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

A typical car insurance policy in Washington lasts for six months. State Farm provides the cheapest six-month policies in Washington.

A.M. Steinbach
Escrito porA.M. Steinbach
Icon of a man
A.M. SteinbachEscritor de seguros

Mark Steinbach es un escritor en Brooklyn, NY. Además de su experiencia como redactor publicitario, también es en escritor de televisión con un título de inglés de la Universidad de Harvard. Cuando no está escribiendo, se encuentra jugando tenis o haciendo crucigramas.

Danny Smith
Editado porDanny Smith
Photo of an Insurify author
Danny SmithEscritor de seguros
  • Agente de seguros de auto y hogar con licencia

  • Más de 4 años trabajando en creación de contenidos y marketing

Como editor de seguros de hogar y mascotas de Insurify, Danny también se especializa en aseguranzas de carro. Su objetivo es ayudar a los consumidores a navegar el mundo complejo de la compra de seguros.

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Actualizado el 6 de mayo de 2024

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Las tarifas más baratas encontradas recientemente en Washington

Los conductores que utilizan Insurify han encontrado cotizaciones tan baratas como $37/mes para solo responsabilidad y $50/mes para cobertura total en Washington.

*Cotizaciones generadas para los usuarios de Insurify en los últimos 10 días. Actualizado el 6 de mayo de 2024

Las tarifas que se muestran son cotizaciones de usuarios de Insurify en tiempo real de más de 100 compañías de seguros y datos de Quadrant Information Services. El algoritmo de Insurify excluye las cotizaciones anómalas y anonimiza los datos personales. Luego, muestra las cotizaciones detalladas por precio, fecha y popularidad de la aseguradora hasta hace 10 días a partir de 6 de mayo de 2024. Las cotizaciones reales pueden variar según el perfil de conductor único del comprador de la póliza.

*Cotizaciones generadas para los usuarios de Insurify en los últimos 10 días. Actualizado el 6 de mayo de 2024

Las tarifas que se muestran son cotizaciones de usuarios de Insurify en tiempo real de más de 100 compañías de seguros y datos de Quadrant Information Services. El algoritmo de Insurify excluye las cotizaciones anómalas y anonimiza los datos personales. Luego, muestra las cotizaciones detalladas por precio, fecha y popularidad de la aseguradora hasta hace 10 días a partir de 6 de mayo de 2024. Las cotizaciones reales pueden variar según el perfil de conductor único del comprador de la póliza.

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 $138 per month for car insurance. Always make sure to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before buying a new policy.

Datos Breves
  • The average monthly cost of a liability-only policy in Washington is $86 per month.

  • Drivers should be wary of Washington car insurance companies that advertise policies for durations of less than than six months in length.

  • Uninsured drivers in Washington can face fines of up to $550.

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.

Find Car Insurance in Washington

Liability coverage rates start at $55 per month

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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.

Good to Know

Non-owner car insurance is less robust than standard full-coverage car insurance because it doesn’t include collision coverage or comprehensive coverage. This means damages you cause to the borrowed vehicle aren’t covered.

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] 

Keep in Mind

If you’re only borrowing a friend’s car for a month or so, purchasing a standard policy and canceling early might be the best option. Look for auto insurance companies that don’t have cancellation fees. And be sure that a month of standard car insurance is cheaper than just purchasing non-owner insurance.

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.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: viernes, 3 de mayo, 0:00 p. m. GMT-7
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly QuoteIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
State Farm554.6
USAA574.7
Direct Auto663.6
GEICO684.4
Allstate734.4
Safeco744.2
Midvale Home & Auto804.0
National General803.4
American Family834.5
Nationwide864.4
The General903.6
Chubb933.2
Farmers974.2
Travelers1144.5
Foremost1193.7
Dairyland1233.5
Bristol West1352.6
Liberty Mutual1473.9
Descargo de responsabilidad: Datos en esta tabla encontrados en cotizaciones reales de las 50+ aseguradoras asociadas con Insurify, más estimaciones de Quadrant Information Services. las cotizaciones reales variarán en función del perfil de conductor único del asegurado.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes in WA

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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

If you’re looking for temporary car insurance in Washington state, this additional information may help you decide which coverage is right for you.

