Compare 24-Hour Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements [2023]
You may need to find 24 hour insurance company if you're renting, borrowing, or buying a new car, but finding cheap 24-hour car insurance quotes may be harder than finding regular car insurance.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
UPDATED: Oct 20, 2022
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 20, 2022
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- 24-hour car insurance typically only lasts for a day.
- Not all car insurance companies offer one-day car insurance and it can be expensive.
- There are distinct differences between 24-hour insurance and typical car insurance.
- Multiple scenarios make 24-hour car insurance a necessity.
24-hour car insurance is short-term car insurance that typically lasts for, as the name implies, a single day. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be only 24 hours, temporary car insurance is designed specifically for the short-term driving situation.
While you can always buy car insurance 24 hours a day online, not all car insurance companies offer 24-hour car insurance policies, and it isn’t something that is commonly advertised.
If you need this type of insurance, you may need to look around for a 24-hour insurance agency.
So, can you insure a car for 24 hours? Yes, but finding 24-hour car insurance quotes can be tricky. Not only do you need to find out what the cheapest one-day car insurance is, but you also need to find a 24-hour car insurance company.
Getting multiple quotes and buying car insurance online is the best way to find cheap car insurance that meets your needs.
How can I find 24-hour car insurance near me, you ask? That might be tricky, so read on.
Even if you choose to buy 24-hour car insurance you’ll still need a regular policy eventually. Compare rates on your everyday car insurance here. Enter your ZIP code now and get multiple car insurance quotes for free.
What is 24-hour car insurance?
Short-term car insurance is just like the name implies. It’s really only meant for a very short period of time and not to be used long term.
A long-term, or standard, car insurance policy is the cheapest option if you need insurance for more than a day, week, or month.
This table shows you the average annual rate of a standard policy based on coverage type. This will give you an idea of what a regular policy would cost.
| Group | High Coverage Level Average Annual Car Insurance Rates | Low Coverage Level Average Annual Car Insurance Rates | Medium Coverage Level Average Annual Car Insurance Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $5,139.02 | $4,628.03 | $4,896.81 |
| American Family | $3,416.40 | $3,368.49 | $3,544.37 |
| Farmers | $4,494.13 | $3,922.47 | $4,166.22 |
| Geico | $3,429.14 | $3,001.91 | $3,213.97 |
| Liberty Mutual | $6,356.04 | $5,805.75 | $6,058.57 |
| Nationwide | $3,505.37 | $3,394.83 | $3,449.80 |
| Progressive | $4,350.96 | $3,737.13 | $4,018.46 |
| State Farm | $3,454.80 | $3,055.40 | $3,269.80 |
| Travelers | $4,619.07 | $4,223.63 | $4,462.02 |
| USAA | $2,667.92 | $2,404.11 | $2,539.87 |
Full coverage regular car insurance is about $345 a month.
What are the differences between 24-hour auto insurance and regular car insurance?
In terms of the type of car insurance coverage that you receive, there is no real difference between the two. Just like with regular car insurance, you can purchase liability car insurance coverage only or you can purchase comprehensive and collision coverage.
Liability car insurance covers damages and bodily injury of the other person if you are at fault in an accident.
Collision coverage handles damages and bodily injury of your vehicle and anyone in your car.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage not resulting in an accident, like theft, vandalism, or flooding.
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What are the penalties for driving without car insurance for 24 hours?
Most states require that you at least have some form of liability car insurance. Without it, you can face some serious fines, and if you cause an accident while driving someone else’s vehicle, you will have to figure out how to pay for the damages of all the vehicles involved.
There are stiff penalties involved for driving without the general insurance required by law. This table breaks down those penalties if someone is convicted of driving uninsured. Search for your state in the box below.
