How to Get Auto Insurance on the Weekend
Many insurers let you buy car insurance online 24/7 — including weekends — so you can get proof of coverage the same day you buy a car.
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Written byAly J. Yale
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Aly J. YaleHome and Auto Insurance Writer, Real Estate Expert
National Association of Real Estate Editors member
Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
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Reviewed byJohn Leach
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John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
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Quick Facts
You can purchase car insurance on the weekend through most major insurers.
You need insurance instantly after buying a car to meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements, registration requirements, and financing requirements (if applicable).
Knowing your vehicle identification number (VIN) and driver’s license number can speed up the process on the weekend.
Can you buy car insurance on the weekend?
Yes, you can buy car insurance on the weekend. Many major insurers allow you to purchase car insurance 24/7 online or via a mobile app. Some insurers may also have local agents working weekends who can help you purchase or update your policy when buying a new car, though their hours could be more limited.
Mobile apps and websites simplify the car insurance buying process. Many insurers show you near-instant quotes and start coverage as soon as you purchase.
If you already have a car insurance policy, your insurer may offer a grace period (often of one week or more) to update your coverage to reflect your new vehicle.
Shop for Car Insurance on the Weekend
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How to get car insurance on Saturday or Sunday
Here’s how to get car insurance on the weekend in a few simple steps:
1. Gather your information (VIN, driver’s license, vehicle information, address)
You’ll need some basic info to start or update your policy, including:[1]
The vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can find in the new car’s paperwork and also on the driver’s side doorjamb and the dashboard
Your driver’s license
Vehicle information, such as the year, make, model, and trim, and any relevant safety features
Your address
2. Compare quotes online
Research the best car insurance companies to compare car insurance rates online. Use an online insurance-comparison site to get multiple insurance quotes and compare your car insurance options in one place.
3. Choose coverage limits
Research your state’s minimum car insurance coverage limits, but also consider additional coverage options you may need. If financing your car through a lender, you might need to carry full-coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage.[2] You’ll also need to choose a deductible for your auto insurance policy.
4. Purchase the policy
You can typically purchase a standard policy online and start it immediately. This may be necessary to drive the vehicle off the lot.
5. Download proof of insurance
You can request insurance cards via mail, but in the meantime, download digital proof of insurance. Many car insurance companies offer this feature in their mobile apps.
Best insurance companies for weekend coverage
If you need car insurance this weekend, here are three of the best companies for new-vehicle owners.
Nationwide: Best for online service
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|
4.2
Best choiceBased on 1,008 verified driver reviews and ratings
Nationwide's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.7 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.5 | 2.9 |
How drivers feel about Nationwide
Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.
Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 522 Nationwide reviews
Verified Review
Reviewed in North Carolina on July 16, 2026
It’s really too high for our age, considering we haven’t had tickets, DUIs, or a claim filed in over 20 years.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Virginia on July 14, 2026
I have no complaints about our car insurance company.
Verified Review
Reviewed in South Carolina on July 13, 2026
It’s average for the year of my car; however, I think the premium could be lower.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
641
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.7
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 has one of the easiest-to-use websites for getting car insurance on the weekend, offering quick quotes and a smooth purchasing process.
Pros
Second-highest J.D. Power rating for digital experience
Can get quotes and purchase a policy 24/7, including weekends
Top mobile-app ratings for easy weekend purchases
Cons
Not available in every U.S. state
More expensive than other top-rated competitors
High rates for teen drivers and drivers with tickets
GEICO: Best for mobile service
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.2 /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. | $79/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. | $146/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 19,539 verified driver reviews and ratings
GEICO's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.0 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.8 | 2.9 |
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 7,948 GEICO reviews
Verified Review
Reviewed in Nevada on July 15, 2026
Premiums have gone way up.
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in North Carolina on July 15, 2026
Cheapest I could find.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Florida on July 15, 2026
No problems with claims.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
637
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59
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
GEICO offers a seamless online and in-app purchasing experience. If you need coverage in a matter of minutes for a weekend car purchase, GEICO makes it stress free.
