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Jess Ullrich is a personal finance writer who’s been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work has been published in Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and she's been contributing to Compare.com since 2024. Prior to writing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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We have some bad news for you if you’re seeking temporary car insurance in California: Major insurers don’t typically offer short-term coverage. Instead, most standard policies come in six- or 12-month increments. But don’t worry — you still have some options if you need temporary coverage, including specialized insurers, non-owner insurance, and more.
Here’s what to know about temporary coverage options in California and which companies to consider.
Temporary car insurance doesn’t actually exist — at least not by definition.
You can get something that resembles temporary coverage through several non-traditional channels.
Hugo and Allstate are two top companies offering short-term or pay-per-mile insurance.
Unfortunately, no. Major insurers don’t usually offer temporary car insurance policies. But that doesn’t mean you won’t ever need one. Whether you’re planning an extended visit to California or simply need a short-term policy in the Golden State, having adequate car insurance is essential if you want to be roadworthy.
Even though most traditional car insurance policies are in effect for six or 12 months, several non-traditional options may give you the short-term protection you need.
Some companies may advertise temporary car insurance policies, but these often aren’t reputable. Scammers may target you and attempt to sell you a fake policy on social media or messaging apps. Legitimate insurers don’t engage with customers directly through these channels.
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You may have more short-term auto insurance options than you think if you need temporary car insurance in California. Some specialized insurers offer flexible coverage, but you could also get help from a family member or friend with an existing policy.
Here are some options to consider.
If you plan to stay or drive in California for a few months, you could work with an insurer to get a six-month policy and then cancel your coverage early. Make sure to retain your original coverage until your new policy is effective to avoid an insurance gap. Early cancellation fees may apply.
Hugo is a non-traditional insurance company that offers more flexible auto coverage. Instead of buying an auto policy for six months or a year, you can pay for coverage just days, weeks, or months at a time. This flexibility makes Hugo a great option if you need or can afford insurance for only a short period of time.
If you’re staying with a family member or friend, you could also ask them to temporarily add you to their auto policy. Many insurers (though not all) allow this. Be sure to drive carefully if you go this route, as an at-fault accident or ticket could increase the policyholder’s premiums.
Usage-based insurance could be another option, but you’ll need to find an insurer that operates in California. For example, Mile Auto, a popular usage-based insurer, doesn’t offer coverage in the state, but others may. Several larger companies, like Nationwide, offer their own usage-based policies.
With this type of insurance, you typically pay a base rate and a per-mile rate.
If you plan to borrow someone else’s car, a non-owner policy is another option. This type of policy gives you liability coverage, which protects others and their property if you’re responsible for an accident. But keep in mind that non-owner coverage is secondary. If you get in an accident, it’ll come into play only if you exhaust the vehicle owner’s existing policy limits.
Rental car insurance could be a good choice if you plan to rent a vehicle in California. You can typically get this coverage through your rental car company, and some travel credit cards offer primary rental car insurance as well. If you have a credit card with this perk, you may be able to waive the rental car company’s coverage.
Stored vehicle insurance works a bit differently from other temporary coverages on our list. It protects your car while it’s parked or stored, and it may be worth getting if you’re leaving a car behind for a few months in another state.
Rideshare insurance may be another option if you live in California and are seeking temporary coverage. Typically, rideshare insurance isn’t stand-alone coverage, but rather an add-on to a standard policy. You can get this add-on temporarily if you plan to drive for a ridesharing service in California.
Compare personalized quotes and find a policy that works for your budget.
While it’d be helpful if we could recommend a single best car insurance company, the truth is that the best insurer for you will depend on your driving history and situation.
To get you started with comparing options, we evaluated these and other companies based on coverage flexibility, payment options, existing customer reviews, and availability.
| User Reviews | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | NR |
Hugo lets you turn your auto coverage on or off as you see fit. It also has a flexible payment structure, which allows you to pay at your own pace rather than paying expensive premiums. Coverage from Hugo could be a good choice for California drivers who prioritize flexibility.
Can get coverage quickly
Turn coverage on/off as needed
No hefty premiums
Higher rates for spotty records
Full coverage not currently available
Not yet available in California (but coming soon)
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.7 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $58/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $113/mo |
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and prompt claim handling, but many are unhappy with the constant rate increases, even for safe drivers. Some also reported poor customer service.
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and prompt claim handling, but many are unhappy with the constant rate increases, even for safe drivers. Some also reported poor customer service.
State Farm offers some of the cheapest average car insurance rates for California drivers, which is good news if you’re looking for low-cost coverage. It also has a usage-based insurance program, Drive Safe & Save, that could help you save up to 30% more on your coverage.
Drivers also benefit from ample discounts, including Steer Clear, a safe driver program specifically for teens and young adults.
Offers emergency crash road service coverage
High J.D. Power ratings
Many local agents available
Offers only six- and 12-month policies
Recently downgraded financial ratings
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
| User Reviews | 3.5 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.5 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $72/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $133/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer's efficient service and knowledgeable agents but find the consistently rising rates and lack of communication to be major drawbacks.
Customers appreciate the insurer's efficient service and knowledgeable agents but find the consistently rising rates and lack of communication to be major drawbacks.
Allstate offers usage-based insurance, which could save you money if you don’t drive often. Pay-per-mile coverage is available through its Milewise program, meaning you pay a daily rate plus a per-mile rate. Allstate also has the Drivewise program, which rewards you with a discount for safe driving.
Offers online quotes
Likely costs less than traditional coverage
App includes driving insights
Drivewise discounts vary by state
Below-average J.D. Power ratings
May have higher rates than some competitors
Car insurance companies set their own rates, so insurance prices vary. Your driving history, location, gender, age, and other factors also affect how much you pay.
The table below shows the average liability rates from several insurers offering flexible or short-term coverage.
Company  | Type of Coverage | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | Usage-based | $113 |
| Hugo* | Flexible payment plans | $234 |
| Nationwide | Usage-based | $178 |
| Noblr (by USAA) | Pay-per-mile | $82 |
| State Farm | Usage-based | $126 |
If you still have questions about temporary car insurance in California, we have answers for you.
Temporary car insurance doesn’t really exist. But if you need short-term coverage, try these options:
Work with a specialized insurer
Choose a six-month policy and cancel early
Have a friend or family member add you to their policy
Buy rental car coverage
No. Temporary car insurance isn’t legit. Standard auto insurance policies come only in six- or 12-month increments. If you need short-term coverage, you’ll have to explore non-traditional insurers or use another strategy to get the car insurance you need. Watch out for scammers who may target you online with bogus policies if you’re seeking short-term coverage.
Yes. California requires you to submit proof of insurance to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of registering your car.[1] You’ll need the following coverages to drive legally in the state:[2]
Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $15,000
You can get car insurance for a month in California, but you’ll likely need to get creative. For instance, you might rent a car and opt for their coverage for 30 days, or you could have a family member or friend add you to their policy temporarily.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Jess Ullrich is a personal finance writer who’s been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work has been published in Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and she's been contributing to Compare.com since 2024. Prior to writing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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