How to Find Temporary Car Insurance in New York
You aren’t likely to find temporary car insurance in New York, so it’s usually easiest to buy a six-month policy and cancel it early.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you’re a New York driver and need a temporary car insurance policy, the best route is to purchase a six-month policy from a reputable provider and cancel it early. Companies that offer shorter policies are often scams.
Looking for short-term car insurance can often feel like a hopeless task. You might find companies offering short-term coverage, but these companies aren’t often legitimate. Trustworthy providers only offer policies lasting six months.
Need temporary car insurance for under six months? Don’t sweat it. The
car insurance
app Jerry
has created this handy guide to finding short-term car insurance in New York
.What is temporary car insurance?
This is a tough question to answer, because
temporary car insurance
doesn’t actually exist—at least, not in the way most people assume. Almost every car insurance policy lasts either six months or one year, so getting a policy for a shorter time period is basically impossible. If you stumble upon a company offering short-term coverage, it’s very likely a scam.If you need short-term coverage, the best option is to purchase a six-month policy with a legitimate provider, then cancel it early. It’s important to note, however, that driving without insurance is a major offense in nearly every state, so changing policies quickly may leave you uncovered and legally vulnerable.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversBest companies for temporary car insurance in New York
True “temporary insurance” for less than six months may not be possible, but quite a few providers in New York will let you cancel your policy early without extra fees. They may also refund you for any unused premiums. Here are some companies to consider for temporary coverage:
- Allstate: Allstate has six-month policies that you can cancel at any time. In most cases, you won’t be charged a cancellation fee.
However, USAA is strictly available to military members and families.
- Progressive: Depending on the state, Progressive usually doesn’t charge you for canceling your policy.
If you’re keeping the same car, however, you’ll need to purchase another policy immediately to avoid violating New York insurance law. Driving without coverage in New York could leave you with a revoked license for at least a year, and you’ll have to pay a fine of $750. In some cases, you may also be required to file an
SR-22 certificate
after being charged for driving without insurance. MORE: How to cancel car insurance
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Alternatives to temporary car insurance
Depending on your needs and circumstances, you may have additional options for short-term coverage.
Rental car insurance
and non-owner car insurance
are two affordable alternatives for New York drivers—if they fit your situation.Rental car insurance
If you need a temporary way to get around in New York without breaking the state’s minimum coverage laws, you might want to think about renting a car. Rental companies will allow you to sign a collision damage waiver (CDW), which will give you the greatest possible coverage.
Unfortunately, experts agree that CDWs are overpriced—but the rental company may offer other options for affordable short-term coverages, like rental car liability insurance and personal car accident insurance. Several major credit card companies also offer free rental collision coverage.
Non-owner car insurance
If you often borrow or rent cars but don’t actually own a vehicle, non-owner car insurance may be a good way to meet New York’s mandated
liability coverage
. Unlike traditional car insurance that covers a specific car, this policy covers you in whatever vehicle you drive. It’s also about 10% cheaper than traditional insurance. How to find affordable car insurance in New York
New York car insurance prices are some of the highest in the country, so it’s crucial to find an affordable policy for whatever coverage you need—whether it’s for six months or longer. Using
Jerry
is the most effective way to find coverage at the lowest possible rates. As a
licensed broker
and the #1 rated insurance app, Jerry searches more than 50 partner companies to find you the most affordable options out there. Just download the app, enter your information, and be met with personalized quotes in 45 seconds or less. Jerry can save you time and money—average users save $887 on annual car insurance. If you need short-term coverage to save money, you may be able to afford more coverage with the help of Jerry!
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Can I insure a car for just one month?
Any company offering to insure your car for just one month is almost definitely a scam. Reputable companies won’t offer policies for under six months, so purchasing a six-month policy and canceling it early is the best route to take.
What happens if you drive without insurance in New York?
New York has some hefty consequences for driving without insurance. The minimum fine you’ll face is $150 for a first-time offense, but if you’re convicted, your license will be revoked for one year. Then you’ll have to pay a $750 reinstatement fee to get your license back. Your car may also be impounded, and you could be imprisoned for up to 15 days.
