Temp or temporary car insurance is a great option for people in some situations. While it is more expensive than long-term insurance for extended periods, it makes sense and will save money in situations where longer-term insurance is not needed or too expensive. The market for temp insurance is much more developed in the UK, but similar insurance can also be found in the US.
Temp car insurance in the UK
Temporary car in insurance in the UK is relatively new but offers a lot. It can be taken out for periods of 1 to 28 days, and consecutive policies are also possible. It is a fast and easy way to buy car insurance online. Someone needing insurance can simply fill in the forms, and an approved policy will be available for immediate print out.
Where temp car insurance comes in handy
- This type of insurance is great in a number of situations to include the following:
- It is a way to save on young driver’s insurance when they do not drive so often. Just buy insurance for the days they need it.
- Temp car insurance makes it possible for someone else to share the driving on a long trip when an existing policy will not cover them or in any situation where there are temporary additional drivers.
- When someone has just bought a car, temporary car insurance can assure coverage when driving home from the storeroom floor.
- In other case such as when traveling or when longer-term insurance simply is not needed, temporary insurance is a money-saving option.
Temporary car insurance in the US
With virtually every state requiring at least liability insurance, some form of insurance needs to be purchased even if the driver is not interested. Often referred to as short-term insurance in the US, temporary insurance is insurance that is bought for shorter periods than the standard 6-month or 12-month terms.
In the US, this insurance is usually sold in 2-week or 4-week segments. It is a useful and sometimes money-saving tool in the US too and can be used for many of the same reasons at it is in the UK. It may be needed when borrowing someone else’s car, as a temporary bridge between insurances, when the person will only be driving for a limited period of time, as a temporary young driver’s insurance and other situations where longer-term insurance is not needed.
While major insurance companies such as State Farm, Geico and Progressive Auto offer short-term insurance, it is not always available in the form it is needed. In this situation, the most practical option may be to buy a longer-term policy, cancel when it is no longer needed and have the unused, pro-rate portion refunded. Whatever one does, it is never a good idea to drive uninsured for legal and practical reasons.
While inexpensive car insurance is increasingly hard to find, temp car insurance does off a way to rein in costs in some situations and should be considered where it is available.
