5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Cheapest recent rates
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $34/mo for liability only and $40/mo for full coverage.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 17, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 17, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 17, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 17, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
If you need car insurance fast, you’re in luck — most major auto insurance companies offer same-day car insurance. Purchasing same-day car insurance online is convenient if you need coverage unexpectedly or if you need proof of insurance to buy a car from a dealership.
Purchasing car insurance online takes only a few minutes if you use a comparison site to find the best policy for you. Learn how same-day car insurance works, how to get it, and which companies offer the best same-day car insurance.
Quick Facts
Same-day car insurance is a legitimate way to get coverage quickly.
If you purchase same-day car insurance, it won’t provide retroactive coverage.
You might not qualify for same-day coverage if you have a poor driving record, don’t have a Social Security number, or want to insure a rare car.
The best same-day car insurance companies
Many car insurance companies offer same-day coverage. But some insurers are better than others. To find the best car insurance companies for same-day insurance, Insurify reviewed some of the top insurers based on important features like customer satisfaction ratings, coverage options, discounts, and availability.
As you begin your search, keep the insurers included in this table in mind.
Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Hugo
$49
$62
3.3
State Farm
$54
$116
4.5
American Family
$77
$174
4.3
Auto-Owners
$38
$82
4.0
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody's, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 20,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$49/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$62/mo
Hugooffers same-day “on demand” car insurance coverage with no down payment and no hidden fees. This makes it an excellent option for people who need same-day car insurance and drive infrequently.
Hugo’s unique business model allows you to purchase coverage for as little as three days at a time. If you won’t be driving for a while, you also have the option to turn off your coverage and pay nothing. It has three plans to choose from — flex, unlimited basic (which includes bodily injury and property damage liability insurance), and unlimited full (Hugo’s version of full coverage).
Hugo gradually increases prices like other insurance companies
I was initially fond of Hugo. However, over the past year, they have increased their rates by almost $1 per day, which amounts to $30 per month. This increase happened despite no changes on my end, except for turning 35, an age I thought would result in a decrease in my rates.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$54/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$116/mo
State Farm is the largest car insurance company on the market, and it’s a great option for drivers who need same-day coverage and want to work with an insurer that has solid customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power.[1] The company also offers a great selection of discounts, including special savings for young drivers and teens. If you want to bundle your car insurance with another policy, like homeowners, renters, or life insurance, State Farm offers some of the best deals.
Pros
Excellent customer satisfaction ratings
Good selection of car insurance discounts
Great policy bundling deals
Cons
Few endorsement options
Doesn’t offer gap insurance to most drivers
Doesn’t offer car insurance in Massachusetts or Rhode Island
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.2
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
840
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$77/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$174/mo
American Family is the best same-day car insurance company for discounts. The company offers more than a dozen car insurance discounts, with savings for safe drivers, young drivers, taking a defensive driving course, bundling, paying in full, low-mileage drivers, young volunteers, and more. The company also offers a free mobile app that allows you to make payments, file claims, view ID cards, and request roadside assistance.
Pros
Great selection of car insurance discounts
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings in some regions[1]
Mobile app for policy management, payments, and claims
Cons
Few ways to customize your policy
Operates in only 19 states
Lower AM Best financial strength rating than some competitors[2]
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$38/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$82/mo
Auto-Owners is a good choice for same-day car insurance if you want to customize your policy with endorsements. In addition to liability-only and full-coverage policies, the company also offers roadside assistance, additional expenses coverage, gap insurance, diminished value coverage, rental auto gap coverage, accident forgiveness, a common loss deductible, and others.
Auto-Owners also has lots of discounts to help you save money, including savings for good students, safe vehicles, paying in full, bundling, and having no recent claims. To get a car insurance quote and purchase same-day coverage from Auto-Owners, you must contact an independent agent.
Pros
Good selection of car insurance endorsements
Many discounts for potential savings
Superior financial strength rating from AM Best[3]
I had a major claim due to a fire, which was not my fault. They handled it poorly and the complex ended up tearing down my building. They did make a payment, but there was a $10,000 depreciation on my goods.
Erin - April 7, 2024
Verified
Unhappy with Renewal Costs
The premium is ridiculously expensive for the few miles I drive.
Brandy - April 6, 2024
Verified
Fair Prices from a Trustworthy Company
I've had zero issues!
How to get same-day car insurance
The process of getting same-day car insurance is usually quick, especially if you use a car insurance comparison site.
Here’s how you can get same-day auto insurance online:
Gather your information. Before you apply, you should gather the information you’ll need to get the most accurate quotes. This includes your driver’s license number and Social Security number, as well as your vehicle’s VIN and current mileage.
