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Quote’s drivers have found rates as low as $42/month in the last few days!
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Malory Will has an M.A. in English from Arizona State University. She has over four years of experience in writing for the insurance industry. With a background in health, auto, life, and homeowners insurance, Malory is passionate about making complex insurance topics clear and approachable. Her goal is to help readers make informed decisions with confidence.
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Daniel S. Young began his professional career as chief editor of The Chanticleer, a Jacksonville State University newspaper. He also contributed to The Anniston Star, a local newspaper in Alabama. Daniel holds a BA in Communication and is pursuing an MA in Journalism & Media Studies at the University of Alabama. With a strong desire to help others protect their investments, Daniel has writt...
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Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Updated February 2026
The best temporary auto insurance providers include Erie Insurance, Nationwide, and Liberty Mutual.
These companies offer the best temporary auto insurance coverage for nearly every need, including standard six-month policies you can cancel, non-owner insurance, and pay-as-you-go options.
Read on to learn how to pick out the best temporary car insurance company for you from these top ten providers.
Top 10 Companies: Best Temporary Auto Insurance| Company | Rank | Claims Satisfaction | A.M. Best | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | #1 | 743 / 1,000 | A | Quick Coverage |
 | #2 | 730 / 1,000 | A | Affordable Options |
 | #3 | 729 / 1,000 | A+ | Flexible Terms |
 | #4 | 716 / 1,000 | A+ | Nationwide Access |
 | #5 | 702 / 1,000 | A | Bundling Savings |
 | #6 | 697 / 1,000 | A++ | Digital Management |
 | #7 | 693 / 1,000 | A+ | Customer Support |
 | #8 | 691 / 1,000 | A++ | Flexible Payment |
 | #9 | 690 / 1,000 | A | Easy Enrollment |
 | #10 | 672 / 1,000 | A | Fast Approval |
Before you sign up for a temporary policy, you should carefully consider why you need it. For example, a non-owner insurance policy is a great option for someone without a car, but it might not work for regular drivers.
When you’re ready to compare temporary auto insurance quotes, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool.
Regardless of which type of auto insurance will work best for you, Erie Insurance, Liberty Mutual, and Nationwide are our top picks for the best temporary car insurance companies.
However, Erie is only available in 12 states, compared to the largest temporary auto insurance providers in the U.S, like Nationwide and Liberty Mutual.
Allstate and AmFam are also popular for their big bundling discounts and local agents who can provide personalized support to drivers seeking short-term car insurance.
Although these providers are the most popular temporary insurance companies, they might not be the best for you. What makes the best short-term auto insurance companies so good depends on the following five criteria:
Picking a company with strong customer service is especially important, since you’ll likely need to speak with a representative to cancel your temporary coverage.
Before you shop around, you should know that most providers don’t sell true day-to-day auto insurance policies. Instead, the most common solution for a temporary insurance need is to purchase a regular policy and cancel it when you no longer need it.
With that in mind, you can find the best temporary auto insurance the same way you would find standard coverage.
Other popular temporary insurance options depend on what you need coverage for. For example, non-owner insurance is an affordable option for people who don’t own a car but frequently borrow one.
Michelle Robbins Licensed Insurance Agent
Usage-based insurance (UBI) programs, like a pay-per-mile policy, might work best for infrequent drivers.
Pay-as-you-go auto insurance policies offer the stability of permanent coverage while minimizing how much you need to pay based on how often you drive.
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The average cost of auto insurance depends on a variety of factors, but temporary coverage is usually more expensive in the long run than maintaining a standard policy.
It is often much cheaper to buy standard six-month insurance plans and cancel them than to buy a temporary policy, so compare prices from local providers in your area to see which option is more affordable.
Many factors affect your temporary coverage quotes, but one of the most important is the amount of insurance you want to buy.
Full coverage temporary policies cost more than minimum liability, and there can be a significant difference between your premiums from company to company.
Temporary Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level| Insurance Company | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| $95 | $252 |
| $73 | $195 |
| $35 | $94 |
| $91 | $239 |
| $46 | $124 |
| $110 | $285 |
| $76 | $194 |
| $42 | $113 |
| $56 | $147 |
| $58 | $154 |
Every insurance company uses a different formula to determine your rates, so comparing multiple quotes can help narrow down the most affordable rate.
While the amount of coverage you buy directly impacts your premiums, there are many other factors to consider, like your age, driving record, the car you drive, and even your credit score, which can affect your rates.
Your age plays a significant role in your monthly premiums, with younger drivers typically paying more for insurance than older, more experienced drivers.
That’s true for temporary insurance as well as for standard policies. You can see how much you might pay for temporary insurance based on your age below.
