One-Day Car Insurance: A Complete Guide (2024)

Discover what you should know about one-day car insurance to make informed decisions and protect yourself on the road. In this article, we delve into the key aspects of one-day car insurance, including its benefits, coverage options, eligibility criteria, and the process of obtaining it.

• One-day insurance for cars isn’t usually available, but you can get temporary insurance from most companies
• Short-term car insurance lasts from a few weeks to six months
• People usually need an excellent driving record and a history of on-time payments to get temporary auto insurance

Understanding one-day car insurance can save you from potential risks. Compare rates from the best insurance providers in your area by entering your ZIP code now and ensure you have the right coverage for your temporary driving needs.

Are one-day, short-term, and same-day auto insurance the same?

One-day insurance, also known as 24-hour car insurance plans are rare, and short-term insurance is far more common. It usually lasts for a month or three months. Some states have minimum-term requirements for car insurance policies, so checking to make sure that temporary insurance is legal can be a good idea.

Plus as mentioned above, a lot of the larger named companies won’t offer short-term coverage. So if you’re looking for short-term auto insurance through Geico, you’ll unfortunately be disappointed. Same-day insurance sounds a lot like one-day insurance, but it’s actually a different type of policy that activates on the same day you sign the agreement.

Reasons for getting One-Day or Short-Term Car Insurance

One-day or short-term auto insurance can help protect you from accidents when you use a car temporarily. Below are some of the reasons that someone might need it.

Borrowing a Vehicle for a Short Time

When you borrow a car from a friend or family member, short-term car insurance might be a solution. However, the best approach is usually to ask the car owner to contact their insurer and temporarily add you to their policy. With most auto insurance companies, car insurance follows the vehicle and not the driver. This means that as long as you have permission from the owner to drive their vehicle, their long-term car insurance policy will provide coverage automatically. You can also choose non-owner auto insurance. 

Renting a Car

When you rent a car, it’s a good idea to ask what insurance the vehicle comes with. If you want more coverage, you can purchase a temporary car insurance policy through the rental company. You can also contact the long-term insurance company for your regular vehicle, as some providers automatically cover rental cars for their policyholders.

Driving a Car That’s Usually in Storage

A car that’s usually in storage, such as a vehicle kept at a vacation home, could be eligible for a garage or storage car insurance discount. Some companies offer policies that protect your vehicle from vandalism, bad weather, and other hazards while in storage. When you’re ready to use your car, you can contact your provider and get temporary coverage for that usage period.

Read more: Car Comprehensive Storage Insurance Discount 

Can anyone get short-term insurance?

Like many other car insurance policies, companies may deny coverage to young or inexperienced drivers, as well as people with suspended or revoked licenses who can’t drive legally. Those without previous insurance histories often can’t get temporary coverage because the company can’t verify proof of payment dependability. If you park or store your vehicle in a high-crime area, you may also be denied short-term coverage.

Many states require a minimum amount of liability insurance, and people who break the law by driving their cars without insurance may have trouble getting temporary coverage. Drivers who have been in several accidents or received any traffic tickets usually pay higher rates for long-term insurance, and they may not be able to get short-term insurance. Sports cars, classic cars, and other specialized vehicles could need specialized policies.

If you can’t find short-term coverage, you can still buy a six-month policy. However, canceling it before that period is over could make your rates higher with your next insurance company.

Case Studies: One-Day Car Insurance

Case Study 1: Borrowing a Vehicle for a Short Time

John needed to borrow his friend’s car for a day to run some errands. He was concerned about potential accidents or damages and wanted to ensure he had insurance coverage. Instead of relying on his friend’s long-term car insurance policy, John decided to explore short-term car insurance options.

He contacted his own insurance company and discovered that he could add temporary coverage to his policy for the duration of his borrowing period. This provided him with peace of mind and protection while using his friend’s vehicle.

Case Study 2: Renting a Car

Sarah was planning a weekend getaway and decided to rent a car for the trip. As she made the reservation, she inquired about the insurance coverage provided by the rental company. Although the basic coverage was included, Sarah wanted additional protection.

She found out that she could purchase a temporary car insurance policy directly from the rental company, which offered more comprehensive coverage during her rental period. This ensured that she was adequately insured while driving the rented vehicle.

Case Study 3: Driving a Car That’s Usually in Storage

Mark owned a classic car that he usually kept in storage at his vacation home. Whenever he visited the property and wanted to use the car, he needed insurance coverage for that specific period.

Mark contacted his insurance provider and discovered that they offered temporary coverage options for cars that are typically in storage. He was able to obtain the necessary insurance for the duration of his usage, ensuring his classic car was protected while in use.

Case Study 4: Inexperienced Driver Seeking Short-Term Insurance

Emily, a newly licensed driver, needed temporary car insurance for a two-week period while her regular vehicle was being repaired. However, she faced challenges due to her lack of driving experience and insurance history. Many insurance companies were hesitant to provide her with short-term coverage.

After extensive research, Emily found a specialized insurance provider that catered to young and inexperienced drivers. She was able to secure a short-term policy that provided the necessary coverage during the repair period, giving her peace of mind on the road.

Final Thoughts on One-Day Auto Insurance

If you don’t have a long-term car insurance policy or you’re not sure your current policy will provide enough coverage, consider one-day, short-term, or temporary insurance. Many plans are available, and short-term coverage can help people who don’t drive often save money.

To get the best rates, compare quotes with several companies. You can also consider a long-term policy. The answer to the question, “What auto insurance companies offer 12-month policies?” is a lot easier to answer than finding one-day car insurance, because there are many options for longer-term coverage.