| State | Penalties for First Driving Uninsured Offense | Penalties for Second Driving Uninsured Offense |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Fine: Up to $500; registration suspension with $200 reinstatement fee | Fine: Up to $1,000 and/or six-month license suspension; $400 reinstatement fee with four-month registration suspension |
| Alaska | License suspension for 90 days | License suspension for one year |
| Arizona | Fine: $500 (or more); license/registration/license plate suspension for three months | Fine: $750 (or more within 36 months); license/registration/license plate suspension for six months |
| Arkansas | Fine: $50 to $250; suspended registration/no plates until proof of coverage plus $20 reinstatement fee; the court may order impoundment | Fine: $250 to $500 fine — minimum fine mandatory; suspended registration/no plates until proof of coverage plus $20 reinstatement fee. The court may order impoundment. |
| California | Fine: $100-$200 plus penalty assessments. The court may order impoundment | Fine: $200-$500 within three years plus penalty assessments. The court may order impoundment |
| Colorado | Fine: $500 minimum fine; 4 points against your license; license suspension until you can show proof to the DMV that you are insured. Courts may add up to 40 hours community service | $1,000 minimum fine and license suspension for 4 months; 4 points against your license. Courts may add up to 40 hours of community service |
| Connecticut | Fine: $100-$1000; suspended registration/license for one month (show proof of insurance) with $175 reinstatement fee | Fine: $100-$1000; suspended registration/license for six months (show proof of insurance) with $175 reinstatement fee |
| Delaware | Fine: $1500 minimum fine; license/privilege suspension for six months | Fine: $3000 minimum fine within three years; license/privilege suspension for six months |
| Florida | Suspension of license and registration until reinstatement fee is paid and non-cancelable coverage is secured; $150 fee for first reinstatement | Suspension of license and registration until reinstatement fee is paid and non-cancelable coverage is secured; $250 fee for the second reinstatement |
| Georgia | Suspended registration with a $25 lapse fee and $60 reinstatement fee. Pay any other registration fees and vehicle ad valorem taxes due | Within five years: Suspended registration with $25 lapse fee and $60 reinstatement fee. Pay any other registration fees and vehicle ad valorem taxes due |
| Hawaii | Fine: $500 fine or community service granted by the judge. Either license suspension for three months or a required nonrefundable insurance policy in force for six months | Fine: $1500 minimum fine within five years; either license suspension for one year or a required non-refundable insurance policy in force for six months |
| Idaho | Fine: $75; license suspension until financial proof. No reinstatement fee. | Fine: $1000 maximum fine within five years and/or no more than six months in jail; license suspension until financial proof. No reinstatement fee. |
| Illinois | Fine: minimum of $500; License plate suspension until $100 reinstatement fee and insurance proof | Fine: minimum of $1,000; License plate suspension for four months; $100 reinstatement fee and insurance proof |
| Indiana | License/registration suspension for 90 days to one year | Within three years: license/registration suspension for one year |
| Iowa | Fine: $500 if in an accident; Otherwise, fine: $250; community service in lieu of fine. Possible citation/warning if pulled over plus removal of plates and registration possible when pulled over without insurance and reissued upon payment of fine or completed community service, proof of insurance, and $15 fee; possible impoundment when pulled over | N/A |
| Kansas | Fine: $300 to $1000 and/or confinement in jail up to six months; license/registration suspension; reinstatement fee: $100 | Fine: $800 to $2500 within three years; license/registration suspension; reinstatement fee: $300 if revoked within previous year, otherwise $100 |
| Kentucky | Fine: $500 to $1000 fine and/or sentenced up to 90 days in jail; license plates and registration revoked for one year or until proof of insurance is shown | Within five years: 180 days in jail and/or $1000 to $2500; license plates and registration revoked for one year or until proof of insurance is shown |
| Louisiana | Fine: $500 to $1000; If in a car accident, fine plus registration revoked and driving privileges suspended for 180 days | N/A |
| Maine | Fine: $100 to $500; suspension of license and registration until proof of insurance | N/A |
| Maryland | Lose license plates and vehicle registration privileges; pay uninsured motorist penalty fees for each lapse of insurance — $150 for the first 30 days, $7 for each day thereafter; Pay a restoration fee of up to $25 for a vehicle's registration | N/A |
| Massachusetts | Fine: $500 to $5000 fine and/or imprisonment for one year or less | Within six years: License/driving privileges suspended for one year |
| Michigan | Fine: $200 to $500 fine and/or imprisonment for one year or less; license suspension for 30 days or until proof of insurance; $25 service fee to Secretary of State | N/A |
| Minnesota | Fine: $200 to $1000 (or community service) and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days; License and registration revoked for no more than 12 months | N/A |
| Mississippi | Fine: $1000; driving privileges suspended for one year or until proof of insurance | N/A |
| Missouri | Four points against driving record; the driver may be supervised; suspended until proof of insurance with $20 reinstatement fee | Four points against driving record; the driver may be supervised; suspended for 90 days with $200 reinstatement fee |
| Montana | Fine: $250 to $500 fine and/or imprisonment for no more than 10 days | Fine: $350 and/or imprisonment for no more than 10 days — within 5 years; license and registration revoked until proof of insurance and payment of reinstatement fees within 90 days |
| Nebraska | License and registration suspension; reinstatement fee of $50 for each; proof of insurance to remain on file for three years | N/A |
| Nevada | Fine: $250 to $1,000 depending on the length of lapse; registration suspension — until payment of reinstatement fee and, depending on circumstances, an SR-22 (proof of financial responsibility) if lapsed more than 90 days; reinstatement fee: $250 | Fine: $500 to $1000 depending on the length of lapse; registration suspension — until payment of reinstatement fee and, depending on circumstances, SR-22 (proof of financial responsibility) if lapsed more than 90 days; Reinstatement fee: $500 |
