Temporary Car Insurance in Idaho: The Cheapest Options and What You Need to Know
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Updated: 2/8/2023
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In Idaho, car owners who want temporary car insurance can opt for a six-month policy then cancel it early for a refund. This means if you only use your policy for three months, you would only pay the 90-day rate of around $186.
Drivers who do not own cars or visitors to Idaho who use rentals can opt for rental car insurance. MoneyGeek has also broken down situations that call for temporary car insurance in Idaho, such as when you are buying non-owner car insurance to get your license reinstated or working for a rideshare company.
Can You Get Temporary Car Insurance in Idaho
Temporary car insurance in Idaho depends on your specific situation and needs. Drivers who own cars in Idaho in need of short-term insurance could get a full car insurance policy then cancel it early. However, if you do not own a car, you can get temporary car insurance by getting rental car insurance if you drive a rental or opt for non-owner car insurance if you need proof of insurance.
MoneyGeek found that there are different ways to get temporary car insurance in Idaho.
- Need a full car insurance policy temporarily? Buy and cancel
- Want to add or remove a driver? Alter your policy
- Renting a car? Buy from the rental company or use your own policy
- Don’t own a car? Look into non-owner Insurance
- Working for a rideshare company? Buy rideshare insurance
Buying a Six-Month Idaho Insurance Policy and Canceling It Early
Major insurance companies in Idaho and other states sell car insurance for a minimum term of six months. On average, drivers in Idaho pay $373 for a six-month car insurance policy.
If you want coverage for a period shorter than six months, you can cancel your policy early for a refund. For example, if you buy the minimum car insurance term and cancel your policy after three months, you will only pay $186 on average. This is half of what you would have to pay for a six-month policy.
If you choose to cancel your policy early, MoneyGeek advises you to avoid having any lapse in insurance coverage since it can result in you paying hundreds of dollars extra per year.
Cheap Temporary Car Insurance in Idaho
MoneyGeek compared car insurance rates from different insurers in Idaho for a typical six-month policy and shorter policy terms of 90 days and 30 days.
On average, the cheapest insurers for a 90-day temporary car insurance policy in Idaho are:
- State Farm: $137 per 90 days
- GEICO: $143 per 90 days
These rates do not include any cancellation fees. Major insurance companies in Idaho will typically not charge cancelation fees if you cancel your car insurance policy early, so you can expect a full refund for the remainder of the term on your policy.
Annual Cost of Car Insurance in Idaho by Policy Length
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Altering Idaho Car Insurance Temporarily Depending on Your Needs
Drivers in Idaho who already have car insurance but need to temporarily add or remove coverages could simply make alterations to their existing policies.
In most cases, drivers ask about short-term car insurance policies when a student driver goes to school away from home, when they need to store their vehicles or when someone borrows their car.
When You Should Alter Your Policy Temporarily
If your son or daughter goes to school more than 100 miles away within Idaho, you can temporarily remove them from your policy or ask your insurer for a distant student discount.
If you want to store your car, you can save on costs by switching your insurance coverage to comprehensive-only. Alternatively, if you are in the military, you can get a storage discount from USAA.
If someone else is driving your car, you should only add them to your policy if they drive it regularly.
Cheap Temporary Car Insurance for Students in Idaho
If you have a teenage driver in your home in Idaho, you may need to add them to your car insurance policy, which can be quite costly. MoneyGeek found that it costs around $2,041 annually to add an 18-year-old to your policy in Idaho.
You can temporarily adjust the cost of your car insurance by removing the student driver from your policy while they are away at school or asking your insurer for a distant student discount. You can also leave the student driver on the policy.
MoneyGeek found that adding a student to your policy for two months during the summer costs $340 on average, compared to the approximately $2,041 you would pay to insure them for the whole year. Progressive offers the highest savings for temporarily taking a student driver off your policy in Idaho.