Temporary Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age| Company | Age: 20 | Age: 30 | Age: 40 | Age: 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $128 | $95 | $89 | $83 |
| $101 | $73 | $67 | $61 |
| $49 | $35 | $31 | $29 |
| $124 | $91 | $87 | $81 |
| $68 | $46 | $41 | $37 |
| $148 | $110 | $103 | $97 |
| $109 | $76 | $71 | $63 |
| $61 | $42 | $38 | $34 |
| $79 | $56 | $52 | $48 |
| $82 | $58 | $54 | $45 |
It’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies won’t sell policies to minors. If a teen driver needs coverage, temporary or permanent, they almost always need help from a parent or guardian.
Alternatively, a parent or guardian can add a teen driver to an existing policy. This keeps the teen driver protected on the road and is a long-term solution for temporary coverage needs.
Read More: Cheap Auto Insurance for Teens
Insurance companies decide how much to charge you for coverage based on how much of a risk you present. One of the easiest ways they assess your risk level is by reviewing your driving record.
Drivers with clean records will pay much less for temporary auto insurance than people with things like speeding tickets and DUIs. Compare Now: Cheap Auto Insurance After a DUI
Temporary Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record| Company | Clean Record | One Accident | One DUI | One Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $95 | $128 | $214 | $112 |
| $73 | $97 | $168 | $84 |
| $35 | $47 | $86 | $40 |
| $91 | $122 | $205 | $108 |
| $46 | $61 | $103 | $53 |
| $110 | $148 | $262 | $124 |
| $76 | $101 | $182 | $88 |
| $42 | $56 | $98 | $48 |
| $56 | $73 | $128 | $63 |
| $58 | $77 | $135 | $66 |
Drivers with marks on their driving record pay more for insurance, but some companies are more forgiving than others. That’s why it’s so important to compare quotes. If you don’t, you’ll likely overpay for your coverage.
One thing to keep in mind about buying temporary insurance is that providers see a gap in your coverage history as a red flag. By not maintaining coverage, you may end up paying higher rates later.
While there are many other things insurance companies look at – your marital status, where you live, and so on – many people don’t realize that their credit score plays a role in their premiums.
Drivers with higher credit scores pay less for insurance because they are statistically less likely to miss payments and file claims.
Temporary Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Credit Score| Company | Excellent (800+) | Good (670–799) | Fair (580–669) | Poor (<580) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $95 | $112 | $138 | $176 |
| $73 | $88 | $109 | $149 |
| $35 | $47 | $63 | $92 |
| $91 | $109 | $137 | $183 |
| $46 | $58 | $76 | $118 |
| $110 | $134 | $168 | $224 |
| $76 | $92 | $118 | $162 |
| $42 | $54 | $71 | $103 |
| $56 | $68 | $89 | $131 |
| $58 | $72 | $93 | $138 |
Having a very low score might push you closer to needing high-risk auto insurance, which costs more. The good news is that your insurance rates will decrease if you can improve your credit score.
Additionally, some states don’t allow insurance companies to use your credit score when determining your premiums. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan strictly ban the practice.
One cost to keep in mind for your temporary auto insurance needs is that you might have to pay to cancel your policy early.
Checking for cancellation fees before you sign up for a policy is an important step in getting the best temporary coverage. Most companies don’t charge a fee, but checking beforehand will save you from an unexpected fee later.
Average Auto Insurance Cancellation Fees| Company | Fee Amount | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$30 | Prorated unused premium |
| $0–$50 | Prorated after fee |
| $0–$50 | Prorated minus fees |
| $0–$50 | Prorated minus fees |
| $0 | Prorated unused days |
| $0 | Prorated remaining term |
| $0 | Prorated unused days |
| $0–$50 | Prorated after fee |
| $0 | Prorated unused days |
| $0–$25 | Prorated unused premium |
While all of this may sound confusing, finding the right provider for you doesn’t have to be difficult.
Finding the best temporary car insurance is easy if you compare your options. The best place to start comparing temporary car insurance options is by determining how much each company will charge you for coverage.
Temporary insurance may be more expensive than maintaining a standard policy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save. Insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that short-term policyholders can take advantage of.
Finding the provider with the most insurance discounts you qualify for is essential to keep prices down. Take a look below to see some of the best ways to save on temporary car insurance.
Top Discounts for Temporary Auto Insurance| Company | Anti-Theft | Bundling | Good Driver | Usage-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | 25% | 25% | 40% |
| 25% | 25% | 25% | 20% |
| 15% | 25% | 23% | 30% |
| 10% | 20% | 30% | 30% |
| 25% | 25% | 26% | 25% |
| 35% | 25% | 20% | 30% |
| 5% | 20% | 40% | 40% |
| 20% | 15% | 20% | 30% |
| 15% | 17% | 25% | 30% |
| 15% | 13% | 10% | 30% |
There will be some auto insurance discounts that you won’t qualify for if you have a short-term policy. For example, many good driver discounts require that you have the policy open for a certain period before the discount applies.
If you’re not sure about your discounts, you can always contact a representative from your insurance company for help. They can make sure you’re getting every discount possible.
