Can I Get One-Day Car Insurance?

Key Points:

• The shortest term most auto insurers offer is six months. 
• If you’re interested in one-day car insurance, going with a usage-based or pay-per-mile option may be your best bet.
• Because they have no cancellation fees and offer affordable six-month policies, we recommend Geico and USAA if you want short-term auto coverage.

There are many ways to get temporary auto insurance, but there’s no such thing as a dedicated one-day car insurance policy. Policy terms usually start at six months. 

This article will review short-term car insurance, how to get temporary coverage, and tips on how to make car insurance more affordable.

The best way to get good coverage for a great price is to compare prices from the best car insurance companies side-by-side. Enter your zip code above to get started comparing free car insurance quotes.

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What Is One-Day Car Insurance?

One-day car insurance policies don’t exist as a temporary car insurance offering. Most car insurance companies offer short-term policies that will protect you for a minimum of six months.

If you’re searching for a one-day car insurance policy, it’s  important to look out for scams. No reputable car insurance providers offer one-day car insurance policies, but some companies pose as short-term or rental car insurance providers to get your credit card information. However, there are some ways to get reputable short-term car insurance for certain situations.

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When Do You Need One-Day Car Insurance?

There are a few instances in which one-day car insurance might seem attractive. If you borrow a friend’s car or a family member’s car, drive a rental car, take your classic car out for the day, or don’t drive often enough to have your own car that needs insurance, you might be looking for short-term car insurance. 

Each of these situations has an alternative solution:

Some drivers will attempt to get one-day auto insurance by purchasing an affordable, six-month policy from a reputable provider that doesn’t require upfront payment or have a cancellation policy. These drivers then cancel coverage when it’s no longer needed. This is not a practice that we recommend.

In most cases, this causes a lapse in coverage. You want to avoid this because it can make it harder to get car insurance in the future. Lapses in coverage make you appear risky to insure and could lead to denial of coverage or much higher auto insurance rates in the future. In the end, the best financial decision may be purchasing a strong policy.

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Penalties For Driving Without Car Insurance

If you’re caught without proof of insurance while driving or involved in an accident, the legal penalties could be severe. You could face:

• License suspension
• Registration and license plate suspension
• Fees to get your license and registration returned
• Community service hours
• Jail time from as little as one day to as long as three years, depending on the level of offense and state laws

The severity of the punishments for driving an uninsured car varies depending on your state, how many times you’ve been caught driving without insurance before, and many other factors.

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What Determines Car Insurance Rates

If you only want temporary coverage, you’re probably looking for cheap car insurance to get the most bang for your buck. Keep in mind that rates are determined based on a few factors, so your quote may be different than someone else’s–even from the same provider. 

Based on the state you live in, insurance providers use several factors to determine the cost of your auto insurance premiums, including: 

• Age
• Driving record (whether you have at-fault accidents, DUIs, tickets, or other things in your driving history)
• Credit score
• Vehicle type and mileage
• Marital status
• Gender listed on your driver’s license

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Same Day Car Insurance: Our Take

If you’re looking for temporary coverage, you’ll want a provider with no cancellation fees that offers the best price and coverage for a six-month policy. Based on that information, we think your best options are Geico and, if you’re eligible, USAA.

Enter your zip code below to get instant auto insurance quotes: 

Our Recommended Providers

Keep reading to learn more about two providers that scored highly in our industry-wide auto insurance provider review: Geico and USAA. 

Geico: Best For Basic Coverage

Geico auto insurance is our top choice nationwide for basic coverage. Geico has a range of car insurance coverage options that provide basic liability coverage or full coverage, and add-ons like roadside assistance, mechanical breakdown insurance, and rental car reimbursement. This makes it a good option for high-risk drivers as well. It also offers homeowners and renters coverage, which may help qualify you for bundling discounts.

Geico also has a usage-based program called DriveEasy that monitors safe driving habits to qualify you for car insurance discounts. Plus, Geico received high marks in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠. The insurer also has the highest financial strength rating possible (A++) from AM Best.

USAA: Best For Military Members

USAA car insurance is our top choice for quality, cheap auto insurance for U.S. military members and their families. USAA performed well in several 2023 J.D. Power studies and has an excellent financial strength rating from AM Best.

USAA also offers the standard insurance options, like bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, as well as comprehensive coverage. With USAA, military service members can get multiple discounts, like savings if you have a new car, or the military installation discount that could save you up to 15 percent for garaging your car on a military base. USAA also offers coverage like rental car reimbursement, travel expenses, roadside assistance, and the SafePilot^® safe driving app.

Compare these two providers head to head in our USAA vs. Geico insurance review. 

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One-Day Car Insurance: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about one-day car insurance:

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How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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