Temporary Car Insurance in New York (2025)
Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and Progressive are the best insurers for New York drivers looking for temporary coverage.
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Written byJacqueline DeMarco
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13+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Insurance, lending, and retirement expert
Jacqueline has contributed content, and her personal finance passion, to dozens of noteworthy financial brands, including Credit Karma, Bankrate, and MagnifyMoney.
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Edited bySara Getman
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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Table of contents
Table of contents
A standard car insurance policy term lasts for six months or one year, and the average cost of car insurance in New York state is $400 per month. But plenty of drivers only need occasional coverage or want a shorter term.
Be wary of companies advertising one-day or weeklong policies. While these short-term plans are becoming more common, they’re still rare. Always research the company before choosing a policy.
In New York, you must have a valid insurance policy when behind the wheel, so it’s important to maintain coverage no matter how much you drive.[1] Here’s what you should know about temporary car insurance in New York.
Quick Facts
New York drivers pay an average liability premium of $344 per month.
Not all insurers offer short-term or temporary car insurance policies, so it’s important to check before securing a policy.
You can cancel your auto insurance if you only need it for a short term, but you may have to pay cancellation fees, and your rates may increase with your next insurer.
Best temporary car insurance in New York
To help drivers find the best temporary car insurance in New York, Insurify data scientists compared auto insurance companies that offer affordable rates and quality service. Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and Progressive are top picks, and comparing coverage from these three is a good place to start.
Travelers: Best for non-owner policies
| User Reviews | 4.7 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.0 /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. | $92/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. | $190/mo |
4.7
Best choiceBased on 837 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Travelers
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
Gap insurance
Rideshare coverage
How drivers feel about Travelers
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they ’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
Gap insurance
Rideshare coverage
Reviews (439)
Mary Ann
March 24, 2025
Verified Review
Overall Good
They were good, but they became too expensive after my accident. I found a more reasonable rate with another company.
Larry
March 23, 2025
Verified Review
Good Company
While their rates continue to rise, they are still more affordable than any other company. Fortunately, I haven't had to file a claim yet.
Arlette
March 22, 2025
Verified Review
Good
The insurance is good but it's too pricey.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
822NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.94A.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
If you live in New York City, you probably use public transportation for your commute and don’t drive often. But there may be times when you need a rental car or want to borrow your friend’s car. Travelers offers non-owner policies that are more affordable than a standard policy. That way, you can still maintain the required coverage when you want to drive, while not paying for a standard policy.
Pros
Many available discounts
Bundling available
Cons
Some discounts not available in New York state
More expensive than competitors
Liberty Mutual: Best for same-day coverage
| User Reviews | 3.7 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 7.7 /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. | $124/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. | $294/mo |
3.7
A solid optionBased on 2,838 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Liberty Mutual
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
New and financed vehicles
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about Liberty Mutual
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
New and financed vehicles
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (1,658)
Mari
March 24, 2025
Verified Review
Not good
The service is poor. They don't offer any loyalty rewards.
Stacie
March 23, 2025
Verified Review
I Like Liberty Mutual, I Just Can't Afford Them
Don't be late making your payments.
Christopher
March 23, 2025
Verified Review
Rates Creep Up Dramatically
It's very pricey, especially after the initial discount.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
798NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
3.95A.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).
AWhy we picked this company
Many drivers seeking short-term coverage need a policy quickly — such as when traveling or borrowing a car at the last minute. For people in a rush, Liberty Mutual can provide a reliable auto insurance policy the same day they apply. This could come in handy if you don’t normally drive but need last-minute coverage.
Pros
Same-day coverage available
Only buy as much coverage as you need
Cons
Many negative Better Business Bureau (BBB) reviews
Low-mileage discount requires a telematics device
Progressive: Best for usage-based insurance
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 811 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 8.4 /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. | $240/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. | $370/mo |
How drivers feel about Progressive
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
How drivers feel about Progressive
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
Reviews (6,435)
Ray
March 24, 2025
Verified Review
My New Car
It seems expensive, but they have a good reputation for customer service.
Amanda
March 24, 2025
Verified Review
It's Progressive... Run!
It's not good. They raise the insurance every six months when I have to renew. They don't care about you, just their money. I've been with them for a long time and they still charge me more than they should, despite me having a clean record and being single with no other insurance claims.
Larry
March 24, 2025
Verified Review
Horrible. The quote that appeared on your website was not honored. Their quote was almost $500 more. The first representative I spoke to was very nice, but she couldn't explain why it was higher. She transferred me to another department, which still wouldn't tell me why, other than there was something in our records that wasn't covered in the first quote. We haven’t had any tickets or accidents and they won’t disclose why the rate went up from our online quote. When the second representative transferred me back to the original department, I was treated very poorly by a male representative - he was very rude. We are platinum Progressive customers but we are considering changing that. Your site definitely did not simplify my search. My husband has always handled this.
Horrible. The quote that appeared on your website was not honored. Their quote was almost $500 more. The first representative I spoke to was very nice, but she couldn't explain why it was higher. She transferred me to another department, which still wouldn't tell me why, other than there was something in our records that wasn't covered in the first quote. We haven’t had any tickets or accidents and they won’t disclose why the rate went up from our online quote. When the second representative transferred me back to the original department, I was treated very poorly by a male representative - he was very rude. We are platinum Progressive customers but we are considering changing that. Your site definitely did not simplify my search. My husband has always handled this.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
811NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.82A.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
Many low-mileage drivers may be interested in usage-based insurance. Progressive’s Snapshot program allows drivers to customize their rate based on how they drive, how often, and how many miles. You can even secure a discount for signing up. Whether you live in the city or work from home in the suburbs or upstate, usage-based insurance from Progressive may be a great option for cheaper coverage.
