Weekend-Only Car Insurance: Options for Occasional Drivers (2026)

Insurers don't offer weekend-only policies, but weekend drivers have several options to lower premiums based on limited usage.

Find out if you're overpaying for car insurance below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: February 9, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Weekend-only car insurance policies don't exist because states require continuous coverage for all registered vehicles.

Usage-based insurance and pay-per-mile programs can reduce premiums by 20-60% for drivers under 10,000 miles annually while maintaining required continuous coverage.

Non-owner policies cost $400-$600 yearly and cover liability when borrowing vehicles, making them ideal for weekend drivers who don't own cars.

Can You Get Weekend-Only Car Insurance?

No, insurers don't offer weekend-only car insurance policies. However, weekend drivers have several options to reduce insurance costs based on limited usage. Usage-based programs track your actual mileage and adjust premiums accordingly. Pay-per-mile insurance charges low monthly rates plus per-mile fees. Non-owner policies cover liability when borrowing vehicles without requiring vehicle ownership. These alternatives maintain required continuous coverage while reducing costs by 20-60% compared to standard policies for drivers who primarily use their vehicles on weekends.

Why Insurers Don't Offer Weekend-Only Policies

Weekend-only car insurance doesn't exist for legal, practical and financial reasons that affect both insurers and drivers.

State laws mandate continuous coverage

All 50 states require liability insurance for registered vehicles regardless of how often you drive. This coverage must remain active 24/7, not just during weekend trips. Canceling coverage Monday through Friday violates state insurance requirements and triggers automatic registration suspension in most states.

Your vehicle creates liability even when parked

Your parked car can roll into the street, get damaged by falling trees with debris scattering to neighboring property or catch fire and spread. Without continuous coverage, you're personally liable for these damages. A single incident could cost thousands in legal fees and property damage claims.

Lenders require uninterrupted protection

Financed or leased vehicles require continuous comprehensive and collision coverage per your loan agreement. Weekend-only coverage wouldn't meet these obligations. Lenders can force-place insurance at higher rates or repossess your vehicle for policy violations.

Coverage gaps increase future rates

Insurers view coverage lapses as high-risk behavior. Gaps of 30 days or more result in 10-20% higher premiums when you reinstate coverage. Repeatedly canceling and reactivating policies makes you appear unreliable, resulting in higher quotes or coverage denials.

Best Insurance Options for Weekend Drivers

Weekend drivers don't need weekend-only policies to save money. Several legitimate alternatives maintain required continuous coverage while reducing costs based on limited vehicle use. The right option depends on your annual mileage, driving patterns and whether you own a vehicle.

Usage-based insurance programs track your driving habits through smartphone apps or plug-in devices and adjust premiums based on actual usage. These programs work well for weekend drivers who want continuous coverage at reduced rates without per-mile charges.

Install your insurer's app or plug in a device to monitor mileage, time of day, braking and acceleration. Usage-based programs reduce premiums by 10-30% for drivers under 10,000 miles annually. Safe, low-mileage drivers see the biggest savings.

Major programs include:
Progressive
Snapshot
App or device
Up to 30%
State Farm
Drive Safe & Save
App
Up to 30%
Allstate
Drivewise
App only
Enrollment + ongoing
GEICO
DriveEasy
App
Renewal discount
Who Is It Best For? Usage-based programs work best for drivers logging 5,000-10,000 miles annually with occasional longer weekend trips. You'll benefit from low overall mileage without per-mile charges. Programs charge full base premiums with discounts applied at renewal. Maintain the tracking app or device for your entire policy period to qualify for maximum discounts.


Progressive	Snapshot	App or device	Up to 30%
State Farm	Drive Safe & Save	App	Up to 30%
Allstate	Drivewise	App only	Enrollment + ongoing
GEICO	DriveEasy	App	Renewal discount

Pay-per-mile insurance offers the lowest rates for drivers who barely use their vehicles. You'll pay a low monthly base rate covering you even when parked, plus per-mile charges for actual driving. This model works best for weekend drivers logging minimal annual mileage.

With this model, you'll pay a fixed monthly base rate (typically $30-$60) plus charges for each mile driven. Most insurers charge $0.04-$0.10 per mile depending on your location, vehicle and coverage selections. A plug-in device or smartphone app tracks your mileage automatically. Your monthly bill reflects your base rate plus accumulated mileage charges.


Metromile	8 states (CA, IL, NJ, PA, VA, WA, OR, AZ)	Plug-in device	Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
Mile Auto	Nationwide	Mobile app	App-based tracking, quick claims
Nationwide SmartMiles	Select states	Plug-in device	Major carrier backing, full coverage options
Allstate Milewise	Select states	Odometer photos	No device needed, established insurer

Who Is It Best For? Pay-per-mile insurance makes financial sense for drivers logging under 7,500 miles annually. If you drive 5,000 miles yearly or less, you'll save 45-60% compared to traditional policies. Weekend drivers who make short local trips benefit most from this model.

Low-mileage discounts offer savings without tracking technology or per-mile charges. You'll report your estimated annual mileage when buying coverage and receive a discount if you drive below your insurer's threshold.

Tell your insurer you drive fewer than 7,500-10,000 miles annually when getting quotes. Most insurers apply discounts automatically based on your self-reported mileage. Some carriers verify mileage through annual odometer photos or readings at policy renewal. The discount remains in effect as long as your mileage stays below the threshold. Low-mileage discounts reduce premiums by 5-15% depending on the insurer and how far below the threshold you drive.

