How to Buy Temporary Car Insurance
Most reputable car insurance companies won’t sell policies for less than six months. But it’s possible to find short-term, temporary coverage.
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Written byJamie Johnson
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6 years experience in personal finance writing
Featured on Credit Karma and Insider
Jamie is a meticulous researcher who has published 2,000+ personal finance articles. Her expertise is trusted by major brands like Bankrate and Rocket Mortgage.
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Edited bySarah Archambault
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Experienced personal finance writer
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.
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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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.
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Table of contents
Temporary car insurance provides coverage for a short time — anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks or months. You may benefit from purchasing a temporary auto policy if you’re renting a car or adding a student driver to your insurance.
Most insurers don’t offer policies for less than six months, but newer companies like Hugo offer pay-as-you-go policies for infrequent drivers. Be sure to understand your options when it comes to short-term car insurance. Comparing quotes is the best way to find a policy that meets your needs.
Quick Facts
Short-term car insurance may be available for as little as one day.
Pay-as-you-go insurance provides usage-based coverage with rates based on actual mileage and driving habits.
You don’t always need insurance when driving someone else’s car, but if you’re planning to drive it often, consider non-owner insurance.
Four temporary car insurance options
When it comes to temporary car insurance, you have four main options. The best one for you depends on your situation and budget. For example, pay-as-you-go insurance suits drivers who are on the road infrequently, while rental car insurance covers drivers who rent vehicles often.
Consider how each policy works to make the best choice for your needs.
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Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for infrequent drivers
Pay-as-you-go insurance is a type of car insurance that bases rates on how many miles you drive in a month. With this type of policy, you pay a low daily or monthly base rate and an additional rate for each mile you drive.
Many of these programs use telematics to monitor how many miles you drive. Some insurers also monitor your driving behaviors and offer you a bigger discount for following safe driving habits.
Low-mileage drivers often see significant savings with pay-as-you-go car insurance. But it generally only makes sense if you drive less than 10,000 miles per year and are a safe driver.[1]
Hugo is a good choice for pay-as-you-go insurance thanks to the company’s flexible payment options. You can buy coverage for a few days, weeks, or months at a time and only pay when you drive. But Hugo only offers state-minimum liability coverage in 13 states, so if you need full coverage, higher liability limits, or live outside its coverage area, you won’t be able to use 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 /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. | $208/mo |
4.1
Best choiceBased on 145 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Hugo
Drivers appreciate the pay-as-you-go option and affordability but dislike the lack of full coverage and poor customer service.
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 pay-as-you-go option and affordability but dislike the lack of full coverage and poor customer service.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Micropayments
No down payments
Fast coverage
Reviews (57)
Andrea
April 15, 2025
Verified Review
Excellent
Hugo is awesome.
Donna
April 2, 2025
Verified Review
No Thanks
In my experience, Hugo is an option for people who are struggling. However, it seems to exploit those who are struggling because the insurance only covers the minimum requirements. This means that the policyholder will be fully responsible and have to pay out of pocket for anything that goes wrong with the vehicle.
Rebekah
March 18, 2025
Verified Review
Never Able to Speak with Customer Service, So I Switched!
I was never able to speak with someone, so I switched!
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NRNAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NRA.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).
NRWhy 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
Pay-as-you-go insurance vs. standard insurance
Most insurance companies that offer pay-as-you-go insurance charge a daily or monthly rate along with a per-mile rate. Here are some top insurers that offer pay-as-you-go insurance.
Company  | Rate | Availability | 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. | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate (Milewise) | Daily rate + per-mile rate | AZ, DE, ID, IL, IN, MD, MN, MO, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, VA, WA, WI, and WV | 8.9 | Overall |
| Nationwide (SmartMiles) | Monthly base rate + per-mile rate | Everywhere but AK, HI, LA, NC, NY, and OK | 8.7 | Wide availability |
| Hugo | On-demand | AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, MS, OH, PA, SC, TN, and TX | 7.0 | Flexibility |
| Metromile | Base rate + per-mile rate | AZ, CA, IL, NJ, OR, PA, VA, and WA | 7.0 | Families |
| Mile Auto | Monthly base rate + per-mile rate | AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, and WI | 7.5 | Ease of use |
| Noblr (USAA) | Monthly fixed rate + monthly variable rate | AZ, CO, GA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MO, NV, NM, OH, PA, TX, VA, and WI | N/A | Military community |
Our editorial team spent more than 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. The team weighted criteria 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 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses 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 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider 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 U.S., 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 scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Non-owner car insurance: Best for driving a vehicle you don’t own
A non-owner policy provides coverage when you’re driving a vehicle you don’t own. For example, non-owner car insurance is often a good choice when borrowing a friend or family member’s vehicle for a period of time.
This type of policy provides liability coverage for any injuries or property damage resulting from an accident you cause. You can also add medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
These policies usually have six-month or one-year terms, but you can cancel at any time. Non-owner insurance tends to be less expensive than standard auto insurance. If you’re interested in exploring this option, several major insurers offer non-owner policies, including GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, and Liberty Mutual.
