Temporary auto insurance doesn’t exactly exist—rather, most auto insurance companies offer different options depending on how often and when you use your vehicle.

Follow Florida requirements

No matter which short-term car insurance policy you choose, make sure you’re in accordance with Florida’s state minimum requirements of $10,000 per person in

personal injury protection

and $10,000 per accident in

property damage liability

If you’re buying a car

Avoid short-term dealership processes.

If you are buying a used or new car, many dealerships in Florida give customers a chance to get short-term car insurance so they can shop around for a permanent auto insurance policy.

Be aware that this temporary coverage usually lasts up to 30 days. Similar to a

new car insurance grace period

, a temporary car insurance policy from the dealership will still give you the flexibility to look around, but you won’t have unlimited time.

While you can get temporary car insurance coverage from a Florida dealership as an easy solution, it often costs more. You’ll also have more limited options and coverage than with a standard insurance policy, so you won’t be able to customize it based on your needs.

Compare car insurance quotes with Jerry

It’s better to shop around and purchase insurance yourself

before you buy a car

With the

Jerry

app, you can compare real car insurance quotes and get a new policy generally on the same day.

Learn More:

How to shop for auto insurance

If you don’t drive often

Pay-per-mile insurance.

Consider Florida

pay-per-mile insurance

if you drive infrequently, as you pay a monthly premium plus an additional fee based on your actual mileage, with expenses capped at a predetermined limit.

It’s a good idea to track your mileage for several months before you go with a pay-per-mile insurance policy so you know whether it will save you money.

If you’re renting

Rental car insurance.

Typically, your own personal car insurance policy will extend to any car you rent from a traditional car rental company. However, you may also consider upping your coverage and opting for

rental car insurance

When shopping for

rental car coverage in Florida

, there are a few options you can choose from:

Collision damage waiver (CDW)

: With a CDW, you pay a fee to have the rental company waive the right to seek collision damages if you’re in a car accident with a rented vehicle. This includes repair costs, towing charges, lost revenue, and more.

Loss damage waiver (LDW): Similar to CDW, LDW keeps the rental company from seeking compensation if the vehicle is stolen or wrecked during the rental period.

Rental car liability coverage: This coverage will pay for costs related to bodily injuries or property damage after an accident in accordance with Florida’s state minimum requirements. Most rental companies offer this if you don’t already have car insurance.

Personal accident insurance: Will cover medical bills if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Personal effects coverage: Covers all belongings that are stolen while in the rental vehicle. Drivers can get compensated for their value up to the coverage limit.

Your credit card company might offer rental car insurance coverage if you have primary auto insurance. Additionally, if you pay for the rental with a credit card, you may also be eligible to get secondary coverage for damage and theft. Check with your credit card company beforehand to see available options.

Josh Damico

VP of Insurance Operations at Jerry, 15+ years experience

It's best to check with your insurance provider when renting a car because some carriers exclude rental cars to keep costs down. If you don't own a car and have no primary auto insurance, then secondary credit card coverage will not help you and you will need to purchase insurance from the rental car company.

Non-owner car insurance.

If you borrow vehicles frequently but don’t have your own car,

non-owner insurance

is a type of coverage that will provide you with the state minimum car insurance requirements for Florida.

A non-owner policy only includes coverage like liability and personal injury coverage that apply to the driver. As a result, non-owner insurance costs less than regular insurance.

This can also be a good option if you need to get a valid driver’s license, if you have to file an

SR-22 in Florida

, or if you want coverage for renting a vehicle.

If you borrow a car occasionally

You’re already covered!

If you borrow a friend’s car, you are probably covered under

permissive use

. As long as the car owner gives you permission to use their vehicle, their insurance generally covers you if you get in an accident.

However, this does not apply to relatives living in the same house. If you share a vehicle with other family members and they live at the same address, each driver should be listed on the same insurance policy.

If you regularly borrow a specific car

Named driver.

Say you have a

teen driver

who just got their license, or you moved in with your family and use their vehicle on a regular basis.

In either of these scenarios, you would need to be listed as a named driver on the policy for the car you’re using.

Update drivers on your policy with Jerry's mobile app

If you have a current policy through Jerry, you can quickly add a driver to your policy in the app.

When they want to start their own policy, you can also remove them at any time by editing your household.

If you stop driving temporarily

Standard policy with adjusted coverage levels.

There are a multitude of scenarios where you might not need a

full coverage policy

for a specific period of time—maybe you’re a college student away from home, or you drive a

classic car

that is only used during specific seasons.

When using Jerry, you not only have the flexibility to choose adjusted coverage levels based on your preferences but also the added convenience of incorporating a range of full coverage options to tailor your insurance plan according to your specific needs and preferences.

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The worst way to get temporary car insurance

Standard policy with early cancellation.

Most car insurance companies will provide either a six-month policy or a twelve-month policy. While you can generally cancel either policy early, this should only be considered if you won’t be driving in the future, or for quite some time.

Be aware: When canceling your car insurance early, you may be subject to cancellation fees. In addition, canceling before your renewal date could be seen as a red flag to insurance providers, especially if you do it more than once. You could either be denied coverage in the future or end up paying higher premiums.

Once you start driving again, you will need at least liability insurance to legally drive in Florida. Note that you may be charged more if you have a

lapse in your insurance coverage

due to cancellation.

FAQs

How much is temporary car insurance in Florida?

For a six-month car insurance policy, drivers in Florida generally pay $918 for the state minimum and $1,338 for a full coverage option. Compare rates before you buy to find the best car insurance rates.

How long can you go without car insurance in Florida?

Driving without proof of insurance, even for a short period, is illegal in Florida. Whether you drive often or not, if you ever plan to get behind the wheel of a car, you should have at least the state minimum car insurance in place.

Can you drive someone else’s car in Florida?

Yes. In Florida, car insurance coverage follows the vehicle, meaning that if you were to get into an accident, their policy will cover any damages or injuries.