Who Is It Best For? Low-mileage discounts work well for drivers who want savings without tracking devices, apps or per-mile charges. They provide smaller savings but greater simplicity compared to usage-based programs. This option suits drivers between 7,000-10,000 miles yearly who don't want monitoring technology in their vehicles.
Non-owner car insurance covers liability when driving vehicles you don't own. This type of policy costs roughly $400-$600 annually. Non-owner insurance provides bodily injury and property damage liability coverage when you drive borrowed or rented vehicles but excludes damage to the vehicle you're driving. The vehicle owner's insurance serves as primary coverage for their own vehicle damage.

Who Is It Best For? Non-owner insurance is a smart choice for those who regularly borrow family vehicles for weekend activities, rent cars for weekend trips without buying rental counter insurance or use car-sharing services like Zipcar or Turo frequently. It's also a good option for maintaining continuous coverage for licensing requirements without owning a vehicle.

Note: You can't have regular access to a household vehicle. Insurers won't sell you non-owner coverage if you live with someone whose car you could drive anytime.

Rental cars and car-sharing services provide alternatives for weekend drivers who don't need vehicle ownership. Understanding coverage options helps you avoid overpaying for duplicate protection.

Rental car insurance options:

Coverage through rental companies includes collision damage waiver (CDW) and liability protection. CDW covers damage to the rental vehicle regardless of fault. Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. Rental company coverage costs around $15-$30 daily depending on the vehicle and protection level selected.
Credit card coverage often includes rental car collision damage waiver. Many major credit cards cover rental vehicle damage if you decline the rental company's CDW and pay for the rental with the card. However, credit card coverage typically excludes liability protection, leaving you responsible for injuries you cause. Check your card's specific terms before declining rental company coverage.
Personal auto policy extension means your liability coverage typically extends to rental vehicles. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your personal vehicle, it usually extends to rental cars too. This overlap makes rental company coverage redundant for many drivers. Call your insurer before renting to verify your coverage extends to rentals.
When to purchase rental coverage: Buy rental company insurance if you don't own a vehicle and lack a personal auto policy. Purchase coverage if your personal policy excludes rentals or provides inadequate liability limits. Consider coverage for expensive luxury or specialty vehicles that exceed your personal policy's limits.

Car-sharing service options:


Zipcar	State-minimum liability included	Included in membership fees	$1,000 (standard members) or $0 (damage fee waiver members)
Turo	Varies by protection plan	Optional protection plans available	$0 to $3,000 depending on plan selected
Getaround	State-minimum liability included	Varies by vehicle owner's selection	Varies by rental—some include waivers, others require renter payment

Who Is It Best For? Rental cars and car-sharing services are a good fit for drivers who don't own vehicles and need weekend transportation without annual insurance costs.

AVOID THE "BUY AND CANCEL" STRATEGY

Don't try to create weekend-only coverage by continuously buying and canceling standard policies. Some drivers purchase six-month policies and cancel after weekend trips, but this approach backfires. You'll face possible cancellation fees, create coverage gaps that increase future premiums and risk state penalties including registration suspension and reinstatement fees.

The only exception: This works for truly one-time needs, like borrowing a friend's car for a single weekend move when the vehicle owner's insurance won't cover you. For regular weekend driving, use usage-based insurance, pay-per-mile programs or non-owner policies instead.

Have auto insurance questions?Chat with Charlie now.

Weekend-Only Insurance Coverage: Bottom Line

True weekend-only policies aren't available, but occasional drivers have better options. Usage-based insurance, pay-per-mile programs and non-owner policies reduce costs based on your actual mileage while maintaining the continuous coverage states require. Calculate your annual mileage and compare quotes from multiple carriers to find your lowest rates.

Insuring a Car for Weekends Only: FAQ

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about weekend-only car insurance:

Can I get car insurance for just one weekend?

No. Standard insurers require minimum 6-month policy terms. For temporary car insurance needs, consider rental car insurance ($15-$30 daily), verify your credit card's rental coverage or purchase non-owner insurance if you'll borrow vehicles occasionally. Buying and immediately canceling a standard policy may result in cancellation fees and creates coverage gaps affecting future rates.

Do I need insurance if I only drive on weekends?

Yes. States require continuous coverage for registered vehicles regardless of usage frequency. Weekend-only coverage doesn't exist legally. However, pay-per-mile and usage-based insurance programs let you pay rates reflecting your actual limited usage, reducing costs by 30-60% compared to standard policies while maintaining required continuous coverage.

Can you insure a car immediately?

Yes. Most insurers provide immediate coverage once you pay your first premium. You'll receive digital proof of insurance via email within minutes. Some carriers let you start coverage the same day.

What are safer alternatives to weekend insurance?

Usage-based insurance programs from State Farm, Progressive and Allstate offer the safest alternative for weekend drivers. These programs maintain required continuous coverage while reducing premiums by 10-30% based on low mileage. Pay-per-mile insurance from Metromile or Mile Auto works well for drivers under 7,500 miles annually. Non-owner policies ($300-$500 yearly) cover liability when borrowing vehicles. All three options keep you legally covered 24/7 without coverage gaps and penalties.

Does car-share insurance count as weekend coverage?

Car-sharing services like Zipcar, Turo and Getaround include liability and damage coverage only during active rental periods, not continuously. This doesn't satisfy state requirements if you own a vehicle. Your personal car needs continuous insurance regardless of whether you use car-sharing services. However, if you don't own a vehicle and exclusively use car-sharing for weekend transportation, these services provide adequate coverage during each rental without requiring a personal auto policy.

How much can I save with usage-based insurance?

Usage-based programs save 10-30% on average for low-mileage drivers. Actual savings depend on miles driven, time of day you drive, and driving behavior metrics like hard braking. Progressive Snapshot, State Farm Drive Safe & Save and Allstate Drivewise offer usage-based discounts. Enrollment requires smartphone app or plug-in device to track driving data.

Weekend Car Insurance: Related Topics

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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