Updated: March 24, 2025
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Major insurers like State Farm and GEICO don’t offer policies shorter than six months long, but you can cancel a policy early for short-term coverage.
The average cost of one-month temporary car insurance is $113, provided you cancel a six-month policy early and receive a prorated refund for the unused months.
If you need temporary coverage, you may also opt to get non-owner insurance or be added as a driver to another person’s policy.
Car insurance companies sell in one-year or six-month increments. However, insurers don’t offer temporary insurance policies for those looking for coverage for a single day, a couple of weeks or even a month.
A website search will pull up companies that claim to offer auto insurance for a day or a week, but these are often scams, or they’ll connect you to someone who sells a six-month policy.
The table below shows the cost of a six-month policy and the amount refunded if you cancel it. The total policy cost is $678, with $113 billed for the first 30 days. If you need only a month of coverage, you can cancel the policy and receive a refund of $565 for the unused portion.
Tenure | Cost |
|---|---|
Six-month policy cost | $678 |
First 30 days | $113 |
Refund | $565 |
*Note: You can also choose to pay month to month. The premiums tend to be a little higher than if you paid in one lump sum, but then you don't have to come up with the full amount all at once. You also don't have to wait for a refund.
When getting month-to-month car insurance, consider your needs and options. Here's the process to help you get started.
The best way to get temporary car insurance coverage depends on your situation.
Other specific use cases for temporary car insurance to consider are covered in these articles:
If you own a car for less than six months, you can get a six-month no-deposit policy and pay in monthly installments. When you no longer need the insurance, you can cancel it. If you have prepaid for the policy in full, the insurance company will issue a refund for the unused months.
Choose the coverage amount you need and then consider whether you need liability insurance, collision and comprehensive or personal injury protection.
Shopping around can help you find the best car insurance that fits your needs and budget. Compare quotes from at least three companies, focusing on coverage and limits. You can get quotes directly from insurers, use an online broker for instant comparisons or call to discuss your options with an agent.
When canceling a policy, choose companies that don’t charge cancellation fees. If you pay upfront, be prepared for a possible delay in receiving your refund. Set a phone reminder to ensure you don’t forget to cancel the policy on time.
To buy car insurance, you'll need to provide certain information. These typically include your:
Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage for people who drive but don’t own a car. Liability insurance is required in most states and protects you from the financial burden of accident-related damages. Even in states where it’s not mandatory, having coverage is still a smart choice.
Non-owner policies are typically more affordable than standard ones. A non-owner policy averages $585 per year, saving $180 compared to an equivalent owner policy.
Many insurance companies offer non-owner policies, though you’ll likely need to call to get a quote.
Car insurance companies calculate premiums based on various factors. Comparing multiple quotes gives you an idea of how much your policy might cost. Use MoneyGeek's calculator below to get quick estimates from different providers.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Mar 25, 2025
| Insurance Carrier | MoneyGeek Score | Average Monthly Payment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Capital Insurance Group | 94 /of 100 | $87 | |
| 2 |  GEICO | 82 /of 100 | $109 | |
| 3 | 83 /of 100 | $118 | ||
| 4 | 83 /of 100 | $129 | ||
| 5 | 79 /of 100 | $133 | ||
| 6 | 77 /of 100 | $151 |
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
MoneyGeek calculated the cost of temporary car insurance in each state based on holding a policy for one to three months, receiving a full refund and avoiding cancellation fees. With this approach, a one-month policy could cost as little as $51. Click on your state below to explore options for temporary car insurance coverage in your area.
State | 3 Month Premium | 1 Month Premium |
|---|---|---|
$305 | $102 | |
$246 | $82 | |
$321 | $107 | |
$297 | $99 | |
$357 | $119 | |
$362 | $121 | |
$360 | $120 | |
$371 | $124 | |
$552 | $184 | |
$410 | $137 | |
$267 | $89 | |
$186 | $62 | |
$284 | $95 | |
$181 | $60 | |
$195 | $65 | |
$233 | $78 | |
$351 | $117 | |
$760 | $253 | |
$152 | $51 | |
$532 | $177 | |
$278 | $93 | |
$1,083 | $361 | |
$300 | $100 | |
$278 | $93 | |
$326 | $109 | |
$304 | $101 | |
$231 | $77 | |
$475 | $158 | |
$195 | $65 | |
$418 | $139 | |
$283 | $94 | |
$858 | $286 | |
$210 | $70 | |
$186 | $62 | |
$201 | $67 | |
$325 | $108 | |
$295 | $98 | |
$454 | $151 | |
$455 | $152 | |
$285 | $95 | |
$204 | $68 | |
$255 | $85 | |
$329 | $110 | |
$289 | $96 | |
$203 | $68 | |
$198 | $66 | |
$316 | $105 | |
Washington D.C. | $301 | $100 |
$254 | $85 | |
$233 | $78 | |
$213 | $71 |
Short-term car insurance availability varies by company, with each offering different terms and conditions. Some insurers charge cancellation fees, while others cancel immediately or require up to 30 days' notice. Below are the best temporary car insurance providers.