Apply for rate quotes. With your information handy, you can start applying for rate quotes. When you use a quote-comparison site, you’ll submit one application and get matched with quotes from multiple insurers that match your needs.
Compare your quotes. The next step is to compare your personalized car insurance quotes. Keep in mind that the cheapest quote you see might not be the best option. It’s a good idea to research a few insurers based on factors like coverage options, discounts, financial strength, and customer satisfaction.
Purchase the policy. Once you choose an insurer, you can purchase your policy. Most comparison sites will redirect you to the insurance company’s website to complete the process. Make sure to choose the current date as your policy’s effective date. You’ll need to pay at least the first month’s premium before your coverage can begin. Then, you can download your proof of insurance.
Is same-day car insurance legitimate?
Yes, same-day car insurance is legitimate. Same-day car insurance simply means that your car insurance policy starts on the same day that you apply and pay the initial premium.
Same-day car insurance allows you to get coverage instantly rather than a few days or weeks after you apply. There’s no difference in coverage or cost.
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Cheapest companies with same-day insurance
When shopping for same-day car insurance, it’s important to research multiple companies and compare rate quotes. The cheapest same-day car insurance premium you find isn’t necessarily the best option. You should compare insurers based on cost, coverage options, discounts, customer service, and claims satisfaction to ensure you’re picking a reliable one.
In the table below, you can see which companies offer the cheapest same-day car insurance.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
What to watch out for when purchasing same-day insurance
While same-day car insurance can be convenient for some drivers, it has a possible few downsides to consider. Here are three potential risks to watch for when buying same-day auto insurance.
You may miss out on discounts
Some car insurance companies offer discounts that may not be available to drivers who purchase same-day coverage. For example, Auto-Owners offers an “advanced quote” discount to customers who apply for an auto insurance quote before the effective date of the policy. If you want same-day coverage, you won’t be eligible for these types of savings.
You might be limiting your options
Some reputable car insurance companies don’t sell same-day car insurance. If you need same-day coverage, keep in mind that you could be limiting your options. It’s possible that the best car insurance company for your coverage needs and budget doesn’t offer same-day coverage, forcing you to settle for a different insurer.
You could rush into a poor decision
If you need car insurance coverage fast, you might not give yourself enough time to thoroughly research insurers, compare quotes, and make the best decision for your needs. As a result, you could rush into purchasing a policy that isn’t ideal for you. If you need coverage quickly, try to give yourself as much time as possible to choose the best insurer.
4 reasons drivers may be denied same-day car insurance
Not all drivers can qualify for same-day car insurance. Here are some of the most common reasons you might be denied same-day coverage:
You don’t have a Social Security number. You typically need a Social Security number to purchase a car insurance policy. While you don’t always need one to get car insurance, it could prevent you from getting immediate coverage.
You didn’t fill out the application completely. If your car insurance application has any gaps or missing information on it, you may have trouble getting same-day coverage.
You have a problematic driving record. You might not qualify for same-day car insurance if you have a complicated driving record with multiple violations, accidents, or past claims.
You want to insure a rare vehicle. If you want to insure a rare or unique vehicle, like a collector car or an expensive sports car, it might take several days to get approved for car insurance.
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Same-day car insurance FAQs
Same-day car insurance can be a good option for many drivers. Learn more about same-day auto insurance with these questions and answers.
Can you get car insurance for just one day?
No, most car insurance companies won’t insure you for just one day. Usually, car insurance policies come in six-month or 12-month periods. But Hugo allows drivers to purchase insurance for three days at a time, which can be a good option if you need temporary car insurance coverage.
Is same-day insurance more expensive?
Same-day car insurance costs the same as other car insurance policies. Whether you purchase a same-day policy or purchase coverage two weeks before the policy starts, your premium won’t be any different, unless you qualify for certain discounts.
Is same-day car insurance retroactive?
No, same-day car insurance isn’t retroactive. When you purchase a policy, you get to choose what day the coverage starts, but the policy’s effective date can’t be in the past. The coverage you buy today won’t apply to last week or yesterday.
Can you get car insurance with no deposit?
Most reputable car insurance companies require a deposit before your coverage can start. Usually, the minimum deposit is equal to the first month’s premium. But Hugo offers no-down-payment car insurance, which allows you to pay as you go.
Can you get car insurance to start immediately?
Yes, you can get car insurance that starts immediately. In most cases, you can apply, purchase coverage, and begin your policy within minutes. Many insurers also provide digital proof of insurance that you can download right away.
Can you get car insurance online without talking to someone?
Many car insurance companies will sell you a policy without you having to talk to an insurance agent. With companies like State Farm and American Family, the process of purchasing car insurance can happen entirely online. But they have agents available who can answer questions or guide you through the process if you need help.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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