Temporary Car Insurance In Pennsylvania 2024

Have you ever needed car insurance for just a short period, like for a weekend trip in a borrowed car or a quick drive home from college? Year-long policies can be too much of a commitment and cost for these situations.

While policy terms under 6 months are not widely offered by U.S. insurers, there are still options to explore. With my extensive background in the insurance sector, I’ll detail why temporary coverage might be essential and offer tailored options for Pennsylvania residents.

What Is Temporary Car Insurance?

Typically, insurers offer policies lasting from six to twelve months. Temporary car insurance, however, covers shorter durations, usually less than six months. For example, by the hour, by the day, for a week, or a month.

As this option isn’t widely offered in the United States, drivers requiring short-term coverage might consider other solutions, like choosing a standard six-month policy and canceling it ahead of schedule.

Alternatives To Temporary Car Insurance

For individuals looking into temporary car insurance, there are diverse options based on their requirements.

Non-Owner Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

Tailored for Pennsylvania residents who drive but don’t own a car, non-owner car insurance provides coverage when you’re driving your car or someone else’s.

While non-owner car insurance only covers damages to the other driver, it can be a good option if you borrow a car and just need temporary cover. Non-owners insurance is also a good way to prevent gaps in your insurance coverage, if you’re inbetween cars.

Pennsylvania Pay-Per-Mile Insurance

Drivers who don’t use their cars frequently might find pay-per-mile car insurance more advantageous than temporary coverage. Unlike traditional insurers who charge a fixed premium regardless of mileage, pay-per-mile policies base your payments on how much you drive. This approach could save money in the long run while providing adequate insurance coverage.

Rental Car Insurance In Pennsylvania

Numerous drivers consider temporary car insurance, especially when they rent a car. However, you can buy insurance straight from the rental company, bypassing the need for your own policy. It’s a good idea to get coverage from the rental company because most personal auto policies don’t cover the loss of use of the rental car, which can be expensive.

However, it’s best to first check whether your current car insurance policy extends coverage to rental cars.

Rideshare Car Insurance

Uber drivers are prevalent in Pennsylvania, emphasizing the necessity of rideshare insurance. Regular auto insurance policies do not cover accidents that occur while drivers are actively employed by transportation network companies.

Therefore, it’s crucial for Uber and Lyft drivers to obtain specialized insurance to ensure protection for themselves and their passengers. While certain major insurers may provide partial coverage, opting for insurance directly from rideshare companies is advised.

Buying A Six-Month Auto Insurance Policy And Canceling It Early

Nearly all car insurance companies offer policies that last for either six or twelve months, with shorter durations being rare. However, there is typically no law against buying a six-month policy and cancelling it early. However, you may be required to pay a cancellation fee.

If you do cancel your car insurance policy, you must inform the Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation. Then, when you get a new policy, you must inform them of that as well.

The penalty for driving without insurance in Pennsylvania is a minimum fine of $300 and a 3 month license suspension.

Who Needs Temporary Car Insurance?

Here are a few common scenarios where someone might consider temporary car insurance:

• Using someone else’s vehicle
• Purchasing a car that you plan to sell soon
• Staying with family and using their car
• College students driving only during summer break
• Visiting an area and needing access to a car
• Storing a car for an extended period
• Renting a vehicle
• Moving and needing temporary coverage
• Test-driving a car

Can You Buy Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Or Monthly Car Insurance?

Most major auto insurance providers don’t offer policies for durations shorter than six months. While some companies advertise daily or weekly car insurance, it’s wise to be cautious, as these offers can sometimes be misleading or unreliable.

Alternatively, you can consider pay-per-mile or pay-as-you-go insurance, which charges based on the actual miles you drive, allowing for a more flexible and potentially cost-effective option.

Short-Term Car Insurance Rates In Pennsylvania – By Policy Length

Pennsylvania’s Department of Insurance discloses that MetLife leads in the auto insurance sector. Our analysis shows it’s also the most expensive for temporary vehicle insurance, with USAA providing a more economical choice.

