What to Know About Six-Month Car Insurance Policies
Six-month car insurance policies are more flexible than 12-month policies. After six months, you can renew your policy or switch insurers.
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Written byJessica Martel
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Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Jessica has been a contributor at Insurify since July 2023.
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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
Six-month car insurance is exactly what it sounds like: Coverage that lasts for a six-month term. While six-month coverage is also known as temporary or short-term car insurance, it’s a standard time period for an insurance policy. Another common term length is a 12-month policy.
The benefit of a six-month auto policy is its flexibility. With a shorter policy term, you have the ability to change insurers sooner if you’re unhappy with your coverage or if you find a better rate.
Here’s what you need to know about six-month car insurance to see if it’s the right option for you.
Quick Facts
COUNTRY Financial, NJM, and Auto-Owners offer the cheapest rates for six-month insurance coverage.
With a six-month policy, you can get cheaper rates sooner if a traffic violation comes off your record.
You can either pay your six-month policy in full or in monthly installments.
Cheapest six-month car insurance companies
COUNTRY Financial, New Jersey Manufacturers (NJM), and Auto-Owners offer some of the cheapest auto insurance for a six-month term.
The table below shows how rates vary by company and policy type.
Insurance Company  | Six-Month Full-Coverage Policy | Six-Month Liability-Only Policy |
|---|---|---|
| COUNTRY Financial | $264 | $120 |
| NJM | $342 | $216 |
| Auto-Owners | $492 | $228 |
| Erie | $570 | $342 |
| Root | $588 | $378 |
| USAA | $600 | $276 |
| Mile Auto | $642 | $342 |
| State Farm | $696 | $324 |
| GEICO | $714 | $324 |
| Metromile | $720 | $462 |
| Safeco | $756 | $408 |
| Allstate | $828 | $372 |
| CSAA | $852 | $540 |
| Progressive | $858 | $486 |
| Clearcover | $864 | $528 |
| Mercury | $924 | $504 |
| National General | $1,032 | $468 |
| American Family | $1,044 | $462 |
| Elephant | $1,068 | $594 |
| The Hartford | $1,086 | $696 |
| Nationwide | $1,116 | $510 |
| State Auto | $1,176 | $582 |
| Travelers | $1,182 | $540 |
| Direct Auto | $1,188 | $588 |
| Shelter | $1,194 | $660 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,230 | $582 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $1,260 | $720 |
| Dairyland | $1,386 | $504 |
| The General | $1,482 | $690 |
| Farmers | $1,494 | $666 |
| Chubb | $1,506 | $696 |
| GAINSCO | $1,590 | $726 |
| 21st Century | $1,620 | $738 |
| Anchor | $1,620 | $624 |
| Foremost | $1,668 | $822 |
| Bristol West | $1,734 | $774 |
| Amica | $1,740 | $1,062 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $1,848 | $708 |
| Infinity | $1,968 | $1,200 |
| Hugo | N/A | $1,176 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Best companies for six-month car insurance
The best policy for you depends on your needs, policy type, and budget. Below are Insurify’s top six-month car insurers: COUNTRY Financial, New Jersey Manufacturers, and USAA.
COUNTRY Financial: Best for your budget
| User Reviews | 3.6 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.1 /10 |
3.6
A solid optionBased on 48 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Country Financial
Customers appreciate the prompt claims service and personal touch but are frustrated by the constant rate increases and lack of discounts.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Good claims process
High customer satisfaction
How drivers feel about Country Financial
Customers appreciate the prompt claims service and personal touch but are frustrated by the constant rate increases and lack of discounts.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Good claims process
High customer satisfaction
Reviews (30)
Nan
March 30, 2025
Verified Review
Good
I would like my representative to return my calls. My coverage has been average.
Donna
March 12, 2025
Verified Review
Ok
The policy is good, but it's too pricey.
Ida-Marie F
December 16, 2024
Verified Review
Good Company
They are honorable and pay our claims promptly.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
868NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.44A.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
Full coverage: $264
Liability only: $120
COUNTRY Financial offers some of the cheapest average six-month premiums. The insurer also has a wide range of discounts, including a multi-policy discount which can save you up to 30% when you bundle auto insurance with other coverages. New drivers can take advantage of COUNTRY Financial’s Simply Drive course, which allows teens to qualify for a teen driver discount of up to 10%.
Pros
High J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
Savings of up to 30% when you bundle insurance
AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior)
Cons
Must speak to insurance agent to get a quote
Available in only 19 states
Gap insurance not available
NJM: Best for claims satisfaction
| 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. | 9 /10 |
3.9
A solid optionBased on 73 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about NJ Manufacturers
Drivers appreciate the friendly service and efficient claim handling but dislike the significant rate increases and overall high prices.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
New Jersey drivers
Good claims process
Robust discounts
How drivers feel about NJ Manufacturers
Drivers appreciate the friendly service and efficient claim handling but dislike the significant rate increases and overall high prices.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
New Jersey drivers
Good claims process
Robust discounts
Reviews (14)
Thomas
May 28, 2025
Verified Review
NJM good company except for price
It's all about the price. A 20% price increase is unacceptable.
Keith
May 27, 2025
Verified Review
Not worth my time in the end
Make sure you read the policy and check all your coverage values. I found a number of quotes cheaper because they dropped my coverage amounts.
Joanne
March 12, 2025
Verified Review
Too Expensive
It's too expensive.
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.
