can pay monthly for any policy length. Temporary coverage refers to the duration you need insurance. You can get temporary coverage with monthly payments or pay the full amount upfront.
Many insurers charge processing fees for monthly payments, approximately $3 to $10 per month. Some companies waive these fees if you set up automatic payments or maintain good credit. The convenience outweighs the small additional cost for short-term coverage needs.
Finding short-term car insurance in New Jersey feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most companies don't offer it, and the ones that do charge premium prices. We designed our research to help you understand your real options and costs when you need coverage for just a few days, weeks or months.
Our Research Approach
We gathered 240 car insurance quotes from five providers that offer temporary coverage options in New Jersey, using data from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. Rather than relying on advertised rates, we collected actual quote data to show you what you'd really pay.
Why This Sample Driver Profile Matters
Our analysis used a 40-year-old male with a clean driving record and good credit who drives 12,000 miles annually in a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. This profile represents the average New Jersey driver seeking temporary coverage: someone between permanent policies, visiting family, or needing short-term protection.
Coverage Levels We Compared
Full Coverage Analysis included:
Non-Owner Car Insurance Analysis used New Jersey's minimum coverage requirements:
What This Means for Your Decision
These coverage levels matter because temporary doesn't mean cheap protection. The difference between minimum and full coverage can be $75 per month or more, but full coverage protects you from paying thousands out of pocket if you cause an accident during your short-term period.
Our methodology focuses on non-owner policies because they're often the most practical temporary solution for New Jersey drivers who don't own a vehicle but need occasional coverage.
Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.
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.
