However, temporary coverage may still be available through non-owner policies, rental cars or being added as a driver onto another person’s policy.
Temporary car insurance should only ever be purchased under special circumstances; otherwise it may be more economical and efficient to simply buy an annual policy and cancel it when no longer necessary.
Renting a Car
When renting a car, rental companies provide insurance that may meet some of your needs; however, this coverage often falls short when driving on an irregular basis. A temporary policy can come in handy here: often one that lasts six months can be bought and cancelled when your rental period ends with only an early cancellation fee payable at that time.
Consider opting for a pay-per-mile policy like Metromile that offers coverage based on how often and for how long. These types of policies tend to be more cost effective for people who use their car only occasionally, such as retirees, students and part-time workers.
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended period, adding a temporary driver could ensure it remains covered under comprehensive and collision coverage. Your insurance agent should be able to advise on which options would work best in this case.
Non-owner car insurance policies offer greater coverage than standard policies from most companies. While they typically include liability protection, non-owner policies also cover vehicles owned or rented from carsharing services that you operate.
Lastly, if you plan on travelling outside of your state or the United States for any length of time, short-term car insurance policies could provide an ideal way of staying legal while in their respective locations. Covering yourself against potential legal problems will keep your stay legal while protecting you against problems with local law enforcement authorities.
Skipping temporary car insurance policies when necessary may tempt you, but doing so could leave your rates vulnerable and impactful lapses in coverage. To avoid this issue, always have an alternative solution ready when your temporary policy expires; options include buying and cancelling traditional six-month policies or adding yourself as a family member’s policyholder – each offering their own set of advantages and costs but all will ensure legal protection while in the United States.
Adding a Driver
Addition of temporary drivers can be advantageous for various reasons. This could include adding someone like a houseguest, babysitter, or someone who will regularly drive the car on their behalf while away. Doing this quickly and cost-effectively will likely save money on premiums; but prior to doing so it is essential that their driving history and age be carefully evaluated as these will likely determine their rates.
If you plan on adding a temporary driver, it is wise to contact your insurer and give them all of the relevant information about them, including their name, address, date of birth, license/registration information as well as discounts they might qualify for, such as having maintained an impressive grade point average or completed defensive driving courses.
Dependent upon the situation, adding drivers may incur an additional fee, which could amount to as much as 10% of your annual premium. It might be worthwhile for family members joining your policy to pay this additional cost as this could save both parties money in the long run.
Many individuals require temporary car insurance for only a week or a month at a time, though you won’t find this coverage from major providers. There are ways of finding temporary coverage though; try non-owner insurance, rental car coverage or usage-based options such as pay-per-mile.
Always bear in mind that canceling or forgoing car insurance will leave a mark on your driving record, which could result in higher rates when applying for new coverage in the future. Therefore, it’s a wise idea to consult a licensed insurance agent about available options before making any definitive decisions.
Non-Owner Insurance
If you don’t own a car but frequently borrow one from friends and family members, your regular auto policy might provide for short-term coverage of that vehicle. But to protect them in case of accidents that may arise while they use it, non-owner insurance should be purchased instead – although many websites claim to provide temporary policies at affordable premiums.
Instead, it is wise to consult a licensed insurance agent and explore your options. They can assist in finding solutions to specific situations while making sure you obtain adequate protection.
Dependent upon your situation, cancelling your policy prior to its six month renewal may enable you to avoid fees. If this is done, ensure that it is replaced by another policy before using your car again so as to prevent gaps in coverage which would force premiums higher once regular insurance reinstates coverage.
Reputable insurers usually do not sell traditional car insurance policies with short terms of less than a year, or offer short term car policies lasting six months for people needing temporary coverage. Insurers fear that those purchasing shorter-term policies might cancel them early and leave themselves vulnerable while driving.
However, if you have a valid reason to require short-term car insurance, coverage can still be obtained. Either purchase an individual policy and cancel before its six month term ends; or get non-owner car insurance that protects when driving other cars.
Some individuals need to rent cars for work purposes. If this applies to you, consider getting ridesharing insurance as soon as you start working; it provides liability coverage when driving for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Be sure to review both state and company rules to make sure that this activity is covered as some states have very specific guidelines concerning this activity that vary by region.
Adding Additional Drivers
If you’re lending a vehicle temporarily to someone such as a friend, roommate or babysitter for several weeks, adding them to your policy might be more cost effective than purchasing separate policies for them. When considering this option, however, make sure it won’t increase premiums significantly and think carefully about what options there are for removing them when their use of the car has ended.
You should notify your insurer and inform them that you’re adding another driver to your policy, providing information such as their name, address and date of birth. Your insurer will then make adjustments such as calculating risk assessment and updating premiums accordingly. It would also be worthwhile asking if any discounts exist that could lower costs further when adding drivers to an existing policy.
Additionally, permissive user coverage policies offer temporary car insurance – an ideal choice for family members, babysitters and house guests alike. By adding drivers for only certain periods, permissive user policies allow you to temporarily insure them without losing out financially when their driving is finished.
Remember, while adding another driver for short periods can add flexibility, they still qualify as high-risk drivers and may require special endorsement to your policy – particularly young adults or teenagers, who typically pay higher premiums.
Typically, cancelling your standard car insurance policy midterm to add another driver is considered a lapse in coverage and could incur costly penalties; to prevent this scenario from occurring it’s wiser to explore temporary car insurance alternatives as soon as possible.
Although many companies provide temporary car insurance policies, most major providers only sell six or 12-month policies; making it hard to find legitimate options that meet your shorter-term coverage needs.
