Temporary Car Insurance in Texas

Texas doesn't offer true temporary car insurance policies. No insurer sells coverage for just a few days or weeks. However, you still have options for short-term protection.

Your best bet is buying a standard six-month policy and canceling early. Most major insurers don't charge cancellation fees and will refund your unused premium. Some companies like Root and Metromile offer month-to-month billing, which gives you more flexibility than traditional six-month terms.

If you don't own a car but drive occasionally, non-owner insurance might be your solution. It provides liability coverage when you borrow cars or rent vehicles, typically costing 40% to 60% less than standard policies.

Texas doesn't sell temporary policies, but these options can cover your short-term needs:

Canceling your policy before the full term ends gives you shorter coverage. Most insurers will refund the remaining balance of your policy costs after cancellation.

When canceling car insurance, you must ensure you don't have a coverage lapse. Otherwise, you might pay higher car insurance rates in the future.

Our research found that State Farm is the cheapest temporary car insurance provider in Texas for a 90-day policy, at $351.

The costs used in this guide exclude cancellation fees since most insurers don't charge cancellation fees. After canceling your policy, insurance providers give you a refund for the months you haven't used in your policy.

Drivers who don't own cars but need to file an SR-22 may have to prove that they have insurance before getting their suspended licenses back. Non-owner car insurance serves this purpose, and you can get it in Texas at $571 per year on average.

Non-owner car insurance is the cheapest option if you don't own a car.

Rental companies offer temporary car insurance when you rent a car in Texas.

Rental car insurance in Texas includes standard liability coverage, and you can purchase extra coverages like supplemental liability insurance, personal accident coverage and collision damage waivers.

Adding all optional coverages to your policy costs an average of $55 to $60 per day. Selecting only the add-on coverages you need can save you money.

Enterprise offers the lowest rate at $55 daily, while Hertz is the most expensive at $60 daily, and Avis costs $57 daily.

If you work for a rideshare company, you get insurance coverage once you accept a fare or as soon as you start transporting a passenger. Before accepting a ride, you will have a temporary lapse in your coverage and might need to purchase rideshare insurance.

Rideshare insurance policies vary by state and may not be available in all states. MoneyGeek’s rideshare insurance comparison can help you identify the best rideshare options available in Texas.

Drivers who already have car insurance in Texas but need to remove or add temporary coverage can adjust their current policy to meet their temporary needs.

The most common questions about temporary car insurance involve teenage drivers going away to college, drivers who want to store their cars and letting people borrow a car.

The average cost of temporary auto insurance in Texas is $97 per month on a minimum coverage policy. Rates vary by city and provider. Check the tables below to see which city has the cheapest temporary car insurance in the state.

Finding temporary car insurance in Texas often means purchasing a standard policy and canceling early or exploring alternatives like rental or non-owner insurance. Compare options from top insurers to secure the best short-term coverage for your needs.

Below are answers to common questions about temporary insurance in Texas.

Non-owner car insurance in Texas fills a specific gap — you need coverage but don't own a vehicle. Whether you're between cars, use rideshare services or borrow vehicles occasionally, finding the right policy means understanding which companies offer flexible options and how much they cost. We designed our research to answer the practical questions Texas drivers face when shopping for temporary policies.

Our Research Approach

Using data from the Texas Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services, we gathered 240 car insurance quotes from five providers that offer non-owner coverage in Texas. This approach focuses on companies that actually write non-owner policies since many major insurers don't offer this coverage type.

Why We Used Minimum Coverage Limits

Texas requires specific minimum coverage amounts, and non-owner policies typically provide exactly these limits since you're not protecting a vehicle's value. Our quotes reflect Texas's required minimums:

• $30,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $60,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability per accident

Our Sample Driver Profile

We used a standardized profile to ensure fair comparisons across companies:

• 40-year-old male (representing the median age for non-owner policy seekers)
• 2012 Toyota Camry LE (reference vehicle for rating purposes)
• Clean driving record (no accidents or violations)
• Good credit history (where legally allowed for rating)
• 12,000 miles driven annually

Why This Profile Matters

Non-owner insurance companies still need a reference point for risk assessment, even without a specific vehicle to insure. The 40-year-old age represents experienced drivers most likely to need non-owner coverage, while the clean record shows baseline rates before any risk factors apply.

This methodology captures real-world pricing for Texas drivers who need financial protection without owning a car, helping you compare actual costs from companies that specialize in this coverage type.

Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.