Temporary Car Insurance in Texas
Most insurance providers in Texas don’t sell temporary car insurance, but you can buy non-owner insurance or purchase a short-term policy and cancel it early.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Amy Bobinger
Table of Contents
- Texas pay-per-mile insurance
- Non-owner insurance in Texas
- Rental car insurance in Texas
- Canceling standard car insurance early in Texas
- Borrowing a car in Texas
- Adjusting the limits of a standard Texas auto insurance policy
- Shop around to find the best price for the coverage you need
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
Texas
insurers don’t offer temporary car insurance
—you can only buy standard car insurance policies for 6 or 12 months. That said, you may be able to find same-day auto insurance through an on-demand insurance company, and other insurance options are also available to help you find the right coverage.Temporary car insurance alternatives
Temporary car insurance alternatives
Your best solution for temporary car insurance depends on why you need it
The coverage options... | Best if you... |
|---|---|
Dealership-provided insurance | Haven't found a policy yet but are ready to buy a car |
Pay-per-mile insurance | Own a car that you rarely drive |
Rental car coverage | Drive rented vehicles a few times a year |
Non-owner insurance | Frequently drive borrowed or rented vehicles |
Permissive driver | Occasionally drive your friends' vehicles |
Named driver | Regularly borrow the same car |
Adjusted coverage | Drive seasonally |
Early cancellation | Only plan to drive temporarily |
Learn More
Texas pay-per-mile insurance
Best for: Drivers who don’t drive often and don’t want to pay for a full insurance policy
Texas
pay-per-mile insurance
charges drivers a daily or monthly flat rate plus a few cents for each mile driven. For example, Allstate may charge a daily rate of $1.50 and an additional $0.06 for every mile driven. Before you commit to a pay-per-mile insurance policy, track your mileage for a couple of months to ensure this type of policy will actually save you money.
Non-owner insurance in Texas
Best for: Drivers who don’t own their own car but frequently drive
Texas non-owner insurance
is a type of liability insurance that covers drivers who aren’t car owners but still rent or borrow. If you’re involved in an at-fault accident while driving someone else’s car, it covers other drivers' medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. By purchasing a non-owner policy, you protect yourself against losses that result from an accident you cause in someone else's car.
Because non-owner car insurance meets Texas’ minimum liability coverage requirements, you can use your policy to obtain a valid driver’s license, satisfy
Texas SR-22 requirements
, or provide rental vehicle coverage.A non-owner insurance policy is typically cheaper than standard auto insurance policies in most states. But while you may spend less monthly, it doesn’t cover your damages—property or bodily injury—so you still want to take precautions when driving a vehicle you don't own.
- $30,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability
Rental car insurance in Texas
Best for: Drivers who are renting a vehicle
If you’re renting a car in Texas, you’ll still need insurance that meets the minimum state requirements—but
rental car coverage in Texas
isn’t required. All Texas rental car agencies automatically include the minimum liability insurance coverage as part of their basic contract but there are other types of coverage available to best suit your needs.- Collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage: Covers damage to the rental car due to a collision—this is comparable to comprehensive or collision coverage.
- Personal accident insurance: Pays for medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
- Personal effects coverage: Covers theft of personal items inside the rental car.
Need to know: Some credit card companies also offer rental insurance or collision protection as part of their rewards program, so check with your credit card company before purchasing additional coverage. And be sure to read the exclusions of the coverage!
Canceling standard car insurance early in Texas
Best for: Drivers who are temporarily in the US
If you're temporarily visiting the United States and need insurance but don’t plan on staying for the total duration of your policy, you can get temporary auto insurance by canceling your standard six-month policy early.
But if you are considering getting short-term coverage this way, you should know the potential risks.
- If you plan to drive in the future, you'll need to purchase a new insurance policy—and if there is a gap in your coverage for a short period of time, it could mean higher premiums than if you had continued your current policy. Have a plan to bridge that gap if you’re canceling your policy early.
- Early policy cancellation is a red flag for insurers. Insurance providers could refuse to offer you a policy if you have a history of early cancellations, and if they insure you, you could see higher auto insurance rates.
- Some auto insurance companies may charge a cancellation fee for ending your policy early.
If you buy a policy and cancel it early, you’ll want to check with your insurer to see what kind of cancellation they offer. There are two types to be aware of:
- Pro-rata cancellation: You will be refunded the full amount of the unused premium.
- Short-rate cancellation: Deducts a certain amount of the refund as a penalty for early cancellation.
Borrowing a car in Texas
If you're borrowing a friend’s car in Texas, you are likely covered under permissive use, meaning the vehicle’s owner has permitted you to use the car. In most cases, their insurance will cover you if you’re involved in an accident.
But if you live with someone and borrow their car, you aren’t covered under permissive use—you should be listed on their policy as an additional or occasional driver.
Need to know: Before you get behind the wheel of a borrowed car in Texas, confirm that the vehicle owner has coverage that will cover you while driving. If they are uninsured, you could be on the hook for
driving without insurance
—and if you’re in a crash, you may be liable for any damages. Adjusting the limits of a standard Texas auto insurance policy
If your insurance needs are changing temporarily, it might be a good idea to adjust insurance limits or the named drivers on your policy to fit your current needs. Here are a few scenarios where this might be a good option:
- College student away at school: If you’re the parent of a college student listed on your policy who doesn’t drive while at school, you may have the option to remove them from your policy while they’re away. Some insurance companies even have an “away at school” option that you can add when they enroll and remove once they graduate or stop attending.
- Seasonal drivers: If you have a vehicle driven only for specific periods of the year, consider temporarily reducing your coverage. You’ll still need to meet the minimum state requirements, but you may not need the same level of coverage as you would if you were on the road.
- Military deployment: If you or a family member are currently on military deployment, most insurance providers offer the option to switch to a special storage plan. This is a great way to reduce costs associated with a standard Texas auto insurance policy if the vehicle isn’t being driven. Also, note that many providers offer discounts for active military members and families—GEICOoffers active military members up to 15% off their total insurance premium, for example.
Shop around to find the best price for the coverage you need
Whether you’re looking for short-term coverage or a full-coverage
Texas car insurance
policy, you can find the best car insurance rates by comparing car insurance quotes from at least three different providers. With help from
Jerry
, shopping around for cheap car insurance costs is quick and easy. In seconds, you can compare quotes for your selected coverage options from our network of top insurance companies and find the best rates.Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
FAQs
Can you get car insurance for one day in Texas?
No—unless you’ve purchased rental car insurance through a rental car company. If you see a company offering one-day car insurance or temporary car insurance coverage, it’s a scam.
What is the shortest term for car insurance?
The shortest term for car insurance is 6 months. If you need insurance coverage for less time than that, you’ll need to look into rental car insurance, non-owner insurance, or canceling a 6-month policy early.
Is it illegal to drive without car insurance in Texas?
Yes! No matter what kind of car you’re driving or for how long, you must be able to provide proof of insurance that meets the state’s minimum liability requirements. Driving without insurance is a serious violation that can result in fines, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and even jail time.