Annual Cost of Adding an 18-Year-Old to Car Insurance in Idaho
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If you do not qualify for a distant student discount because your child does not live far enough from home, you can still save on premiums by shopping around. MoneyGeek compared quotes to help you find the most affordable insurers for teen drivers in Idaho.
What to Do About Car Insurance if You’re Storing Your Car in Idaho
Drivers in Idaho who need to store their vehicles temporarily can save on insurance by keeping their car insurance policy but switching it to comprehensive-only or seeking a vehicle storage discount.
When you switch your insurance to comprehensive-only while your vehicle is in storage, you will pay cheaper premiums. Comprehensive and collision insurance with a $1,000 deductible costs around $235 per year in Idaho, compared to the $607 average cost for a policy with comprehensive and collision and minimum liability insurance included.
USAA offers car storage discounts, so military drivers should consider this policy. USAA is also one of the cheapest options for temporary car insurance in Idaho before a discount, which costs roughly $358 annually.
What to Do If You Let Someone Else Drive Your Car
If someone in your household drives your car, they need to be added to your car insurance policy. However, there is no reason to alter your policy if you give permission to someone from outside your household to drive your car since they will be covered under your car insurance policy.
Buying Rental Car Insurance in Idaho
If you rent a car in Idaho, you don’t have to buy a car insurance policy since you can get rental insurance.
Almost all car rental companies offer rental car insurance, which includes basic liability coverage and the option to add collision damage waivers, supplemental liability insurance and personal accident insurance. The average cost of adding these coverages is $45 to $57 per day depending on the company. You can also mix and match coverages for cheaper rates depending on your needs.
Finding Cheap Rental Car Insurance in Idaho
MoneyGeek collected rental car insurance data in Idaho from Boise. Depending on the company you choose, rates range from $45 to $57 daily in Idaho. Hertz offers the cheapest average rate at $45 per day, while Enterprise and Avis charge an average of $55 and $57 per day, respectively. These rates are for rental car insurance with supplemental liability, collision damage waiver and personal accident insurance.
If you already have a car insurance policy, the liability, collision and medical payments coverage on your policy might be sufficient. Most credit card providers also have collision damage waiver coverage for rental cars, so if you get this coverage from your credit card company, you don't need to purchase this coverage from the car rental company.
Cost per Day of Rental Car Insurance in Idaho
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Buying Non-Owner Car Insurance in Idaho
Non-owner car insurance is a good option if you don’t have a vehicle but temporarily need proof of insurance coverage when SR-22 filing to get your license reinstated. Non-owner car insurance in Idaho costs at an average of $261 per year.
If you need to file an SR-22 in Idaho, non-owner car insurance is your most affordable option.
How to Get Temporary Rideshare Car Insurance for Rideshare in Idaho
If you are a rideshare driver in Idaho, you may know that when you accept a fare or are transporting a passenger, you are covered by insurance. However, before you accept a ride or fare, you have a temporary gap in coverage.
If you’re looking for the best rideshare insurance, MoneyGeek compared companies that offer a policy to help you find the best rideshare insurance providers in Idaho. However, not all rideshare insurance policies are available in all states.
Frequently Asked Questions About Temporary Car Insurance in Idaho
If you have more questions about temporary car insurance in Idaho, you can learn more from the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.
Yes, you can get temporary car insurance in Idaho, but you have to be creative about it. Most insurers only offer a car insurance policy for a minimum of six months. However, you can cancel your policy early if you just want coverage for a shorter amount of time.
Yes, most insurers offer a full refund equivalent to the remainder of your term if you cancel your policy early.
Methodology
MoneyGeek collected car insurance and non-owner car insurance quotes across Idaho in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. The policies were for a 40-year-old driver with a full coverage policy as described on our methodology page. The rates for a student represent the average cost of adding an 18-year-old driver to a policy.
The costs of one-month and three-month policies were calculated by MoneyGeek on a prorated basis, assuming a full refund from the insurance company.
Rental car insurance costs in Idaho were collected manually by MoneyGeek using the online tools of Avis, Enterprise and Hertz.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.