If you just bought a car or your old policy lapsed, you're going to need car insurance now. Fortunately, the majority of insurers offer same-day auto insurance so you can be covered instantly.
In this article
Companies that sell same-day car insurance
The largest, best car insurance companies offer same-day car insurance. These include:
With the variety of options you have in getting a same-day car insurance policy, take advantage of comparing quotes. Insurers offer very similar coverage at different prices. A little time comparing goes a long way towards getting the best policy at the cheapest price.
Compare car insurance quotes from top companies
Same-day car insurance vs. one-day car insurance
When looking for same-day car insurance, some drivers are looking for temporary car insurance for a day or other short amount of time. One-day car insurance is a myth. The shortest amount of time an auto insurance provider will offer is six months. If you want a shorter coverage period than that, you'll have to cancel the policy. You'll probably get a refund for the unused premium, but there may be fees involved as well.
What companies offer the cheapest same-day car insurance?
USAA offers the cheapest rate for same-day car insurance, with an average premium of $203 a month. However, it should be pointed out that USAA only provides car insurance for military members and their families. If you're non-military, you'll find the fastest, cheapest car insurance with State Farm at $240 a month, followed by American Family at $266 a month.
| Company | Average rate |
|---|---|
| USAA | $203 |
| State Farm | $240 |
| American Family | $266 |
| Progressive | $343 |
| GEICO | $367 |
| Allstate | $369 |
| Farmers | $390 |
| Nationwide | $401 |
| Travelers | $601 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
How to get same-day car insurance
Getting the best, cheapest same-day car insurance may take some time, but the process is pretty simple:
Gather information
Get together the information you're going to need for a car insurance quote. This includes:
- The year, make and model of the car to be insured
- The car's current mileage
- Your address
- Date of car purchase
- Your prior car insurance provider
- Your driver's license number
Decide your policy limits
Your provider will figure in your state's liability car insurance limits when you request a quote, but keep in mind that the limits required may not be adequate coverage. In most instances, state-minimum coverage limits can be reached and surpassed by a long court hearing or an extended hospital stay. Any costs after your limits are hit have to be paid out of your own pocket. In order to avoid this, we strongly recommend you raise your limits to the following, if possible:
- Bodily injury per person: $100,000
- Bodily injury per accident: $300,000
- Property damage liability per accident: $100,000
Also, if you financed your car, you're going to need to get full-coverage car insurance. A full-coverage policy can be valuable even if you didn't finance your vehicle. If you have a newer car, full-coverage car insurance is a good asset to cover your own damages and injuries after an accident.
Compare quotes online
Car insurance companies weigh certain risk factors differently. For example, your ZIP code may be considered riskier for a claim to be filed by one insurer than another, even though the policy coverage is the same. Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple providers online gives you an excellent overview of what your best choice may be.
See if you're eligible for discounts
Car insurance companies offer various discounts in order to attract and retain policyholders. For example, bundling a car insurance policy with a life or home insurance policy can save you on both premiums. If you find a quote online you're interested in, make sure to contact the provider to see what discounts you qualify for before signing up.
Same-day car insurance: FAQs
In most cases, it should not take more than a few hours to buy car insurance. This can be done by filling out a form online, calling an agent or stepping into your local insurance office.
If you need specialized insurance for a classic or collector car, the process could take longer — to the point where you may not be able to get same-day coverage. The same is true if you can't provide an insurer with the information listed above when you contact them about a same-day policy. In that case, it will probably need more time to set your rate and come up with a quote.
To get a quote from an insurance provider, you typically need to give them some information about yourself and any other driver you plan to name on the policy, including:
- Your driver's license and Social Security numbers, although the latter is often optional.
- Your commute distance.
- Your car's vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as its make, model and year.
- Details on any recent driving violations, tickets or accidents.
- Details on any recent insurance claims you've filed.
- Details on current car insurance coverage, if you have a policy.
A reputable car dealership will not allow you to drive off the lot without car insurance in place. You will want to have a policy in place when you buy a car. This is a frequent reason people look for car insurance they can use instantly.
References:
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