How to Find Temporary Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

The best way for Pennsylvania drivers to get temporary car insurance is to purchase a traditional policy and cancel it when their needs expire.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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The best strategy for Pennsylvania drivers to get temporary car insurance is to purchase a six-month policy and cancel it early. Only less reputable providers offer shorter-term policies, so it’s best to stay away from those!
Many people utilize the public transit systems in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other major cities for 100% of their transportation needs. But sometimes circumstances change and you need to get back behind the wheel.
To help you prepare for that moment, the
car insurance
app
Jerry
has created a guide to finding short-term
cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania
.
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What is temporary car insurance?

Temporary insurance doesn’t technically exist—but you can take advantage of the free cancellation option on a six-month policy, which is usually the minimum term available. Motorists can use this strategy to get essential coverage for the short term.
When searching for coverage, make sure you go through a reputable insurance provider! There are plenty of insurance scams out there offering daily or weekly policies—this coverage is usually illegitimate and non-compliant with state law. We’ll cover what brands you can trust next.

Best companies for temporary car insurance in Pennsylvania

For a short-term insurance policy to work, it should promise two things: 1) free cancellation and 2) refund of unused premiums. Here are some reputable companies fulfilling these requirements:
  • GEICO
    : GEICO provides easy cancellation at any time during your six-month policy period, and you’ll typically get a refund for the unused amount. 
  • Allstate
    : Allstate allows drivers to cancel policies at any time. In most cases, you won’t get a cancellation fee. 
  • USAA
    : Military members and families can cancel their USAA coverage early without getting charged cancellation fees.
  • State Farm
    : The State Farm mobile app makes early cancellations and premium refunds easy.
  • Progressive
    : Progressive’s policies vary from state to state, but you typically won’t be penalized for canceling early.
Read the fine print before signing the dotted line on your new policy. You don’t want to be surprised with any fees when you go to cancel your coverage. 
Having a plan is also essential to successfully acquiring and canceling a short-term policy—you certainly don’t want to find yourself with any gaps in your coverage.
Driving a vehicle in Pennsylvania without insurance is illegal. Every driver must meet
Pennsylvania's car insurance laws
. Penalties for driving without insurance include a 90-day license suspension, a $300 fine, and more.

Alternatives to temporary car insurance

You may qualify for rental car insurance or non-owner car insurance, depending on your circumstances. Pull the right strings and these alternatives can be leveraged to your benefit! Here’s everything Pennsylvania drivers need to know.

Rental car insurance

Renting is usually the go-to solution for short-term vehicle needs. When renting a car, you can sign a collision damage waiver (CDW), which gives you the highest level of protection.
Many experts, however, claim that CDWs are overpriced and not worth the extra cost as compared to standard
rental car insurance
.

Non-owner car insurance

The environment thanks you for taking public transportation. But how does insurance work when you decide to borrow a friend's car instead?
Non-owner car insurance
is the perfect solution for licensed drivers who don’t own a vehicle.
Unlike traditional car insurance, which is anchored to a specific vehicle, non-owner insurance follows you from car to car. As an additional bonus, it’s typically 10% cheaper than traditional insurance.

How to find affordable car insurance in Pennsylvania

Now that you know the rules of temporary insurance, let’s get you hooked up with an affordable rate. The
Jerry
app has made it easier than ever to compare policies, enroll in coverage, and even cancel your old policy.
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls and paperwork for your top pick so that you don’t have to. Jerry is a
licensed broker
and a must-have resource for all drivers in the market for short-term car insurance.
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If you find a policy for less than one month while shopping for temporary car insurance, it’s likely a scam and offers illegitimate coverage. Reputable car insurance brands don’t provide policies shorter than six months, so you’re better off buying a six-month policy and canceling it early.
Driving without car insurance in Pennsylvania can be punishable by a 90-day license suspension, a $300 fine, and more. Whenever you get behind the wheel, make sure your active policy meets the state-mandated 15/30/5 limits for liability insurance and a $5,000 limit for PIP coverage.
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