Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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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*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 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 November 21, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Almost every reputable car insurance company will require some sort of deposit or down payment before providing you with coverage. But if you’re strapped for cash, some insurers only require the first month’s premium as a deposit, rather than a separate fee.
You can find other ways to save money on car insurance — including discounts, payment plans, and comparison shopping — to get the lowest rates available to you.
Quick Facts
If you choose to pay for your new car insurance policy in installments, the insurance company will require a down payment to initiate the policy.[1]
Your down payment may be the first month’s premium paid in advance or a percentage of the total premium.
A down payment counts toward your total premium. It’s not an additional fee.
What to know about very cheap car insurance with no deposit
Car insurance with no deposit or down payment doesn’t exist, as insurers don’t want to take on the risk of insuring you without some sort of payment.
The misconception of no-deposit car insurance may come from the differences in down payment amounts among companies and for different drivers. Deposit amounts can vary based on many factors, including the insurance company, your state, driving history, credit history, and more.
For example: Let’s say your insurer last year only required you to pay the first month’s installment as a down payment. But this year, you got into an at-fault accident, and now your new insurer wants more than one month’s premium as a deposit.
You may think the deposit amount is your first month’s premium plus an added fee — but it’s really just a higher percentage of the total premium.[2]
Why do insurance companies require a down payment?
Insurance companies require a down payment because it protects them from significant risk during the first month of the policy. When you sign up for car insurance coverage, your insurer is agreeing to take on financial responsibility for various claims outlined in the policy, so it needs a deposit or down payment to offset that risk.
Is no-deposit car insurance a scam?
You should be wary of any car insurance company offering no-deposit car insurance. No reliable insurance company will give you a policy without some sort of down payment.
Keep an eye out for insurance companies that require the first month’s payment as a deposit rather than a separate charge. They may advertise the policy as “no deposit” or “no down payment car insurance” since the money goes toward your policy costs, but you’ll still need to pay this money before your coverage kicks in.
Important Information
If a company claims to offer true no-deposit or zero-down car insurance without requiring any money up front, it’s likely a scam. No matter where you buy your insurance, it’s smart to read reviews and check ratings before committing to a policy.
Alternative with a low down payment: OCHO
No-deposit car insurance doesn’t exist, but OCHO may be able to help you cover the cost of your down payment or first month’s payment interest-free. Founded in 2021, OCHO is a car insurance agency that works with insurance companies to underwrite policies. And its OCHO Pay product provides zero-interest loans designed to cover some or all of your up-front costs.
You pay back your OCHO Pay loan in small increments every two weeks as part of your regular premium payment. The company reports payments to the credit bureaus, which can help you build credit. But OCHO charges an $80 broker fee, split into payments of about $7 over the term of your policy.
OCHO could be a good option for high-risk drivers and other people who need to make a big first payment on their auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, OCHO is only available in seven states: Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. But the company expects to expand into Georgia and California by the end of the year.
How to lower your down payment
If you want to find the best deal on car insurance and lower your down payment, you can do a few things to save money. Follow these tips to decrease your deposit and monthly premium:
You should always compare car insurance quotes before buying a policy. Every insurer calculates rates differently, and each driver has unique characteristics, such as their location, driving record, and age, so insurance premiums can differ drastically. The cheapest car insurance company for you may be different from the cheapest option for your parents, for example, given their age.
Since most insurers will ask for the first month’s premium as a deposit, finding very cheap car insurance through quote comparison can lower your down payment.
Find Coverage with a Low Down Payment
Minimum-coverage policies start at $16 per month
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Consider pay-as-you-go insurance
Best for: Safe or low-mileage drivers
If you don’t drive much, you may benefit from pay-as-you-go or pay-per-mile insurance. These types of insurance are similar though not entirely the same.
Pay-as-you-go insurance — also known as usage-based insurance — charges you based on how much and how well you drive.[3]Pay-per-mile insurance charges you based on how many miles you drive on top of a base rate.
These types of policies typically have lower down payment requirements. But they’re not without risk. You may not get the same level of coverage as you would with typical full-coverage car insurance. With pay-as-you-go insurance, the insurer can even penalize you for poor driving, so consider how carefully you drive before signing up.
Here are the top insurers for pay-as-you-go car insurance.
Hugo
User Reviews
4.1
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.0 /10
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.
