Temporary Car Insurance in Washington: What You Need to Know (2024)

Most car insurance companies in Washington offer car insurance policies in six-month and 12-month terms. But what if you only need car insurance for a shorter period of time? Drivers in Washington who need temporary car insurance still have coverage options.

On average, Washington drivers pay $113 per month for car insurance. Always make sure to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before buying a new policy.

Is temporary car insurance available in Washington?

Reputable insurance companies in Washington, like State Farm and Allstate, don’t offer temporary car insurance. These companies typically offer car insurance in six- and 12-month terms.

If you see a company offering car insurance policies shorter than six months, proceed carefully. Companies advertising car insurance for only a month or a week are often a scam or provide inadequate insurance coverage.

Still, Washington drivers have options when looking for reputable coverage over a short period of time. Before buying such a policy, assess your needs. Are you borrowing a car from a friend? Renting a car for a short trip? Or only occasionally driving a car you own? Answering these questions can help you pick an effective temporary insurance option.

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Getting non-owner car insurance in Washington

Borrowing a friend’s car for a short road trip or just a day are common situations that might call for temporary car insurance. Driving someone else’s car comes with risks, even if it’s just for a day. If you cause an accident and need to file a claim, the owner’s liability coverage might not apply, leaving you on the hook for massive out-of-pocket costs.

That’s why Washington drivers looking for temporary car insurance policies should consider purchasing non-owner car insurance, which offers bodily injury liability insurance and property damage insurance to drivers who don’t own a car but occasionally drive another person’s car.

Your non-owner coverage is usually at state minimums, though you can add more coverage if you’d like. In most cases, these policies run for the standard six or 12 months, depending on the insurer.

Non-owner coverage is often cheaper than standard insurance policies, though this varies based on common insurance rating factors such as your driving record, age, and location.

People who borrow friends’ cars on a regular basis should consider purchasing non-owner car insurance. The same goes for drivers who frequently rent vehicles. You may even want to consider a non-owner policy if you have your license but don’t drive or own a car. This will keep you from having a gap in coverage that might concern insurers when you do start driving.

If you frequently borrow a family member’s vehicle, you might not need non-owner car insurance. Instead, you can simply have your family member add you to their policy.

Canceling your policy early in Washington

You’re not locked into your car insurance policy for the entire term. Most car insurance companies allow you to cancel your policy before the end of the term. You’ll likely have to pay a cancellation fee, though you won’t have to pay your remaining monthly premiums.

Before canceling, be sure to line up your next policy. You’ll want to time the cancelation so that there’s no lapse in coverage between your previous policy and your new policy. People in Washington who drive without proof of insurance can face fines of up to $550. You must show your auto insurance ID card when a police officer pulls you over.^[1]

Then, canceling your policy is pretty simple. Just call your insurance agent, who may ask you to submit a written cancellation request. Depending on the company, you may have to pay a cancellation fee. Most fees are under $100, or 10% to 15% of the sum of your remaining premium.^[2] 

Best car insurance companies for short-term car insurance in Washington

Before you purchase short-term or temporary car insurance in Washington, you should compare prices from a wide range of car insurance companies in order to find the best deal. The table below lists the cheapest car insurance companies for short-term car insurance in Washington, as well as their average monthly quote and Insurify Quality (IQ) score.

Car insurance for students in Washington

Students in Washington should first contact their current insurance company before heading off to college. Then, ask your insurance agent if the company offers policies in Washington. If the company operates in Washington, you can keep your current policy.

If the company isn’t a licensed insurance company in Washington, you’ll have to find a new car insurance company. You should look for companies that offer student discounts. Then, consider canceling this new policy once the semester ends. In that case, finding a company with no cancellation fee might be a good idea.

Of course, you can also decide not to bring your car with you to school. Many car insurance companies offer student away-at-school discounts for drivers who leave their car at home while enrolled at school. Using this discount is a good option for students who don’t want to bring their car but don’t want to cancel their auto policy.

You may also decide to cancel your policy while at school. If you were on your parents’ insurance, they could remove you from their existing policy. Then, you can purchase non-owner car insurance or rental car insurance for those occasional weekend road trips with classmates where you have to get behind the wheel.

Temporary car insurance in Washington FAQs