Can I Buy Same-Day Car Insurance?
If you’re in need of auto insurance as soon as possible, you can purchase same-day car insurance, getting an instant quote and a policy within a single day.
What’s same-day car insurance?
You’ll need car insurance before you start driving. Same-day car insurance can grant you insurance within a few hours, offering the same coverage you would find in a standard car insurance policy.
In most states, you’re required to have car insurance if you’re driving a vehicle. With same-day car insurance, you’ll be covered if you’re looking to buy a car right away and don’t have insurance.
What companies sell same-day car insurance?
Most car insurance companies offer same-day car insurance, including major insurers like State Farm and Geico. USAA and State Farm offer cheap full-coverage policies at average annual rates of $1,207 and $1,505 a year respectively. However, USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Full-coverage same-day insurance
| Company | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,207 |
| State Farm | $1,505 |
| American Family | $1,920 |
| Geico | $1,942 |
| Progressive | $2,040 |
| Nationwide | $2,271 |
| Allstate | $2,620 |
USAA and State Farm also offer cheap liability-only polices at average annual rates of $413 and $605 respectively.
Minimum-liability same-day insurance
| Company | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| USAA | $413 |
| State Farm | $605 |
| American Family | $728 |
| Geico | $729 |
| Progressive | $795 |
| Nationwide | $980 |
| Allstate | $1,163 |
What are the downsides of same-day car insurance?
While same-day car insurance can be very convenient, note that with some insurers, you might miss out on certain discounts.
Also, you might not find the cheapest option if you’re doing your insurance shopping in a single day.
Also, be aware that purchasing same-day insurance after a traffic accident to attempt to cover yourself could be insurance fraud. Same-day insurance is not retroactive.
How to get same-day car insurance
In order to get car insurance immediately, you’ll need some documents and information readily available. You can get a quote online or by calling insurance companies.
You’ll need to provide the personal information of anyone listed under the policy, which can include:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Home address
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license number
- Email address or phone number
You’ll also have to submit information about the car you’re insuring, such as the make, model or vehicle identification number (VIN).
Furthermore, you may need to provide information about your driving history, which includes traffic violations and accidents.
Picking coverage limits
When getting a quote, you’ll need to determine how much coverage you need. Each state has its own requirements on the minimum amount of car insurance a driver needs.
A minimum-coverage policy, however, may leave you vulnerable if you’re in a car accident. With minimum coverage (also called “minimum liability”), you’ll only be covered for injuries and damage you cause to other people and their property.
Depending on the state you live in, you may also be required to have personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM).
- Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical bills if you’re in an accident regardless of who is at fault.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you’re in an accident that’s caused by another driver who has no insurance. UM coverage can help pay for your medical bills or damage to your car.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protects you if you’re in an accident that’s caused by another driver who doesn’t have enough liability coverage to cover your injuries or damage to your car.
Proof of insurance
Before driving, you’ll need to have proof of insurance. Many insurance companies will offer access to your insurance card through their mobile apps. You may also be able to print out the insurance card.
When is same-day car insurance needed?
There are a few situations that warrant purchasing same-day car insurance.
If you find a car through a dealership or a private party that you want to buy, you can get same-day car insurance so you can drive it home the same day.
Same-day car insurance can also be useful if your car insurance policy is ending and you need a new policy in order to avoid having a gap in coverage.
Same-day car insurance tips
Getting quotes from multiple companies can take just a few minutes and can help you save on car insurance. You may be able to get a cheaper rate with another company for the same coverage.
Insurance companies can also offer different types of discounts or savings, which can help lower your car insurance rate.
If you’re limited in time, however, you can review your policy and shop for car insurance when your policy period is close to ending, which is usually every six or 12 months.
Methodology
Car insurance rates were obtained from Quadrant Information Services for the largest insurance companies in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. Unless otherwise mentioned, prices reflect insurance for a 30-year-old male driver with good credit and a clean driving record. Minimum-liability rates include personal injury protection and/or uninsured motorist coverage where required by state law.
Rates are provided for comparative purposes only. Your rates may vary.