Temporary Car Insurance in Texas: Options, Costs, and Alternatives in 2026
Hugo, Mile Auto, and Allstate are our top picks for flexible car insurance in Texas.
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Written byDanny Smith
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Danny SmithInsurance Writer
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Edited byMatthew Gross
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Matthew GrossEditor
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations | Insurance Information Institute
Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
Updated
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Unfortunately, true temporary car insurance doesn’t exist, neither in Texas nor the rest of the country. Most insurance companies offer standard policies in only six- or 12-month increments, and anything shorter than that opens them up to additional risk.
That said, you can still find ways to get short-term coverage, including canceling a six-month policy early, using innovative insurers like Hugo, or buying usage-based insurance.
Here’s what you need to know about temporary car insurance in Texas, popular alternatives for short-term coverage, and a few of the best insurance companies in the Lone Star State.
Key Takeaways
No car insurance company sells true temporary car insurance. Beware of companies that advertise this.
Hugo is an excellent alternative that offers six-month policies with flexible payment options.
Non-owner car insurance is an option if you regularly borrow a car from a friend or family member.
Compare Temporary Car Insurance Options in Texas
We sourced the data in this table from Compare.com users who indicated they're existing customers of the insurers you see here.
Can You Get Temporary Car Insurance in Texas?
If you’re borrowing a car, doing a test-drive, or even if you’re short on cash, you might need temporary car insurance coverage to meet your state’s minimum-coverage limits. But unfortunately, major insurance companies don’t actually offer true temporary insurance. Instead, traditional car insurance policies come in either six- or 12-month terms.
Like nearly every state, Texas requires all drivers to have car insurance, so if you’re borrowing a car or even just driving it once, you’ll need to have some sort of auto coverage.[1] But even if you don’t want to sign up for six months of insurance, you still have options for securing short-term coverage.
We’ll cover all the best options in the sections below.
Watch out for scams
Be wary of any companies advertising temporary car insurance. Some insurers may claim to offer daily or weekly coverage, but this is typically a scam. Companies looking to take advantage of you will often offer dramatically cheap rates and make it easy for you to get a policy.
In general, follow the old rule of thumb: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Cheapest Options for Short-Term Car Insurance in Texas
Car insurance rates can vary widely from one insurer to the next since each company weighs various factors differently. For example, if you have a speeding ticket or at-fault accident on your driving record, you may find that one insurer is more forgiving than another when it comes to how much those infractions drive up your premiums. The key to getting the best rate for you is to compare several companies head-to-head.
With that in mind, the table below highlights the average liability rates in Texas for several insurers offering forms of short-term car insurance coverage, according to our data.
Company  | Type of Coverage | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | Pay-per-mile | $78 |
| Hugo | Flexible payment plans | $198 |
| Mile Auto | Pay-per-mile | $78 |
| Nationwide | Pay-per-mile | $125 |
| Noblr (by USAA) | Pay-per-mile | $99 |
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .
The Best Texas Insurers for Short-Term Coverage
No single insurance company is the best option for every Texas driver. Everyone has unique rating factors and budgets, so the right insurer will vary from person to person.
Still, we chose the following insurers as some of Texas’ best for temporary coverage, based on factors like coverage flexibility, payment options, customer reviews, average premiums, and more.
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|
J.D. Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
Not rated
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
-1
AM Best
AM Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR
Why we picked this company
Hugo is the best car insurance company for drivers looking for flexibility in their short-term coverage. Hugo allows you to turn coverage on and off as you please, making it extremely convenient for drivers who want complete control of their insurance.
It requires low down payments — sometimes as little as $0 down, according to its website — and Hugo charges any fees spread over time to make it easier to budget.
Pros
Offers coverage for as little as three days
Low down payments
Very high Trustpilot rating
Cons
No financial strength rating from AM Best because they use partner carriers to underwrite coverage
Available in only 16 states
Full-coverage plans are limited
| AM Best AM Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | NR |
|---|---|
| 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. | 4.4 /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. | $75/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. | $134/mo |
J.D. Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
Not rated
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
2.18
Why we picked this company
Mile Auto is one of the best options for Texas drivers looking for pay-per-mile insurance. With Mile Auto, you pay only for the miles you drive, plus a base rate based on your driving history, location, age, and other factors. If you don’t drive often, a policy from Mile Auto can save you some serious cash.
And you don’t need to install a device or download an app to track your mileage, either. Just take a picture of your odometer each month and send it to Mile Auto.
Pros
Offers roadside assistance
No required telematics device
Mixed ratings on Trustpilot
Cons
Not many discounts available
Available in only eight states
No AM Best financial strength rating
| User Reviews | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| 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. | $74/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. | $148/mo |
3.8
A solid optionBased on 492 verified guest reviews and ratings
Allstate's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 3.9 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 3.9 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.6 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.6 | 2.9 |
How drivers feel about Allstate
Customers appreciate the insurer's efficient service and knowledgeable agents but find the consistently rising rates and lack of communication to be major drawbacks.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Compare.com
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 181 Allstate reviews
Verified Review
Reviewed in Texas on April 8, 2026
I am not getting a fair deal financially with Allstate for both car and house insurance.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Texas on March 4, 2026
The price just keeps rising, which is really hard for seniors.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Texas on February 23, 2026
We are senior citizens on a fixed income and have been with Allstate for 5 years. We've had only one small claim, but even before that, the rates have consistently gone up. Now we are checking on other options for home and auto coverage.