Nationwide allows policy cancellations with a prorated refund. It offers various discounts to help lower costs. To cancel quickly, contact an agent directly.
State Farm has multiple discounts for safe drivers. The company doesn't charge cancellation fees, and it offers prorated refunds if you cancel. Cancellations by phone are typically immediately effective.
Allstate provides six-month policies without cancellation fees. The company also offers numerous discounts to help you save.
Canceling a GEICO policy is straightforward. Call customer service, say "cancel insurance policy" and then "auto" when prompted. GEICO offers competitive rates, doesn't charge cancellation fees and processes cancellations immediately.
To cancel your car insurance, contact your provider and request to speak with someone about policy cancellation. A signed cancellation letter may be required to confirm your request. Afterward, ask for a refund for any unused months.
Refund processing can take up to 30 days. If you encounter issues, check with your state insurance commissioner, as some states have rules governing how refunds must be handled.
Canceling your car insurance and experiencing a lapse in coverage can lead to higher rates when purchasing a new policy. Insurance companies typically offer lower premiums to drivers with continuous coverage, viewing them as less risky.
Most people who don’t own a car and drive only for short periods shouldn’t get a traditional six-month insurance policy. Temporary car insurance — buying a policy and canceling it before six months — is often not worth the cost.
If you’re renting a car, you can buy insurance from the rental company. If you’re borrowing a car, you’ll likely be covered under the owner’s policy as long as you have permission to drive. For frequent drivers who don’t own a car, non-owner auto insurance is a more cost-effective solution, providing liability coverage without needing a traditional policy.
Explore these scenarios to determine the best temporary coverage option without committing to a traditional policy.
Scenario | Solution |
|---|---|
You rent cars infrequently | Get rental car insurance from the rental company. |
You rent cars frequently | Get non-owner car insurance to cover yourself while you drive. |
You’re borrowing your friend’s car | With their verbal permission, you’re covered by their policy. |
You’re borrowing your roommate’s car | Because you live in the same household, you should be listed on their insurance policy if you're driving their car. |
You’re a student driving your parents’ car | Students living at home should remain on their parents’ policy. Students living away from home need to get their own policy. |
You need to file an SR-22 | Get a non-owner policy if you can’t drive because of a suspended license due to a serious traffic violation and need to file an SR-22. |
Finding temporary car insurance can be challenging since most insurers offer only six-month policies. Canceling a policy can create short-term coverage, but it may come with fees or delayed refunds.
For renters, borrowers or anyone needing proof of insurance, non-owner car insurance offers a cost-effective and reliable alternative. Identifying your specific needs can help you choose the best temporary option.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about month-to-month car insurance to help you understand how it works and how to get one.
Insurers don’t offer car insurance policies that last just one month. For short-term coverage, the best option is to buy a standard six-month or one-year policy. You can cancel the plan early when you no longer need it.
Non-owner car insurance is a good alternative for short-term coverage. It provides protection for drivers who don’t own a car. Another option is to be added as a driver to someone else’s car insurance policy.
The best car insurance companies balance service quality and affordability. According to MoneyGeek's analysis, Allstate, GEICO, Nationwide and State Farm are the top options for the average driver. These providers also don’t charge cancellation fees.
Why Trust MoneyGeek?
We rely on trusted data sources like Quadrant Information Services and state insurance departments to analyze insurer costs and performance. We also incorporate insights from J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to evaluate market share, financial stability and service quality.
Overview
MoneyGeek collects data from reliable sources to assess insurers' financial stability and market share. We analyze premium costs and ratings for large and small providers to identify the best and cheapest car insurance options nationwide and by state.
Data Acquisition and Depth
Our scores are based on industry-leading evaluations, including J.D. Power, AM Best and NAIC data. We collaborated with Quadrant Information Services to gather 2,118,312 quotes from 67 insurers across 897 ZIP codes.
Driver profile
MoneyGeek uses a standard profile to calculate average rates. This profile adjusts for factors like age, location, driving history, car type, coverage level, mileage and military association. The standard profile includes:
MoneyGeek Scoring Methodology
MoneyGeek assigns a composite score out of 100 based on the following weightings:
Learn more about MoneyGeek’s car insurance methodology.
About Gail Kellner
Gail Kellner is a finance writer at MoneyGeek, specializing in life insurance, auto insurance and personal finance. She also has a 23-year experience in the health sector.
Kellner has a Master of Science from Indiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University.
