Most car insurance policies are six or 12 months, but some drivers may need shorter coverage, such as when renting or renting a car. Normally you won’t be able to buy an insurance policy within six months, but there are potential workarounds to get short-term car insurance in California, as well as a red flag to attract attention.
What is temporary car insurance?
For short-term or temporary car insurance in California, most reputable car insurance companies offer insurance with a term of six or 12 months. You need to be careful with businesses that claim to provide daily, weekly, or monthly policies. Because it could be misleading or completely fraudulent about the financial protections they offer.
Having a short six-month policy compared to an annual policy has several advantages and some drawbacks to consider. Depending on your situation, it may be helpful to update your policy more frequently (and your rates will be re-evaluated). That said, a 12-month policy means you lock the rate for a longer period of time, depending on your situation.
Pros and cons of short-term insurance in California
| Six Month Policy | 12 Month Policy |
|---|---|
|
Strong Points: Frequent updates can cause prices to drop faster It may be easier to pay the insurance premiums completely for a discount |
Strong Points: Possibility to lock to a lower rate for longer periods You can secure a long discount |
|
Cons: Frequent updates can cause prices to rise more frequently You need to print or store new insurance cards more frequently |
Cons: Fewer reminders to shop and check your coverage |
How much is short-term car insurance in California?
Car insurance premiums, loyal to California’s high cost of living, are steeper in Golden State, surpassing the national average of over $200 with a six-month full coverage policy, based on data from Quadrant Information Services in June 2025. Companies may adjust fees for shorter insurance contract lengths. This means that short-term car insurance policies may not be half the amount of annual car insurance. While car insurance premiums are personalized based on many factors, including driving records and age, it is important to note that you cannot use credit-based insurance scores and gender usage to calculate car insurance rates in California.
| National average of six months full coverage premium | Average 6 months of full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| $1,340 | $1,550 |
Each car insurance company has its own way of calculating fees, so car insurance premiums also vary. Below is the average cost of a comparison of five major airlines in California and a six-month full compensation policy. Please note that these are average and your premiums may be higher or lower based on your personal factors, coverage you choose, and individual company adjusted fees in the six-month policy.
Temporary car insurance options
Apart from the six-month policy, there are several other temporary car insurance options available to California drivers. The following coverage types may be beneficial to some drivers, depending on the situation: However, availability, coverage provided, and duration of each will vary depending on the particular car insurance company.
Non-owner Insurance Contract
Non-owner insurance may be a good solution for drivers who do not own the vehicle and cannot access the vehicle regularly, but still need to drive from time to time. It may be cheaper than standard car insurance, but that’s because it only includes liability coverage. Non-owner policies typically provide coverage for at least six months. You can find non-owner insurance specializing in non-standard coverage from car insurance companies in California.
Car Rental Insurance
If you are planning to rent a car, consider purchasing additional car rental insurance. These are issued by rental agencies and will only last as long as you have the vehicle. Standard automotive policies may extend coverage to rental vehicles, but they do not have sufficient restrictions to provide the type of coverage you need or the financial protection you need. Talk to your existing car insurance company to learn what circumstances could guarantee you to secure temporary car rental insurance to close your financial protection.
Short-term insurance for storage vehicles
Some car insurance companies offer short-term car insurance solutions for storage vehicles. If your car is not driven at all, you may be able to drop all coverage types except comprehensive insurance that covers potential storage risks such as vandalism and weather damage. Your rate should be lower as your claim risk will be significantly lower when your claim risk is not on the road as you pay with less coverage. However, there may be restrictions such as where the car is stored during storage and who can access it.
Rideshare Insurance
When driving towards ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, it is important to understand how ride-sharing drivers’ car insurance works. As a driver, you have your own car insurance policy. This may only insure you while your app is turned off and you are on a personal trip. If the app is turned on and you are getting off and picking up passengers, then the Rideshare Company insurance is valid.
Before you resort to car insurance from a ride-sharing company, check what you cover, not just the applicable deduction amount. You can also contact your personal car insurance company to ask about ride share approvals that could give you additional coverage to fill potential gaps while you’re working, such as when you’re waiting for a ride request.
How to get short-term car insurance
- Check your personal situation: There are many reasons why short-term coverage is needed. Understanding the coverage you need and the appropriate first step in finding the right temporary coverage provider and policy type: time period.
- Find a carrier that will provide you with the coverage you need. Not all carriers offer storage policies or ride-share approvals. Do some research and find a list of carriers that will provide you with the coverage you need. If there is a problem, a licensed agent or broker can assist you in this process.
- Compare quotes with providers: To find the cheapest rate, compare quotes and coverage offers from a carrier list. The best car insurance companies may not have the cheapest rates, but consider that they may be superior in customer service, digital tools, and third-party ratings.
- Purchase policy: Once you find a policy that meets your needs and budget, you can complete coverage. Please note that most airlines can cancel your insurance policy at any time. We recommend that you check your carrier’s cancellation policy before purchasing coverage.
FAQ
Methodology
Using Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate analyzes June 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states, with Washington DC rates being weighted based on population density for each geographical region. The cited fees are based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with clean driving records, good credits and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 per person physical injury liability
- $300,000 for each accident
- Liability for property damages of $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured driver physical injury for $100,000 per person
- Uninsured driver’s physical injury for $300,000 per accident
- $500 collision deduction possible
- Comprehensive $500 deduction
To determine the minimum coverage limit, bank rates used minimum coverage to meet the requirements of each state. Our base profile driver owns a 2023 Toyota Camry, commutes five days a week and drives 12,000 miles a year. Bundles and paperless billing discounts apply.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only. Your quote is different.
If specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
