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When shopping for cheap rates, there might be times when you don’t want coverage for a long period of time. In some cases, you may just need a one-month policy before committing to a new company or canceling altogether.
However, it is difficult to find temporary coverage for less than six months being offered by a reputable car insurer.
While drivers should consider other types of coverage before getting one-month coverage, we’ll cover what temporary insurance is and when you should consider using it below.
Affordable one-month coverage is out there. Enter your ZIP to compare and buy one-month auto insurance from top insurers in your area.
What is temporary car insurance?
One month vehicle policies are known as temporary auto insurance. Temporary car insurance is difficult to find, especially for coverage lasting less than six months.
If you are looking for a one month term policy, you may have to purchase a six-month policy and cancel partway through. However, some companies also offer month-to-month car insurance payment plans, which makes canceling easier.
If you need a policy without owning a car, you may want to consider rental car insurance or non-owner auto insurance. You may also be able to ask your long-term auto insurer to make accommodations for a short-term situation.
Temporary or month-to-month will still offer you the coverages of a standard policy. This will help you meet at least the minimum requirements for auto policies in your state.
Other coverages offered by auto providers, like collision and comprehensive, will also be available to you.
Take a look at this table to see what the average annual rate is for different coverage levels. This will give you an idea of the costs you may be looking at.
| Companies | Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates for High Coverage | Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates for Low Coverage | Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates for Medium Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,667.92 | $2,404.11 | $2,539.87 |
| American Family | $3,416.40 | $3,368.49 | $3,544.37 |
| GEICO | $3,429.14 | $3,001.91 | $3,213.97 |
| State Farm | $3,454.80 | $3,055.40 | $3,269.80 |
| Nationwide | $3,505.37 | $3,394.83 | $3,449.80 |
| Progressive | $4,350.96 | $3,737.13 | $4,018.46 |
| Farmers | $4,494.13 | $3,922.47 | $4,166.22 |
| Travelers | $4,619.07 | $4,223.63 | $4,462.02 |
| Allstate | $5,139.02 | $4,628.03 | $4,896.81 |
| Liberty Mutual | $6,356.04 | $5,805.75 | $6,058.57 |
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Low coverage is about $312 a month, and full coverage is around $345 a month. While liability-only coverage will generally fulfill your minimum requirements, full coverage offers you much more peace of mind for only about a dollar more a day.
These auto coverages aren’t one size fits all. You can choose only the coverages that fit your needs. This can help keep your payment low.
There are many reasons why one-month coverage is difficult to find. Most reputable insurance companies don’t offer policies for less than six months, since the cost of covering a driver for less is not worth it to them.
These are some factors you need to be aware of if you’re looking for short-term car insurance:
Will I be covered immediately?
Many major car insurers also limit the use of collision and comprehensive coverage for new policyholders. This grace period could last up to 45 days, which is likely to last longer than your short-term needs.
Could I lose my down payment?
If you were to purchase a longer policy and then cancel after your short-term situation passes, you may lose your down payment and be charged cancellation fees that can diminish your refund and increase your costs overall.
Will it show as a gap in my coverage?
Even though you will have coverage, a temporary policy may show a gap in your coverage history. Since it is not a standard policy, this could cause you headaches down the road.
Will my age and driving record determine if I can get temporary coverage?
Some companies will not offer your short-term coverage if you are under 25 years old. Also, if you have a poor driving record, companies will be leery of offering you this type of coverage.
What is required in most states?
In most states, coverage is required in order to drive a vehicle on the road. And lenders will likely require you to carry the state minimums as well as collision and comprehensive, even if you don’t drive the car regularly.
A one-month policy will help you meet the legal requirements in your state.
According to (III), about 13 percent of drivers were uninsured in 2015. If you are caught driving while uninsured, you can face fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time.
Individuals who are interested in temporary, short-term, or month-to-month car insurance often include:
As you can see, there are many different reasons someone might need temporary car insurance.
As you can see, there is a place for short-term insurance.
In cases of young or student drivers, classic car owners who want to cover their car for a short time, or for anyone who does not currently own their own car, temporary or short-term insurance offers a viable short-term alternative to car coverage.
But if you own a car that you drive regularly or frequently, it’s best to stick to one of the long-term plans.
It is wise to keep in mind that, while temporary vehicle coverages are a great solution for short-term needs, it is not a long-term policy and should not be used for long-term situations.
If you find yourself or someone on your policy in one of these situations, you may want to consider changing from a temporary to a permanent policy:
In any of the above cases, you may want to consider shopping around for other to make sure you get the best deal on long-term policies.
It often helps to compare policies side-by-side so that you can see which options are really needed and which are not.
Roadside assistance options, for example, may be a great idea for student drivers or young drivers.
People who travel often will also want to consider having roadside assistance.
You should consider all when shopping so that you can get the most for your money when you switch from temporary to long-term coverages.
When shopping for temporary or month-to-month car coverage, what should you look for to ensure that you are getting the best temporary coverage?
While shopping, be sure to be mindful of where you are on what kind of coverage you want. For example, searching for one-day car insurance in the USA is different than looking for temporary coverage in California.
Ask for advice from an insurance company professional when comparing plans or anytime you think you need short-term insurance.
By doing so, you can have a clear understanding of what different policies from various companies end up costing.
For example, there are differences between GEICO one-month plan, Progressive short-term policy, and AAA temporary car insurance.
Insurance agents can offer sound advice on how much to get and for how long, as well as options that are the most feasible while on the short-term plan.
Wondering what one-month rates look like? Enter your ZIP to get one-month auto insurance quotes from multiple companies now.
Keep reading to find answers to some common questions.
No. While the car you take the test in must be insured, as a permit driver, you should be covered under your parents’, spouse’s, or significant other’s policy.
No. Your test drive was covered under the dealer’s insurance. And the dealership may offer temporary insurance after your purchase, but it will likely save you money if you take the time to shop around and compare long-term insurance rates from other companies.
Auto Insurance FAQ / Auto Insurance Tips