Pros
Can get a quote and purchase coverage at any time
Highly rated mobile app for seamless weekend purchases
Third-highest J.D. Power rating for digital experience
Cons
Rideshare coverage not available
No new-car replacement coverage
Low Trustpilot customer rating
State Farm: Best for personalized service
| 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. | 9.3 /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. | $52/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. | $105/mo |
4.1
Best choiceBased on 19,682 verified driver reviews and ratings
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.3 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 7,789 State Farm reviews
Verified Review
Reviewed in Alabama on July 16, 2026
They were great until they started charging me double and adding a late fee. I wasn’t late until I couldn’t figure out why they were charging me $200 and something on a $105 policy. Then they wouldn’t remove the late fees, so they kept adding up. I still paid the $211.89 insurance cost on a $105.00 policy, but my insurance was still somehow always late. Anyway, it should have been a month ahead, not late.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Georgia on July 16, 2026
It was okay, but very expensive.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Missouri on July 15, 2026
So far, so good.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
657
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.84
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
State Farm has 19,000 agents across the country who can match you with the best car insurance. Many may offer weekend hours, especially if you notify them in advance.
Pros
Wide network of agents available to help on weekends
Highly rated mobile app for weekend purchases
High customer satisfaction ratings
Cons
Gap insurance not available
Some agents may not work weekends
Stricter good driver discounts
To help drivers find affordable coverage that works for them, we compiled thousands of insurance company reviews from verified customers. We’ve also put in hundreds of hours analyzing industry rating organizations like AM Best and J.D. Power to create our proprietary Insurify Quality Score.
Ways to buy car insurance on the weekend
You have multiple ways to buy weekend car insurance, including on an insurer’s website, via their mobile app, or through an independent insurance agent. If all else fails, the car dealership should be able to refer you to an insurer, but make sure such insurance costs are comparable to what you’ll find elsewhere.
Method | Best For | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Online insurer website | Fastest coverage | 24/7 |
| Mobile app | Existing customers | 24/7 |
| Independent agent | Personalized help | Limited weekend hours |
| Dealership referral | Convenience | During dealership hours |
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Full-coverage policies average $186 per month
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4.7 out of 5 based on 15,820 reviews
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Common issues when buying car insurance on the weekend
You may encounter issues when buying car insurance on the weekend, such as:
Delayed underwriting review: Auto insurance companies can typically offer a policy instantly. But underwriting might take longer if the company encounters issues verifying your driving record, if you have a more complex risk profile, or if you’re buying a specialty vehicle.
VIN lookup issues: If the insurer has trouble looking up your VIN, it may delay the process. Make sure you enter the VIN correctly.
Payment verification: If the insurer experiences issues with your payment, anticipate a delay in coverage. Your policy won’t start until the insurer has processed the payment.
Coverage effective-date mistakes: When purchasing a policy, you’ll enter the date you want coverage to begin. If you accidentally enter the wrong date, the insurer may delay your coverage.
Limited customer service hours: If you want to speak with an agent on the phone, you may have trouble buying auto insurance on the weekend, especially if you want to go with a local or regional insurer.
Weekend car insurance FAQs
Learn more about buying car insurance on the weekend with these answers to frequently asked questions.
Can you get car insurance on a Sunday?
Yes. You can get car insurance on a Sunday. Often, the easiest way to buy car insurance on the weekend is online or through an insurer’s mobile app.
What information do you need to buy car insurance on the weekend?
To buy car insurance on the weekend, you’ll need your vehicle’s VIN, info about the car itself (year, make, model, trim), your address, and your driver’s license number.
How quickly does weekend car insurance coverage start?
Most major car insurance companies offer same-day coverage. That means you can purchase a policy that starts immediately that weekend.
How long does it take to get car insurance online?
You can buy car insurance online in only a few minutes if you have all the correct information and there are no underwriting issues. This is helpful when purchasing a car online, as you’ll need the proper liability coverage to meet your state’s requirements before driving it off the lot.
Can you get same-day proof of insurance?
Yes. You can get same-day proof of insurance from many major car insurers. Purchase a policy online to have peace of mind before getting behind the wheel of a new car.
Do dealerships require proof of insurance before you leave?
Usually, yes. Dealerships often require proof of insurance before you leave, typically to ensure you meet state requirements for bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. Your existing policy should work for this purpose, but if you don’t have car insurance currently, you’ll need to purchase a policy the day you buy the car.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "What information do I need to give to my agent or company?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "8 questions to ask before buying auto insurance."
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Aly J. YaleHome and Auto Insurance Writer, Real Estate Expert
National Association of Real Estate Editors member
Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News
Featured in
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Featured in