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for low-mileage drivers
With pay-per-mile car insurance, your monthly payment is based on how many miles you drive. This policy can be a good option for low-mileage drivers looking to save money on car insurance. For example, if you work from home and spend very little time driving, a pay-per-mile policy could cut down on your auto insurance costs.
Your insurer tracks the number of miles you drive using either a telematics device in your vehicle or a smartphone app. The device reports collected data to your insurance company, along with information about your driving habits.
Keep in Mind
Pay-per-mile car insurance offers more control over your car insurance costs since you can choose to spend less time driving in order to save. But pay-per-mile insurance isn’t available in every state, and it often costs more than standard insurance if your mileage increases. Allstate, Nationwide, and Metromile all offer pay-per-mile policies.
Rental car insurance: Best for frequent travelers
If you rent a car frequently, you can benefit from rental car insurance — especially if you don’t have your own auto insurance policy. You can sometimes use rental car insurance for international rentals. You can often purchase rental car insurance when booking your rental vehicle online or at the rental counter when picking up the car.
Can you get car insurance for one day?
No, you can’t typically get insurance for one day unless you’re buying rental insurance for a one-day rental. Most insurers offer policies ranging from six months to one year, but Hugo does offer coverage starting at three days.
When you might need temporary car insurance
You may need temporary car insurance for a variety of reasons. For example, insurance comes in handy if you’re going to borrow a friend or family member’s car or are renting a vehicle.
Insurance coverages such as permissive use, rental, and non-owner policies are all good ways to get car insurance temporarily, depending on what you need it for.
You’re driving someone else’s car
You can often rely on your friend or family member’s insurance when you borrow their car, as long as you have permission to drive it. This is known as permissive coverage. It’s a good option if you plan to drive occasionally. But if you intend to use the car more frequently, consider having them add you to the policy or purchasing a non-owner policy.[2]
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Someone else will drive your car for a short period
The concept of permissive coverage also applies when you lend someone your vehicle. For coverage, you must have a current auto insurance policy and grant permission to the driver. But if you’re unsure about your policy’s coverage or want an added layer of protection, consider asking the borrower to purchase their own temporary insurance.
You have a student driver on your policy
You can typically add dependents learning to drive, like your children, to your policy. While your premium might increase, adding a student driver to your current plan is typically cheaper than purchasing a separate policy.[3]
Ask your agent about discounts for good students, recent graduates, and students away at school.
You’re renting a car
Rental car insurance covers you when you rent a car and don’t have your own car insurance. You can purchase rental car insurance through the rental car company. Coverage requirements vary by state but usually include collision and liability coverage.
Car rental companies usually offer a collision damage waiver. But the waiver only covers damages to the rental car and excludes liability coverage. Some credit card companies offer the coverage for free — so if you plan to pay for the rental with a credit card, check your card’s benefits.[4]
You’re traveling internationally
Car insurance policies typically cover American citizens driving in Canada. But if you plan to drive to Mexico, you must purchase a separate policy.
You’ll also need a separate policy if you drive in any other country, even if the country’s laws don’t require it. Your domestic car insurance policy won’t cover you internationally, so without insurance, you could expose yourself to financial liability if you get into an accident. Check with your current insurer about adding international coverage.
Good to Know
International tourists visiting America typically need insurance to drive in the U.S. — along with a valid driver’s license. Some international licenses might be valid, but be sure to check local laws.
Your car is going into storage
Cars in storage aren’t legally required to be insured — as long as you don’t put them on the road. But storage insurance helps protect against theft and vandalism. If you need short-term insurance for a stored vehicle like a classic car, consider comprehensive coverage. Check with your insurance company to see whether it lets you drop other parts of your coverage to save money on your premium.
Temporary car insurance FAQs
If you’re still not sure whether you need temporary car insurance, this additional information may help.
Is temporary car insurance legit?
Temporary car insurance advertised to last less than six months may not be legitimate, and you should proceed with caution when dealing with companies offering such policies. Most insurance companies sell policies that last at least six months. Hugo Insurance is one exception.
Can you get month-to-month car insurance?
Hugo is a legitimate company that sells short-term coverage. Most insurance companies don’t offer month-to-month car insurance. But it’s possible to get a six- or 12-month car insurance policy and cancel once you no longer need it. Some insurers charge a cancellation fee, but it’s usually minimal and less than what you’d pay if you kept the policy active.
Do you need insurance to drive someone else’s car?
Not necessarily. With permissive use, the owner permits you to drive their car and their insurance often covers you. But the car owner can also add you to their insurance policy for long-term coverage if you drive the car regularly and live at the same address. Or you can purchase a separate non-owner auto insurance policy.
Does GEICO offer temporary car insurance?
GEICO offers a non-owner liability policy, which can provide coverage if you’re using a rental car or borrowing a friend’s car. GEICO’s policies typically range from six months to one year.
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Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Pay-as-you drive auto insurance (telematics)."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Rental car insurance."
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Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer whose work has been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance. For the past six years, she's dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.
Jamie has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
Edited bySarah Archambault
Experienced personal finance writer
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.
Featured in
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.