J.D. Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
646
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.02
AM Best
AM Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A-
Why we picked this company
One of the largest car insurance companies in the country, Allstate offers a wide array of coverages and discounts to all types of drivers. It also has multiple ways to save through its usage-based programs, Milewise and Drivewise. Milewise is Allstate’s pay-per-mile car insurance program that charges drivers a daily base rate plus a per-mile rate. It’s a great option for drivers with short commutes and retirees.
Pros
Many discounts available
Available in all 50 states
AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior)
Cons
Low Trustpilot rating
Above-average number of customer complaints
Average rates may be higher than some competitors
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Rates in Texas start as low as $56 per month.
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How to Get Temporary Car Insurance Coverage in Texas
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Fortunately, you have several options for securing short-term coverage in Texas. One of the most common ways drivers secure temporary car insurance is with a pay-as-you-go policy, which charges you for only the mileage you’ve driven.
This option offers a lot of flexibility in terms of policy duration but typically only basic liability coverage. If you need full coverage — which also includes collision and comprehensive insurance — you’ll likely have to go with an insurer that offers standard six-month and 12-month policies.
Some other good options for temporary car insurance include non-owner insurance and pay-per-mile policies. But these are just a few alternatives. We’ll dive into all the possibilities below.
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Cancel a six-month policy early
One option for short-term car insurance in Texas is to simply buy a six-month policy and cancel it early. For example, if you need insurance for only three months, you can enjoy the benefits of standard car insurance, and then cancel it halfway through.
If you decide to go this route, it’s important to find a company that doesn’t charge cancellation fees. Most insurers don’t, but some companies that specialize in high-risk drivers — like Mercury and The General — may charge a fee for canceling your policy early.
Consider flexible coverage from companies like Hugo
Hugo is an Insurtech managing general agent that specializes in flexible car insurance. It offers pay-as-you-go policies for relatively affordable rates. The company offers policy periods as short as three days, allowing you to turn coverage off and on as needed.
But Hugo mostly offers only state-minimum liability coverage as of this writing, so it may not be a great option if you drive a newer vehicle — especially if your lender or leasing company requires full coverage.
Have someone else add you to their policy
One way to secure temporary coverage is to have a family member or friend add you to their policy for a short period. For example, if you’re visiting a family member and want to drive their car, they can typically add you to their policy for a set period of time. But keep in mind that every insurer and policy is different, so check with your company or insurance agent to see if this is an option for you.
Usage-based insurance
Usage-based car insurance is a relatively broad term for two newer types of insurance: telematics programs and pay-per-mile policies.[2]
Mileage-based coverage — also known as pay-per-mile insurance — charges you a base rate plus a per-mile rate for the number of miles you drive each month. These options are great for safe drivers and people who don’t drive often.
Non-owner insurance
Non-owner car insurance, as the name suggests, is a good option for people who regularly drive a vehicle they don’t own. But like most forms of temporary or short-term coverage, non-owner insurance typically provides only liability coverage.
Rental car insurance
If you’re renting a car, you’ll likely need some form of rental car insurance. While you technically don’t need to have rental car insurance, it’s a good idea to get it if you don’t have a personal auto insurance policy. But if you do, it’ll likely overlap with most of what the rental coverage would provide, as this coverage is included in a standard auto policy.[3]
Stored vehicle insurance
If you’re putting your car into storage, you might want to invest in stored vehicle coverage. This isn’t an actual type of policy but rather a reference to having only comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance protects against non-collision events, such as severe weather, theft, fire, or vandalism. And if you want to keep your registration current and active, you’ll need to maintain your state’s minimum liability coverage limits, too.
FAQs About Temporary Car Insurance in Texas
If you’re looking for short-term coverage, take a look at these answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about temporary car insurance in Texas.
Can you buy temporary car insurance in Texas?
Yes. You can buy temporary car insurance in Texas, but not in the form of a standard car insurance policy. You can secure temporary coverage in a number of ways, including by canceling a traditional policy early, buying pay-per-mile or pay-as-you-go insurance, or having someone add you to their policy.
Is temporary car insurance legit?
No. True temporary car insurance isn’t legit. Major insurers don’t offer standard car insurance policies for less than six months. But you have alternatives to temporary car insurance, such as non-owner and pay-per-mile coverage.
Can you drive a car without insurance in Texas if you just bought it?
No. You can’t drive a car without insurance in Texas — even if you just bought it. Texas law requires all drivers to have minimum liability car insurance limits when behind the wheel, even when driving it off the lot.
Texas requires all drivers to have $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, as well as $25,000 per accident in property damage liability insurance.
Can you get car insurance for only one month in Texas?
No. While you can’t get standard car insurance for only one month in Texas, you can get certain types of coverage for shorter periods of time. For example, you can buy pay-per-mile, non-owner insurance, or pay-as-you-go insurance for shorter terms than a traditional policy.
How much does temporary car insurance cost in Texas?
It depends. You can’t buy temporary car insurance in Texas. That said, you have other short-term options, including canceling your policy early. Minimum coverage in Texas starts at $56 per month, but keep in mind that many insurers charge a fee if you cancel your policy before the end of the term.
Where can you find temporary car insurance in Texas?
You have many options when it comes to temporary car insurance in Texas. You could buy a policy and cancel it early or have someone add you to their policy. You can also consider alternatives to traditional car insurance, like usage-based insurance or non-owner insurance.
Can you get temporary insurance on an already insured car?
No. If a car already has insurance, it typically covers you if something happens while you’re driving it. Most insurers don’t offer policies shorter than six months.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Auto insurance guide."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "How you drive could save you money on car insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Rental car insurance."
Methodology
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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Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Danny SmithInsurance Writer
Matthew GrossEditor
Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations | Insurance Information Institute
Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
