How to Find Temporary Car Insurance in Texas
Temporary car insurance is not available in Texas, but you can get a six-month policy and cancel it early.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- What is temporary car insurance?
- Best companies for temporary car insurance in Texas
- Alternatives to temporary car insurance
- How to find affordable car insurance in Texas
- FAQS
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Although there is no temporary insurance available in Texas, you can find a policy that lasts six months and cancel it early. Insurers advertising temporary policies lasting less than six months may not be trustworthy providers.
When it comes to temporary insurance in Texas, the choices are very limited. If you require short-term or temporary insurance, it’s recommended that you simply buy the coverage that’s well-suited to your needs and cancel it when you don’t need it anymore.
To help you find the short-term insurance policy that’s right for you, the
car insurance
comparison app Jerry
has put together a guide to simplify the process of finding temporary cheap car insurance in Texas
. Read on to learn more. RECOMMENDED
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What is temporary car insurance?
The main obstacle with looking for
temporary car insurance
is that it isn’t a type of insurance policy that’s widely offered. In fact, if you do see providers promoting temporary insurance there’s a good chance that it’s a scam. To avoid getting lured into a deal that’s too good to be true, it’s best to look for a policy lasting six or twelve months. That way, once you decide you don’t need insurance anymore you can just cancel the policy before it’s time to renew.
Most insurance companies will not charge you for canceling early—but you should definitely read over your contract with the insurance provider to make sure you understand all the conditions prior to signing.
Something else to consider is whether having a gap period between insurance policies will present a problem for you. You never want to put yourself in a situation where you are driving without insurance. If you are caught driving uninsured in Texas you’ll be subject to pricey fines and annual surcharges for violating state law.
MORE: Texas electric vehicle incentives
Best companies for temporary car insurance in Texas
Now that you know there’s really no such thing as temporary car insurance, when you’re looking for a short-term policy, you should choose a company that won’t hit you with a fee for canceling before your renewal date rolls around.
Let’s look at some of the lead insurance companies in Texas that will allow you to cancel your coverage without penalty and reimburse you for the cost of the months you purchased but didn’t use.
- Allstate: Not only does Allstate give you the option of a six-month policy, but you also won’t have to pay extra for early termination.
- GEICO: GEICO lets you cancel coverage early with no fee attached and gives customers a six-month term option.
- Nationwide: You can easily cancel your coverage with Nationwide over the phone and be reimbursed for the months you didn’t use their service.
- Infinity: Infinity doesn’t mention a fee for canceling before your term ends, so you will need to reread your contract to confirm whether a cancellation fee is part of the deal.
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Alternatives to temporary car insurance
Some common alternatives to short-term car insurance in Texas are
rental car insurance
and non-owner car insurance
. If you need to drive during a short stay in Texas, you could benefit from one of these non-traditional types of coverage. Rental car insurance
If you don’t own a personal vehicle but have a temporary need to drive you may want to look into renting a car. When you fill out the paperwork to rent a car you will be able to sign what’s known as a CDW or collision damage waiver.
Unfortunately, CDWs are pretty expensive and you may be better off taking advantage of the rental service’s short-term policies like rental car liability insurance, personal accident insurance, or free rental collision coverage.
Non-owner car insurance
If you don’t have a car but need to drive with relative frequency, non-owner car insurance could be just what you’re looking for. While car insurance usually covers the vehicle you own, this policy covers the driver—plus it’s often 10% less than traditional coverage.
How to find affordable car insurance in Texas
No matter what length of time you need insurance for, the best way to find top-level savings is with the help of
Jerry,
the car insurance comparison app and licensed broker
. It takes Jerry less than a minute to put together a customized list of the most competitive rates from over 50 top insurance providers in the nation. Once you choose a new policy and are ready to switch Jerry will even help you cancel your current policy!
After that, Jerry reshops regularly for you to ensure that you’re always renewing your coverage at the lowest price possible. Thanks to Jerry, users save an average of $887 a year on car insurance!
“This is my first time insuring a vehicle.Jerrymade the whole process smooth from start to finish. I didn’t have to do any work! Thanks Jerry.” —Freya I.
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FAQS
How do I know if an insurance company is advertising a scam?
Most reputable insurance companies will not offer you an insurance policy lasting less than six months. An insurer that promises you coverage for less than half a year may be running a get-rich-quick scheme.
Could I go to jail if I get caught driving uninsured in Texas?
While you may not be sentenced to serve any jail time for driving uninsured, the fees for this conviction are between $175 and $350 plus an obligation to pay an annual surcharge of $250 for the next three years.
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