Drivers may need short-term, or temporary, car insurance on occasion. However, it depends on what you’re looking for to determine what type of coverage you need. Most large insurance companies offer standard car insurance policies, which can only be purchased in six-month or 12-month policy terms. While some car insurance companies in Arizona may advertise one-day, one-week or one-month policies, these types of insurance usually have very limited coverage, may not be the most suitable option for drivers in Arizona to drive legally or may not be credible. If you’re looking for auto insurance, there are still several ways to get a policy that will meet your needs once you find out what type of coverage is best for your situation.
What is temporary auto insurance?
Temporary auto insurance, often called short-term car insurance, provides a shorter term than the typical six to 12-month policies in Arizona. Most large insurers generally do not offer temporary auto insurance, which ends in less than six months. You may find what you need is a standard car insurance policy, but there are pros and cons of six-month vs. 12-month policies, as shown below:
|
Pros: More reminders to review your policy since your renewal occurs every six months |
Pros: Rate is locked in for the entire year |
|
Cons: Premium can change more frequently with accidents, traffic violations or rate revisions |
Cons: May be harder to pay your total premium in full since it equals an entire year up front |
Average cost of short-term car insurance
Short-term car insurance may last less than six or 12 months, which are the policy terms standard car insurance companies offer. However, if you’re looking for a standard policy, the average cost of car insurance in Arizona is $1,810 per year, or $905 every six months, for full coverage. The average cost of minimum coverage is $587 per year, or $294 every six months, in Arizona. However, keep in mind that car insurance rates in Arizona are based on several factors like your age, the type of vehicle you drive, your location, credit-based insurance score and claims history.
Temporary car insurance options
If you need short-term car insurance, there may be a few options, depending on your situation. Keep in mind that the availability of these policies, including coverage, cost and duration, will vary based on the provider.
Non-owners insurance policy
Non-owner insurance is a short-term car insurance in Arizona that provides coverage for drivers who do not own a registered car but occasionally borrow vehicles from friends or family. Non-owner insurance may also be beneficial if you are temporarily without a vehicle and do not want a gap in insurance coverage. However, non-owners insurance only covers injuries resulting from a car accident, so damage that occurs to the vehicle you’re driving would not be covered under this policy.
Rental car insurance
Rental car insurance can only be obtained with rental cars. The insurance policy takes effect the minute you drive off the lot and ends when you return the keys. If you have car insurance, most standard car insurance policies will extend coverage for rental cars. However, in this case, your rental car would be covered like how your vehicle insured on your policy is covered. If you do not have comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, neither will your rental car. So there may be cases where you should consider purchasing short-term rental car coverage through the rental car agency, even if you have a car insurance policy in place.
How to get short-term car insurance
Although short-term car insurance isn’t for everyone, it may be a good idea, depending on your situation. If you’ve sold your vehicle and don’t have a timeline in mind of when you’ll get a new one, a non-owners policy may be a great short-term solution for your needs. If you’re in need of a rental car and need coverage, rental car insurance may be ideal.
However, if you’re looking for standard car insurance coverage, a six-month policy or 12-month policy in Arizona may better suit your needs. Researching several insurance companies, seeing what terms they offer and asking for quotes can help you speed up the process of obtaining this type of coverage.
While shopping around for insurance, keep in mind that the cheapest car insurance companies are not always the best car insurance companies. The cheapest providers might have the lowest rates and best discounts, but they may not have the best coverage options for you. Consider what you value most in an insurance company before choosing one.
link