Before you can pick the right coverage, you’ll need to know why you need insurance and how long you’ll maintain the coverage.
Short-term coverage needs vary widely. Someone borrowing a car for a month will need different protection than someone driving occasionally without owning a vehicle.
Aside from how long you’ll need coverage, the reason you need coverage should also guide the decision of which type of insurance to buy.
There are many reasons a driver might need temporary insurance, and the coverage they purchase should reflect those reasons.
Best Temporary Insurance Options by Situation| Situation | Best Option | Why it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Borrowing a car | Non-owner policy | Liability-only coverage |
| Car in storage | Storage coverage | Weather, fire, & theft damage |
| Occasional driving | Usage-based policy | Pay-per-mile savings |
| Renting a car | Rental car insurance | Short-term rental protection |
| Short coverage gaps | Short-term policy | Prorated refund possible |
The best policy for you depends on why you need temporary coverage. For example, a non-owner policy wouldn’t work for a college student planning to use a parent or guardian’s car for the summer.
In some cases, you might not even need temporary auto insurance. For instance, some credit cards offer rental car coverage for free. Make sure to research your options before you buy coverage so you don’t waste your money.
Aside from the considerations listed above, finding the best short-term car insurance is similar to shopping for a standard policy. You’ll need to pick how much coverage you want for your vehicle.
Although there are tons of coverage options, the most common types of temporary auto insurance purchased include:
Although these are the most commonly purchased types of insurance, you can add more to your policy if you want.
For example, some drivers like to add roadside assistance to their temporary auto insurance policies for extra protection.
Daniel Young Published Insurance Expert
Whether you want cheap weekly car insurance or a temporary policy with extra coverage, the perfect insurance company for you is out there.
That’s why we’ve put together a carefully researched list of temporary auto insurance companies that offer flexible policy options, strong financial stability, and competitive rates.
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Finding the right short-term coverage can be challenging, especially when you only need protection for a limited time. However, there are plenty more providers who can meet your temporary needs.
Leading our rankings are Erie Insurance, Liberty Mutual, and Nationwide, thanks to their dependable customer service, broad coverage options, and nationwide availability.
See More: Erie vs. Metlife Insurance Review
Finding the best temporary auto insurance ultimately comes down to flexibility, affordability, and choosing coverage that fits your short-term driving needs.
While true day-by-day insurance is rare, many top insurers offer practical alternatives, such as cancel-anytime standard policies, non-owner car insurance, and customizable coverage options. More Details: Cheap No-Down-Payment Auto Insurance
By understanding your situation and selecting coverage thoughtfully, you can confidently find temporary auto insurance that works when you need it and stop paying for it when you don’t.
If you’re ready to find affordable temporary auto insurance, enter your ZIP code to see quotes tailored to you.
The best temporary auto insurance is typically offered by major insurers like Erie Insurance, Nationwide, and Liberty Mutual. These companies offer flexible, cancel-anytime policies, non-owner coverage, quick policy activation, and customizable coverage.
Temporary car insurance refers to short-term coverage for a driver or vehicle for a limited period. It usually comes in the form of standard policies that can be canceled early, non-owner insurance, or specialty short-term coverage rather than true day-by-day policies.
Yes, you can buy temporary auto insurance, but most insurers don’t offer true daily or weekly policies. Instead, they provide flexible policies that can be canceled when no longer needed or non-owner car insurance for short-term use.
Depending on which policy you buy, you can add a variety of types of auto insurance to your plan. Just remember, the more coverage you add, the higher your premiums will be.
You can typically drive as long as your policy is active, which may range from a few days to several months, depending on when you cancel. Some drivers only keep coverage for a short time, even though the policy is written as a standard term.
Yes, many insurers allow you to purchase same-day car insurance online and activate coverage the same day. If you buy from our top cheap same-day auto insurance companies, coverage can begin immediately after payment is processed.
Temporary auto insurance can be worth it if you need legal coverage for a short time and want to avoid long-term commitments. It’s often more affordable than paying out of pocket for damages or legal penalties.
Yes, you can buy full coverage auto insurance and cancel it early if you only need it temporarily. However, full coverage costs more and is usually best for newer, leased, or financed vehicles.
True one-day car insurance is rare and often not offered by major insurers in the U.S. Many advertised “one-day” policies are actually short-term or non-owner policies marketed as daily coverage. Sometimes, a company offering one-day insurance is actually just a scam trying to get your personal information.
Pay-per-mile auto insurance charges a base monthly rate plus a per-mile fee, making it ideal for low-mileage drivers. It helps reduce costs if you drive infrequently or only short distances.
Read More: Best Low-Mileage Auto Insurance Discounts
The best pay-as-you-go insurance companies include Metromile, Nationwide (SmartMiles), Allstate (Milewise), and Liberty Mutual.
Insurance rates change constantly — we help you stay ahead by making it easy to compare top options and save.
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