You may find yourself in situations where you only need car insurance for a weekend. Insurers don’t offer temporary car insurance policies, but you can consider rental insurance instead. A traditional auto insurance policy requires paying at least a month’s premium. You can then potentially refund the unused amount.
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeeks Head of Insurance. He has been studying the insurance market for more than five years, doing his own research and making content that is specific to each type of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including [CNBC](https://www. cnbc. com/2020/04/15/cant-keep-up-with-insurance-premiums-heres-what-to-do. html), [NBC News](https://www. nbcnews. com/business/autos/flooded-cars-are-problem-their-owners-future-car-buyers-n1278493) and [Mashable](https://mashable. com/article/tesla-insurance-rates). A bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University are what Fitzpatrick has to offer. He really wants to use his knowledge of insurance and economics to make financial topics clearer and help people feel good about the choices they make with their money.
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeeks Head of Insurance. He has been studying the insurance market for more than five years, doing his own research and making content that is specific to each type of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including [CNBC](https://www. cnbc. com/2020/04/15/cant-keep-up-with-insurance-premiums-heres-what-to-do. html), [NBC News](https://www. nbcnews. com/business/autos/flooded-cars-are-problem-their-owners-future-car-buyers-n1278493) and [Mashable](https://mashable. com/article/tesla-insurance-rates). A bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University are what Fitzpatrick has to offer. He really wants to use his knowledge of insurance and economics to make financial topics clearer and help people feel good about the choices they make with their money.
You might find insurers that offer car insurance for one or two days. MoneyGeek cautions you against them. Most car insurance policies last at least six months, so companies that offer shorter policies may be trying to scam you.
Car insurance follows the car, not the driver. If your friend lets you use their car, their insurance may cover you as long as they give you permission to do so.
For other situations, you may need to purchase coverage. Although insurers don’t offer weekend car insurance, you have several options for temporary coverage. One is buying a policy and canceling it early. Another is purchasing rental car insurance instead of a standard policy.
Why Should You Trust MoneyGeek? To find out how much car insurance costs on average, MoneyGeek did a thorough study and gathered information from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services. You can use our guide to find out how much short-term insurance usually costs and what you need to do to buy a policy.
Getting car insurance over the weekend can seem daunting especially if you need proof of insurance to drive a newly purchased car off the lot. Fortunately there are several ways to obtain coverage for short-term weekend use. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how weekend car insurance works, provide tips for buying a policy, and answer frequently asked questions.
Why Weekend Coverage is Helpful
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Buying a car: Dealerships require insurance before driving off the lot. Arranging coverage on weekends lets you buy and drive the car right away.
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Borrowing a car Lenders may want proof you have insurance before lending you their vehicle for the weekend, Securing coverage protects the owner’s asset,
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Renting a car: Rental companies offer insurance but it’s often expensive. Your own weekend policy can be much cheaper.
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Trying out a car: If test driving a potential purchase over the weekend, insurance protects you and the seller.
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Driving infrequently: Those who only drive on weekends can save money with specialized plans.
Weekend Policy Options
You have several options for obtaining weekend auto insurance coverage:
Short-Term Car Insurance
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Lasts anywhere from 1 day to 6 months.
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Provides basic liability protection.
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Available from insurers like Hugo.
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Ideal for infrequent drivers.
Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance
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Only pay for the miles driven.
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Uses a telematics device to track mileage.
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Offered by Metromile and others.
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Great for low mileage drivers.
On-Demand Car Insurance
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Start and stop coverage instantly.
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Provided by companies like Hugo.
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Pay only for the days you drive.
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Perfect for occasional weekend drivers.
Rental Car Insurance
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Offered when renting from major companies.
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Provides liability and other protections.
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Can be expensive compared to other options.
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Useful as a backup if other insurance falls through.
Non-Owner Car Insurance
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Covers driving vehicles you don’t own.
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Ideal for borrowing cars regularly.
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Typically very affordable.
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From standard insurers like GEICO and Progressive.
How To Buy Weekend Car Insurance
Follow these steps to purchase weekend auto insurance quickly and easily:
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Compare quotes online to find the best rate based on your situation.
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Gather details about yourself and the car you’ll drive. Insurers need this info to generate a quote.
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Check provider hours to see if they operate on weekends. Many major insurers offer 24/7 support.
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Call the insurer or get a quote online. Have your information ready for fast processing.
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Provide payment to activate coverage. Use a credit card for immediate activation.
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Print proof of insurance to carry in the vehicle as required by law.
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Add drivers if someone else will also operate the vehicle. This ensures full protection.
Tips for Finding Affordable Weekend Rates
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Raise your deductible to lower premium costs.
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Opt for basic liability-only coverage if your use is very limited.
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Ask about discounts for things like defensive driving courses.
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Inquire if any multi-policy or group discounts apply to you.
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Maintain a good driving record free of violations and claims.
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Drive a car with standard safety equipment like airbags and ABS brakes.
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Reduce commute mileage for lower rates with some insurers.
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Check rates from insurers like Progressive and GEICO that offer 24/7 support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can I get weekend insurance?
Most major insurers can activate a new policy within minutes to hours if you apply online or via their mobile app. Just have all required information ready.
What if I have an accident without insurance?
Driving uninsured can lead to fines, license suspension, vehicle impound fees, and out-of-pocket crash costs. Weekend policies keep you protected.
Is weekend insurance more expensive?
Not necessarily. Shorter-term plans balance out cost due to the limited coverage period. Compare quotes for the best rates.
What if I can’t get weekend insurance?
Without proof of insurance, most dealers won’t let you drive off the lot. If you absolutely can’t obtain coverage, ask the seller to hold the car until Monday.
Does weekend insurance cover rental cars?
Rental car coverage depends on the policy. Many insurers exclude rentals unless you pay extra for a rental provision. Check with the provider.
What information do I need to get a weekend policy?
At minimum, you’ll need your driver’s license, vehicle information, and dates of coverage. Providing more details can help find you the best rate.
How long does weekend insurance last?
Duration depends on the policy. Short-term plans offer terms as short as a day. Pay-per-mile and on-demand insurance let you stop coverage anytime.
Can I renew weekend coverage for longer periods?
Potentially yes. Contact the provider as your policy nears expiration to discuss extending it or switching to a standard long-term policy.
Does weekend insurance cover all drivers of the car?
By default, a policy only covers the named insured driver. You’ll need to add other drivers for full protection when others operate the vehicle.
The Bottom Line
Securing car insurance just for the weekend or short-term use is definitely possible. With a variety of specialized policies available, you can find affordable coverage that fits your specific weekend needs. Just make sure to compare multiple quotes and follow the proper steps to activate coverage on schedule.
Can You Insure a Car For Weekends Only?
To cut a long story short, the short answer is no. Most insurance policies only last six months to a year. Be wary of carriers that offer car insurance for a day or a week. Likely, these aren’t legitimate offers. There are other ways to secure temporary car insurance coverage.
Getting car insurance for 30 days or less is possible in a number of creative ways. Buying a regular policy and canceling it early is a common choice, but you could also buy rental car insurance instead. Non-owner car insurance is a good alternative if your main objective is to have proof of insurance. Other options include pay-per-mile or rideshare coverages.
How Much Is Short-Term Car Insurance?
The cost of short-term car insurance varies depending on what kind of coverage you purchase. Drivers often opt for a standard policy and then cancel it after a few days, weeks or months. The table below can give you an idea of how much this might cost.
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