$227/mo
4.1
Best choiceBased on 121 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Hugo
Drivers appreciate the excellent prices, flexible payment options, and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of full coverage and difficulty reaching support.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Micropayments
No down payments
Fast coverage
How drivers feel about Hugo
Drivers appreciate the excellent prices, flexible payment options, and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of full coverage and difficulty reaching support.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Micropayments
No down payments
Fast coverage
Reviews (45)
Javier
November 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Hugo Insurance is the Best
Hugo was wonderful. We paid for car insurance at a good, low price. It was exactly what we needed to look into. Due to our income, paying for two vehicles for less than $100 is an awesome price. Thank you, Hugo. I recommend others to try it out.
Gabrielle
November 2, 2024
Verified Review
Good
The price is amazing.
Dawn
October 21, 2024
Verified Review
Paying Too Much
It's pretty expensive and they don't really provide much coverage.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NR
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NR
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
Why we picked this company
Hugo launched in 2021 and is currently the only insurance company offering on-demand car insurance. Drivers can open a Hugo account without paying a down payment up front. Drivers can choose a policy term of three, seven, 14, or 30 days, or six months, and policyholders can pay smaller amounts more frequently instead of all at once. Drivers also receive instant proof of insurance. Hugo currently only offers state-minimum liability coverage in 13 states. J.D. Power and AM Best have not yet evaluated Hugo’s customer satisfaction or financial strength.
Pros
Short-term policies
No up-front down payment required
Flexible, pay-as-you-go insurance
Cons
Only available in 13 states
Doesn’t offer collision or comprehensive coverage
No discounts available
Metromile
User Reviews
3.9
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.0 /10
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.
$63/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.
$113/mo
3.9
A solid optionBased on 80 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Metromile
Drivers appreciate the helpful customer service, initial low rates, and flexible payment options but dislike the frequent premium increases and poor communication.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Low-mileage drivers
Pay-as-you go car insurance
Robust mobile app
How drivers feel about Metromile
Drivers appreciate the helpful customer service, initial low rates, and flexible payment options but dislike the frequent premium increases and poor communication.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Low-mileage drivers
Pay-as-you go car insurance
Robust mobile app
Reviews (50)
Michael
November 3, 2024
Verified Review
Enjoyed the ride until the rate went sky-high
My payment went up by 50%.
Patrick
October 17, 2024
Verified Review
Stay Away
I used their services for 6 months, and then they raised my policy by 300% for no apparent reason. I believe they operate on a bait and switch type of scam, offering a great price in the beginning and then, bam!
Stephen
October 6, 2024
Verified Review
Great Insurance
Great, just difficult to communicate with someone.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NR
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
3.25
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
Why we picked this company
Owned by Lemondate Insurance, Metromile is a pay-per-mile car insurance company that debuted in San Francisco in 2011. The company tracks customer mileage through an in-car device. Customers pay a monthly rate plus a set amount (usually pennies) for every mile they drive. Low-mileage drivers could realize significant savings with Metromile: the company says customers who drive 2,500 miles or fewer can save about $947 annually. However, the company isn’t rated by A.M. Best, and has more than seven times the number of expected complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.
Pros
Low mileage drivers could realize significant savings
Most full-coverage policies include free pet injury protection for covered claims
Cons
Very high rate of customer complaints
Not available in every state
Mile Auto
User Reviews
4.2
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.5 /10
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.
$56/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.
$95/mo
4.2
Best choiceBased on 53 verified guest reviews and ratings
Reviews (29)
Cookie
October 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Excellent
Low mileage rate.
Tasha
October 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Not pleased
Don't opt for this insurance if you're on a budget. I was unaware that this was a cost-per-mile insurance. I was never informed about it, and now I'm paying an extra $20 for roadside assistance that I thought was included. I had mentioned to the representative that I couldn't afford expensive insurance, yet the cost has increased.
Thomas
October 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
Mixed Review
Mixed. One representative was confusing and couldn't guide me regarding a text I received which stated my payment, which I had been informed had been processed, had actually gone through. To ensure I was covered, I made the payment. The previous representative had been professional and direct. So, I have a mixed reaction.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NR
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NR
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
Why we picked this company
Mile Auto is unlike other auto insurance companies in that it bases rates on the number of miles you drive. The company says low-mileage drivers can save up to 40% compared to a standard policy.
While Mile Auto does require drivers to report mileage, it asks for a photo of your odometer rather than track your driving with a telematics device. Your rate includes a base rate plus the rate for miles driven.
