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Home / Auto / Weekly Car Insurance: What It Is and Why You May Need It
If you need car insurance coverage for just a week or two, then a weekly policy is the way to go. Some insurance companies offer plans that last for week-long and/or four-week increments.
Weekly car insurance is new to the USA and it’s typically charged by the day. The cost varies between $10 and $25 per day. As with all auto insurance, the cost can depend on factors such as:
Weekly policies are usually renewable for up to six months. After those six months are up, you cannot renew on a weekly basis anymore, but you generally wouldn’t want to because it costs more to renew weekly policies for six months than it does to purchase a standard six-month car insurance policy.
You can get weekly car insurance online or from an insurance agent. You can typically buy a week or more and extend it if you need to. You’ll generally get the same coverage as traditional auto insurance, including personal injury protection and damage liability. You may also be able to add riders to the policy, such as uninsured motorist coverage, or add additional drivers.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely need to pay for the policy upfront in order to start the coverage. With standard car insurance, you would likely pay a down payment and/or the first month’s premium to activate the policy, but with the shorter time frame of weekly car insurance, you’ll likely need to pay for it all right away.
It can be tempting to try and go without insurance if you’re only driving for a small period of time, but it is also illegal. Driving without insurance can result in hefty fines and other state penalties. Don’t take the risk, and instead purchase short-term insurance.
Weekly car insurance is different from non-owners insurance. However, both are viable options when borrowing a vehicle, so it is important to understand how they differ in order to decide which one to choose.
Standard car insurance policies will only cover a driver who is not the owner or is not named on the policy if the trip was:
Non-owner’s insurance covers you as the driver, not the vehicle. The coverage extends to liability, bodily injury, and property damage. These policies also last longer than a few weeks.
Weekly car insurance, on the other hand, operates the same as standard insurance in that it covers the vehicle and only those listed on the policy.
Because weekly car insurance is still relatively new to the USA, not all insurance providers offer it yet.
You may have to do some digging to find a trusted insurance company offering weekly car insurance for a great price. But they are out there, and a one-week car insurance quote is just a click away.
Weekly auto insurance can be a great option for short-term, reliable coverage. While it’s not that common of a policy yet, there are legitimate scenarios that would warrant one week car insurance and it’s expected to become more and more in demand. If you’re looking to save on car insurance costs and get thorough coverage for peace of mind, weekly car insurance is a great fit.
Sometimes. It depends on the insurance company and the circumstances. Speak with your insurance provider to discuss your individual situation.
Not necessarily. In the long run, paying week by week is more expensive than a plan that lasts a year. However, weekly insurance prices are quite competitive. If you only need insurance for a week or two, shopping around can provide a great deal.
Life is complicated. There are many different situations that you may find yourself needing short term car insurance in. Weekly car insurance is a safe and cost-effective option for drivers who only need insurance coverage for a short period of time!
Margaret Huntley Margaret Huntley is a creative writing and philosophy student at Western University. She has been working as a freelance writer for over two years and has written about everything from insurance, to poker, to health and wellness for international businesses.