0.19A.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
Full coverage: $342
Liability only: $216
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance is a regional company available in the Mid-Atlantic. Not only does NJM offer competitive six-month car insurance premiums for full-coverage and liability insurance, but it also has a ton of discounts. You can save when you bundle home and auto insurance with a defensive driving course or when you pay your policy premiums in full rather than in monthly installments.
Pros
Highest J.D. Power rating for claims satisfaction
High J.D. Power rating for customer satisfaction
Competitive average premiums
Cons
Available in only five states
Low rating from the Better Business Bureau
Customer service not available 24/7
USAA: Best for military members
| User Reviews | 4.9 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.1 /10 |
4.9
Best choiceBased on 2,095 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (1,192)
John
June 17, 2025
Verified Review
USAA Critique
High exposure in the South and East leads to higher premiums. They do have a SafePilot program, which I use. They also have a cashback program, which I use.
Marlon
June 15, 2025
Verified Review
Don't let them hook you
Don't renew with USAA the first year. Go to another company for the first 6 months after your USAA policy expires. Then, when that one expires, check back with USAA for the following 6-month period. USAA will give a better rate when you come back than they would have if you had stayed with them all along.
Timothy
June 10, 2025
Verified Review
The Old Bait and Switch
There's no flexibility, and if you miss your first payment by a day, they will cancel your policy. Then, they make you get a new quote and double the price for half the coverage. It's unbelievable that they treat veterans and their families like that.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.31A.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
Full coverage: $600
Liability only: $276
Active military members, veterans, and their families can find six-month auto insurance with USAA. The company offers a wide range of car insurance options, as well as home insurance.
You can save up to 10% on your premiums when you bundle your home and auto policies or 15% if you garage your car on a military base. If you practice safe driving, you can save up to 30% with SafePilot, USAA’s telematics program.
Pros
Quotes available online
Save up to 30% with SafePilot telematics program
Highly rated mobile app on App Store
Cons
Available only to active military members, veterans, and their families
Gap insurance not available
Customer service not available 24/7
To determine the best six-month car insurance companies, we compared different factors including price, coverage options, customer claims satisfaction, auto insurance discounts, and Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores.
Six vs. 12-month car insurance policies
While the differences between a six-month and 12-month policy are marginal, you may prefer one over the other.
With a six-month policy, your insurer can change your premiums every six months. So, if you’re unhappy with your rate or aren’t receiving satisfactory service, you can switch car insurance companies after your policy term is over without paying possible cancellation fees.
With a six-month policy, you can also see lower rates sooner if a traffic violation falls off your record. But you may also see higher rates if you get another driving violation or file a claim.[1]
With a 12-month policy, you get fixed rates for the entire year. If your auto insurance rates are already affordable and you’re happy with your current company, you may not want to get a new policy every six months.
A 12-month term may benefit drivers who prefer managing their auto insurance policies as little as possible. With this term length, you only need to keep track of renewing your policy and premium changes once a year.
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Pros and cons of a six-month policy
A six-month car insurance policy may be ideal for many drivers, but it has drawbacks. Here are some advantages and challenges of a six-month standard car insurance policy term.
Pros
Allows you to change insurers sooner if you’re unsatisfied with the service or want to shop for better rates without paying a cancellation fee
Might see reduced rates sooner if your risk profile improves in the next six months
Cons
Rates may increase sooner if you get into a car accident or receive moving violations within six months of your policy renewal
Must keep track of premium increases and pay for your policy at renewal, or you risk losing car insurance coverage
Factors that affect six-month car insurance costs
A number of factors go into determining your car insurance premium for a six-month policy, including:[2] [3]
Age
Teens and drivers younger than 25 generally pay higher insurance rates because lack of experience means they pose a greater risk to the insurer. Mature drivers tend to have more experience, fewer accidents, and pay lower rates.
Driving history
If you want to keep your rates low, keep a clean driving record. A driving record with speeding tickets or other traffic violations can cause your rates to increase.
Location
Your ZIP code can also affect the cost of insurance. Generally, drivers in rural areas pay cheaper premiums than urban drivers. Your rates can also increase if you live in an area with higher theft or vandalism.
Type of insurance
Purchasing liability-only coverage is typically cheaper but provides less protection than a full-coverage policy.
Credit history
Most insurers can use your credit history to calculate your premiums. Better credit can result in lower premiums.
Six-month car insurance FAQs
If you’re still trying to decide if a six-month insurance policy is right for you, check out the additional information below.
Can you insure a car for only six months?
Yes. Many auto insurance companies offer drivers the option to purchase car insurance for a six- or 12-month term. With a six-month policy, your premiums can change twice per year, while with an annual policy, they stay the same all year.
Is it cheaper to pay car insurance every six months?
With six-month car insurance, your policy renews twice per year. If you haven’t filed a claim or your driving record has improved, it’s possible your rates could decrease. With a six-month term, you could see the decrease sooner than with a 12-month policy. But if you get a ticker or have to file a claim, you could see your rates increase sooner.
Should you pay your six-month policy in full or in monthly installments?
Many insurance companies offer a paid-in-full discount if you pay your full policy at once rather than monthly payments. This can help lower your overall cost. But many people prefer to pay monthly installments because it can make budgeting easier.
Can you get month-to-month insurance?
While most auto insurers don’t offer coverage for less than six months, temporary auto insurance options are available, such as pay-as-you-go or pay-per-mile insurance.
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 500+ 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.
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Sources
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Jessica Martel
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Jessica has been a contributor at Insurify since July 2023.
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.