You won’t find an A.M. Best rating for Mile Auto because it doesn’t underwrite its own policies. However, it notes that its underwriter has an “Excellent” rating and its policies are backed by one of the world’s largest reinsurers.
Pros
Low-mileage drivers may see significant savings
You don't have to install a telematics device in your car
Cons
Only available in nine states
No bundling or discount opportunities
Nationwide
User Reviews
4.4
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.7 /10
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.
$83/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.
$182/mo
4.4
Best choiceBased on 782 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Nationwide
Drivers appreciate the excellent coverage, reliable claims process, and good initial rates but dislike the frequent price increases.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
How drivers feel about Nationwide
Drivers appreciate the excellent coverage, reliable claims process, and good initial rates but dislike the frequent price increases.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
Reviews (441)
Richard
November 7, 2024
Verified Review
Excellent Company
Nationwide appears to be an excellent company. I have recommended this company to several of my friends. My daughter and her husband have also taken out policies and are very satisfied with this company. Thank you.
Irene
November 4, 2024
Verified Review
Sorry to be leaving you, Nationwide.
I used Nationwide for 32 years. I understand that insurance prices are going up, however, due to my limited income, I can no longer afford to stay with Nationwide.
Sara
November 1, 2024
Verified Review
Very Good!
The customer service is very good. They explain things well and make it easy to understand.
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.64
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).
A+
Why we picked this company
Nationwide offers one of the most widely available pay-per-mile car insurance programs. SmartMiles allows low-mileage drivers to pay a monthly base rate plus a per-mile charge each month. You participate in the program either with a telematics device that goes in your car or with an eligible connected car.
Pros
Available in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York, and Oklahoma
10% renewal discount available for safe driving behavior
Cons
Requires telematics tracking
Poor driving habits could negatively affect your rates
Ask for discounts
Best for: Most drivers
Most car insurance companies offer a variety of car insurance discounts. Consider your situation and which offers you may qualify for, such as good student, loyalty, clean driving record, and defensive driving discounts. Ask your insurance agent to check for you, or research an insurer’s website to learn which discounts it offers.
Reduce car insurance coverage
Best for: Low-risk drivers, drivers with no financing costs
Consider reducing your coverage level. Liability car insurance costs significantly less than full coverage. But it won’t cover damages from collisions or weather damage.
Liability coverage is only good for people who don’t drive frequently or can afford to pay vehicle expenses out of pocket. If you drive a lot and wouldn’t be able to pay for significant vehicle repairs, you should probably carry full coverage. If you took out a loan to pay for your car or lease it, your lender or leasing company will require you to carry full coverage anyway.
The following table illustrates the difference in coverage costs among top insurers, according to Insurify data.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, November 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
No-deposit car insurance FAQs
If you’re on a budget, it’s possible to find affordable car insurance. Here’s some additional information that might help as you research different policies to find the best rates.
Do all car insurance companies require a deposit or down payment?
Yes. All reputable insurers require some form of payment up front before you can get coverage. This is a way for insurers to reduce risk. You can expect to pay a lump sum that covers a down payment or your first monthly payment.
Which auto insurance companies don’t require a down payment?
Every car insurance company requires a down payment in the form of the first month’s premium. But many car insurance companies don’t require a secondary deposit on top of the initial premium, including:
This list is not exhaustive, so it’s a good idea to contact a car insurance company directly if you have questions about its down payment requirements.
Which companies have the cheapest car insurance?
COUNTRY Financial, NJM, and Auto-Owners have the lowest car insurance rates, according to Insurify data. But not every driver may be able to get coverage from these companies.
If you’re on a tight budget, it pays to shop around for affordable rates and cheap car insurance. State Farm and GEICO are two nationally available insurance companies that offer some of the cheapest policies, so getting quotes from them is certainly a good start.
Every driver is unique — rates depend on different factors, like your driving record, credit history, and ZIP code. Good drivers typically pay lower rates, while senior drivers and young drivers may pay more. You may find cheaper insurance with another company, so always compare quotes from multiple insurers before buying a policy.
Sarah Archambault enjoys helping people figure out how to manage their finances and credit. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans. Her work has been featured on Credit Karma, Experian, LendingClub, Sound Dollar and USA Today Blueprint. She also writes for national insurers, banks and financial institutions like Aetna, MassMutual, Stripe, and UnitedHealthcare.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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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