Major insurers don't offer temporary car insurance, but there are options if you're only going to drive temporarily. If you own your vehicle, you can buy a six-month policy, cancel it when you're done driving, and avoid paying for the months you don't drive. You can also consider pay-per-mile car insurance if you only drive once in a while. If you drive a vehicle that you don't own, you can consider other options, such as insurance for non-owners, rental car insurance, and temporarily joining someone else's car insurance as a driver.
Generally, reputable insurers don't offer temporary car insurance. You can only buy car insurance in six-month or one-year increments, although many insurers offer payment plans that allow policyholders to pay month to month and you can cancel your policy early if you no longer need it. If your child is attending a school or university and is constantly driving a car, they need ongoing car insurance, not temporary coverage. Always check with your insurer to make sure you have coverage before driving across international borders.
If you don't have a car but you still need insurance, a non-owner's insurance policy or rental car insurance may be the best option for your short-term situation. Car insurance follows the car, not the driver, so the expenses of an accident are usually covered by the vehicle owner's insurance policy. Temporary car insurance, also known as short-term car insurance, is insurance that can be used for a day, a week, or a month. However, in the case of short-term insurance, you can opt for six-month coverage and cancel the policy when necessary.
Even if you don't drive the vehicle, you'll run the risk of theft or damage, which could cover the full part of the policy. You may have to pay a cancellation fee, depending on your insurer, but you can usually get a refund for unused coverage time that you paid for in advance. Your car insurance may cover you during a short-term trip in Ontario, but it probably won't apply in Mexico. An auto insurance policy for non-owners provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage, which are mandatory in most states.
These rates come from public sources of insurance company statements and should be used for comparative purposes, as their own quotes will differ. While many drivers would like to buy temporary car insurance, it's not something trusted insurers sell. Temporary insurance may seem like a good option if you're going to make a quick visit to the city or need a short policy for a specific reason.