Pros
Easy sign-on process for Snapshot
Decent customer satisfaction score in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Cons
Low average Trustpilot score and many negative reviews
Rates may increase quicker from high-risk driving
To find the best car insurance in New York for short-term policies, our team evaluated a handful of major car insurance companies in the state. The goal of our research was to find auto insurance companies that offer affordable rates and a wide variety of coverage types. We also took customer reviews, Insurify Quality (IQ) Score, J.D. Power score, AM Best rating, potential discounts, and other factors into consideration.
Cheapest short-term car insurance in New York
While many different factors can influence the cost of car insurance premiums — such as driver age, vehicle type, and driving record — understanding what average costs look like can help you while shopping for short-term car insurance.[2] On average, car insurance costs $400 per month in New York state.
The following table highlights the average monthly rate of some popular car insurance companies in New York.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 13 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| CSAA | $101 |
| Liberty Mutual | $124 |
| Progressive | $240 |
| Erie | $324 |
| USAA | $337 |
| Bristol West | $450 |
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.
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Options for temporary car insurance
If you need temporary car insurance, you have to find the right policy for your unique situation. You have a few popular options to choose from if you need a short-term policy.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for telecommuters
Pay-as-you-go car insurance calculates premiums based on miles driven. These policies typically adjust per-mile rates according to the driver’s risk factors, like age, driving record, and location. This model offers benefits for low-mileage drivers, allowing them to save compared to traditional flat-rate policies. It also provides an incentive to drive less, which can lower accident risk and emissions.
But this auto insurance policy type has drawbacks, including limited availability in some regions and higher costs for people who drive frequently. Tracking mileage can also require telematics devices or apps, which make some consumers uncomfortable due to privacy concerns.
Pay-as-you-go insurance is becoming increasingly popular as large numbers of workers ditch their long commutes in favor of remote work.
Non-owner car insurance: Best for drivers with borrowed cars
Non-owner car insurance makes it possible to drive a car you don’t own but still maintain coverage. This type of policy covers bodily injury and property damage that the driver might cause, but it doesn’t typically include coverage for vehicle repairs or injuries to the policyholder. It’s especially useful for people who frequently rent cars, borrow friends’ or family members’ vehicles, or drive for work-related purposes.
This form of short-term insurance can be beneficial if the car owner’s policy has low liability coverage limits or if the driver’s use of the car falls outside the owner’s policy conditions. Liberty Mutual, Progressive, USAA, and Travelers all offer this type of coverage in New York.
Non-owner insurance policies are typically more affordable than a standard liability or full-coverage policy.
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for homebodies
A pay-per-mile car insurance policy adjusts your car insurance rate based on how many miles you drive. If you work from home or live in a walkable neighborhood, you may still want to have a car on hand but might not need to drive it very often.
These policies are similar to pay-as-you-go policies without driving behavior tracking, and they’re more difficult to find in New York. A pay-per-mile auto insurance policy may suit you well and allow you to save when you keep your mileage low.
But if you decide to drive your car more often, be prepared for an increased car insurance bill.
Rental car insurance: Best for travelers
If your preferred method of travel is to hit the open road, rental car insurance might be the right fit for your auto insurance needs. You have a few options available to you when it comes time to buy a rental car insurance policy. This policy type is available through rental car companies, car-sharing programs, and peer-to-peer car services.
Before you buy a rental car insurance policy, double-check with your current car insurance company or credit card issuer to see if you already have coverage.[3]
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Pros and cons of temporary car insurance
When deciding whether or not a temporary car insurance policy is the right move, consider both the pros and cons of this policy type.
Pros
Flexible coverage
More affordable
Easy enrollment
Cons
Limited availability with insurers
May cause a coverage lapse
Not comprehensive coverage
Temporary car insurance in New York FAQs
To help you find the perfect fit, here’s some additional information that can shed more light on how temporary car insurance in New York state works.
Can you get temporary insurance in New York?
Sort of. Drivers in New York state must have a valid form of car insurance that meets state coverage standards to drive legally — whether that be a more traditional policy or a temporary policy.
If you’re looking for car insurance that will last less than six months (most policy terms range from six months to one year), a non-owner, pay-per-mile, or pay-as-you-go car insurance policy may be a good solution.
How long can you go without car insurance in New York?
You can’t legally drive in New York without an active auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum-coverage requirements. You can run into big trouble with the law and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if you’re caught driving without car insurance. The DMV may suspend your vehicle registration or driver’s license. If you only need car insurance for a shorter period of time, consider a temporary car insurance policy instead of a more comprehensive plan.
Is temporary insurance legit?
If you purchase a temporary car insurance policy from a legitimate car insurance company, your policy is likely safe and reliable. But be wary of companies advertising one-day or weeklong policies. While these services are becoming more popular in the U.S., it’s still not a common product, so it ’s important to research the company before binding a policy.
It’s always a good idea to consider customer reviews and complaints on the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot website to learn more about the customer experience.
What is an example of temporary insurance?
An example of temporary insurance is a non-owner car insurance policy. Non-owner car insurance offers liability insurance protection for accidents you cause while driving a car you don’t own. It can help if the owner’s insurance doesn’t fully cover damages or if their coverage is denied.
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
- 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.
Sources
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Jacqueline DeMarco
During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.
Jacqueline has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.