Temporary Car Insurance Rates In Pennsylvania – By Insurance Company

Short-Term Auto Insurance Rates In Pennsylvania – By City

Car accidents are a regular occurrence in Pennsylvania annually. Philadelphia, with its high auto insurance expenses, often experiences more accidents. In contrast, Erie maintains a lower accident rate compared to other parts of the state, which translates into lower insurance premiums in our findings.

Altering Pennsylvania Car Insurance Temporarily Depending On Your Needs

If you’re searching for temporary auto insurance, modifying your existing policy to suit your needs or opting for a six-month policy with particular coverage if you’re not currently insured could be worthwhile. Here are some examples of when these options might be applicable.

College Student Away At School

Around 56% of college students have cars while at school, making car insurance a straightforward issue for them. They can either use their parents’ insurance or get their own. What about those who don’t own cars? It might seem they don’t need insurance, but that’s not entirely true. Approximately 1,519 college-aged students are injured annually in alcohol-related incidents, including car crashes. If your child needs to stop a friend from driving under the influence, insurance shouldn’t be a barrier.

While insurance usually covers the car, an accident might exceed policy limits, and the driver could be financially liable. In Pennsylvania, the liability minimums are $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident for injuries, and $5,000 for property damage. Even minor accidents can surpass these limits. Keeping your child on your policy or getting a non-owner policy can help manage these risks.

Storing Your Car

When your car is parked for extended periods or certain times of the year, storage insurance provides a useful choice. This insurance allows you to temporarily suspend liability coverage on your vehicle, protecting it from risks like fire, theft, or vandalism during its inactive periods.

Most standard auto insurance companies include storage insurance in their policies, making it straightforward without requiring special arrangements. Inform your insurer to halt coverage during storage and reinstate it when you’re ready to use the car.

Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car

Sometimes, you might find yourself in a position where another person needs to drive your car. Depending on their usage frequency, you might need to officially add them to your insurance policy as a driver. If they rarely drive, they typically fall under the permissive use clause.

Many insurance providers offer coverage to authorized drivers under this clause, which is useful during emergencies or when you lend your vehicle. Remember to inform your insurance company about household members or individuals who frequently use your car, as they may need to be listed on your policy regardless of their driving habits.

Adding Your Child To Your Policy

When your child obtains their driver’s license, you might hesitate to add them to your car insurance because of the associated costs. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to include them, even if they won’t drive regularly.

Insurance providers often require you to disclose all licensed drivers in your household. Not doing so could lead to complications when filing claims or even result in policy cancellation. If they genuinely won’t be driving, you might be able to remove them from your coverage.

International Drivers

When driving abroad, international travelers can select insurance depending on how long they plan to stay. Short-term visitors renting cars can obtain insurance from the rental company. For extended stays, it’s advisable to buy a standard auto insurance policy or a non-owner policy. Keep in mind, some insurers might request an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a US driver’s license. Conduct research before your trip to confirm you have the appropriate driving documents.

Being An Infrequent Driver

If you don’t drive often, you may not think it’s necessary to have your own insurance policy, depending on how frequently you use a car. Nonetheless, insurance providers typically require most licensed household members to be covered by car insurance, even if their driving is infrequent. Many policies also include a permissive use clause, allowing occasional driving with the owner’s permission.

If you frequently drive cars owned by others, consider obtaining a non-owner policy to ensure you have coverage, regardless of the vehicle.

Cheapest Short-Term Car Insurance Companies In Pennsylvania

Travelers provide the cheapest car insurance for short-term cover in Pennsylvania, at $122 per month.

Average Cost Of Short-Term Car Insurance After An Accident In Pennsylvania

Average Cost Of Short-Term Car Insurance For Good Drivers

Average Cost Of Short-Term Car Insurance For Young Drivers In Pennsylvania