Short Term Car Insurance – How to buy it

Temporary Car Insurance is a way to abide by the laws of the traffic authorities and in turn keep yourself protected from any unforeseen event in your car. But you should know that most car insurance companies do not offer policies for less than six months.

Or, many times people turn traditional auto insurance into a term policy by canceling it early, although some insurance providers may charge a cancellation fee.

Motorists who have a need to purchase Temporary Car Insurance or day insurance should modify their existing policy coverage or consider other options, such as rental or non-owner auto insurance.

Here are some suggestions on how you can manage your daily or short-term auto insurance needs, to cover temporary scenarios and when you should do it.

• What is Temporary Auto Insurance?

  As we mentioned before, some insurance companies do not normally sell temporary or day vehicle policies for less than six months.
  If you already have an insurance policy, ask your insurance provider if they can adjust your coverage for a temporary situation or days. If you don’t own a vehicle but still need insurance, a non-owners insurance policy or rental car insurance may be the best option for your situation.

• How to Get Temporary Car Insurance

  Car Insurance Car insurance is sold in units of six months or one year, which means you can’t buy it on a monthly basis. You must agree to purchase six months of auto insurance, which you can then pay month-to-month or pay the full amount upfront and request a refund.
  Either way, set a reminder so you don’t forget to cancel your policy before it expires. If you paid in full upfront, be sure to request a refund.
  Auto insurance companies generally do not charge cancellation fees and often refund unused monthly premiums.

For what short-term situations should you adjust your car insurance?

There are a couple of temporary circumstances in which it makes sense to adjust your insurance coverage. Here are some common short-term situations where you should contact your insurer to see if they can adjust your policy:

• Temporary coverage for student drivers

  If your child attends school and drives a car constantly, he or she needs continuous auto insurance, not temporary coverage. But if you’re driving only on vacation, he may want to adjust your insurance coverage for a temporary period to reflect those changes.

• Do you lend your car to a friend or roommate for a one-time errand?

  You probably don’t need to add this temporary driver to your insurance. Temporary carpooling cases are likely covered under your own insurance policy by what’s known as a permissive user clause, a policy that protects your car when used occasionally by another driver.

• Do you have a babysitter, relative or a friend who regularly drives the car for a short period?

  You’re going to want to add this person to your insurance. Putting someone on your car insurance will temporarily increase your rates, but it’s worth making sure your car is covered in case this person is in an accident.

• Do you need car insurance for your weekend rental?

  Buying short-term insurance for a rental car may seem like a good idea, but check with your own insurance provider before choosing coverage sold by the rental company. Your own auto insurance policy may provide you with enough coverage when you drive a rental car,and many credit cards also provide some coverage when you use the card for your rental.

• Non-Owner Car Insurance

  If you regularly drive cars that you don’t own, consider getting third-party insurance. A insurance policy provides bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, which are required in most states. Non-owners insurance is also a good option if you frequently borrow cars from others.