  • Can you get temporary insurance in Washington?

    Most major insurers in Washington offer policies that last at least six months. Car insurance companies advertising shorter policies may not be reputable.

    Washington drivers who need car insurance for a short period of time should consider purchasing non-owner car insurance or rental car insurance, depending on the situation. Or, you can purchase a six-month policy and cancel once you no longer need insurance.

  • Is temporary car insurance legit?

    Companies advertising temporary car insurance — meaning car insurance for just a month, week, or even a day — may not be legitimate. Do your research and look into customer reviews to ensure the company isn’t a scam or offering inadequate coverage. Driving without adequate coverage in Washington can lead to fines and a license suspension.

  • Can you drive a car without insurance if you just bought it in Washington?

    No. When you purchase a new vehicle, you get a short new-car grace period, in which you’re offered temporary coverage to hold you over while your car insurance company moves coverage from your old car to your new car. In Washington, this period lasts at most one month.[3]

  • How long can you be without car insurance in Washington?

    Drivers in Washington must have car insurance to drive legally. Drivers without proof of insurance will face a fine of up to $550. If a police officer pulls you over, you must be able to show the officer a valid auto insurance ID. Providing false auto insurance identification is a misdemeanor.[1]

Metodología

Las cotizaciones de seguros de auto que se muestran se basan en un análisis de la base de datos de Insurify de más de 40 millones de cotizaciones de 500 códigos ZIP a nivel nacional. Para obtener las tarifas representativas, el equipo de datos de Insurify realiza análisis exhaustivos frecuentes de los factores utilizados por las aseguradoras de autos para calcular tarifas, incluyendo datos demográficos del conductor, historia del conductor, puntuación de crédito, nivel de cobertura deseado y más.

El análisis de Insurify también incorpora la puntuación compuesta Insurify (ICS) asignada a cada compañía de seguros. La ICS es una puntuación propietaria que pesa factores que reflejan la calidad, fiabilidad y salud de una compañía de seguros. Las puntuaciones utilizadas para calcular la ICS incluyen las puntuaciones financieras de A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, y Fitch; puntuaciones de J.D. Power; encuestas de satisfacción de consumidores de Consumer Reports y denuncias de consumidores; opiniones de los usuarios en las aplicaciones móviles y opiniones de los usuarios en las compañías; y las opiniones de los usuarios en las compañías.

Con los análisis y métodos de clasificación anteriores, Insurify es capaz de ofrecer a los consumidores de seguros de autos una perspectiva de cómo varían las cotizaciones de las compañías de seguros en relación a uno a uno en términos de costo y calidad. Tenga en cuenta que las cotizaciones reales varían según los atributos únicos incluidos en la poliza del conductor y su dirección de garaje.

Sources

  1. Washington State Department of Licensing. "Mandatory insurance."
  2. Cnbc.com. "How To Cancel Car Insurance."
  3. Washington State Legislature. "Grace period."
A.M. Steinbach
A.M. SteinbachEscritor de seguros

Mark Steinbach es un escritor en Brooklyn, NY. Además de su experiencia como redactor publicitario, también es en escritor de televisión con un título de inglés de la Universidad de Harvard. Cuando no está escribiendo, se encuentra jugando tenis o haciendo crucigramas.

Danny Smith
Editado porDanny SmithEscritor de seguros
Photo of an Insurify author
Danny SmithEscritor de seguros
  • Agente de seguros de auto y hogar con licencia

  • Más de 4 años trabajando en creación de contenidos y marketing

Como editor de seguros de hogar y mascotas de Insurify, Danny también se especializa en aseguranzas de carro. Su objetivo es ayudar a los consumidores a navegar el mundo complejo de la compra de seguros.

Featured in

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Compara cotizaciones de seguros de auto instantáneamente

Seguro. Gratis. Fácil de usar.
Basado en más de 3806 reseñas
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
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