| New Hampshire | Not a mandatory insurance state. Proof of insurance may be required as the result of a conviction, crash involvement, or administrative action. If you are required to file proof of insurance and vehicles are registered in your name, you will be required to file an Owner’s SR-22 Certificate of Insurance. | N/A |
| New Jersey | Fine: $300 to $1000; license suspension for one year; pay surcharges for three years in the amount of $250 per year | Fine: up to $5000; two-year license suspension; 14-day, mandatory jail term, and an additional mandatory 30 days of community service |
| New Mexico | Fine: up to $300 and/or imprisoned for 90 days; license suspension | N/A |
| New York | Fine: up to $1500 if involved in accident plus $750 civil penalty; license and registration suspension – revoked for one year; suspension of the license if without insurance for 90 days; suspension lasts as long as registration suspension; Suspension of registration: equal to time without insurance or pays $8/day up to thirty days for which financial security was not in effect, $10/day from the thirty-first to the sixtieth day $12/day from the sixtieth to the ninetieth day and proof of security is provided. Or for the same time as the vehicle was operated without insurance. | N/A |
| North Carolina | Fine: $50; registration suspension until proof of financial responsibility but 30-day suspension if in a car accident or knowingly driving without insurance; $50 restoration fee plus license plate fee | Fine: $100 within three years; registration suspension until proof of financial responsibility but 30-day suspension if in a car accident or knowingly driving without insurance; $50 restoration fee plus license plate fee |
| North Dakota | Fine: up to $1500 and/or 30 days in prison; 14 points against license plus suspension; Proof of insurance must be provided for one year; license with a notation requiring that person keep proof of liability insurance on file with the department. The fee for this license is $50, and the fee to remove this notation is $50. | Fine: up to $1500 and/or 30 days in prison; 14 points against license plus suspension; license plates impounded until proof of insurance (provided for one year) plus $20 reinstatement fee; license with a notation requiring that person keep proof of liability insurance on file with the department. The fee for this license is $50 and the fee to remove this notation is $50. |
| Ohio | License/plates/registration suspension until requirements are met and $100 reinstatement fee is paid; maintain special high-risk coverage on file with the BMV for three to five years; If involved in an accident without insurance: all above penalties and a security suspension for two-plus years and an indefinite judgment suspension (until all damages are satisfied) | License/plates/registration suspension for one year; $300 reinstatement fee; maintain special high-risk coverage on file with the BMV for three or five years; if involved in an accident without insurance: all above penalties and a security suspension for two-plus years and an indefinite judgment suspension (until all damages are satisfied) |
| Oklahoma | Fine: $250; jail time up to 30 days; license suspension with $275 reinstatement fee. Police can seize license plates and assign temporary plates and liability insurance — in effect for 10 days and can also impound the vehicle. The cost of the temporary coverage is added to the administrative fee and any fines paid for plates to be returned. If the car impounded, the owner must also pay towing and storage fees. | N/A |
| Oregon | Fine: $130-$1000 ($260 is the presumptive fine); If involved in an accident — at least a one-year license suspension; proof of financial responsibility required for three years | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | Registration suspended for three months (unless lapse was for less than 31 days and the vehicle not operated during that time); $88 restoration fee plus proof of insurance required to get it back; $500 civil penalty fee is optional in lieu of registration suspension plus $88 restoration fee — can only use this option once within a 12-month period | N/A |
| Rhode Island | Fine: $100 to $500; license and registration suspension up to three months; reinstatement fee: $30 to $50 | Fine: $500; license and registration suspension up to six months; reinstatement fee: $30 to $50 |
| South Carolina | Fine: $100-$200 or 30-day imprisonment; failure to surrender registration and plates when insurance lapses; license/registration suspended until proof of insurance plus $200 reinstatement fee | Fine: $200 and/or 30-day imprisonment — within 10 years; license/registration suspended until proof of insurance plus $200 reinstatement fee |
| South Dakota | Fine: $100 and/or 30 days imprisonment; license suspension for 30 days to one year; filing proof of insurance (SR-22) with the state for three years from the date of conviction. Failure to file proof will result in the suspension of vehicle registration, license plates, and driver license. | N/A |
| Tennessee | Pay $25 coverage failure fee within 30 days of notice; if not paid, then an additional $100 coverage failure fee with suspension or revocation of registration plus reinstatement fee of no more than $25 | N/A |
| Texas | Fine: $175 to $350 fine; plus, pay up to a $250 surcharge every year for three years (may be reduced with certain requirements) | Fine: $350 to $1000; pay up to a $250 surcharge every year for three years (may be reduced with certain requirements); suspend the driver's license and vehicle registrations of the person unless the person files and maintains evidence of financial responsibility with the department until the second anniversary of the date of the subsequent conviction; Impoundment: for 180 days and cannot apply for the release of the car without evidence of financial responsibility and an impoundment fee of $15/day. |
| Utah | Fine: $400; license suspension until proof of insurance (maintained for three years) and $100 reinstatement fee | Fine: $1000 — with three years; license suspension until proof of insurance (maintained for three years) and $100 reinstatement fee |
| Vermont | Fine: up to $500; license suspended until proof of insurance | N/A |
| Virginia | Fine: may pay $500 Uninsured Motorists Vehicle fee to drive without insurance at your own risk. If this fee is not paid in lieu of insurance, all driving and vehicle registration privileges will be suspended until a $500 statutory fee is paid, proof of insurance is filed for three years, and a reinstatement fee (if applicable) is paid | N/A |
| Washington | Fine: Up to $250 or more | N/A |
| West Virginia | Fine: $200 to $5000; license suspended for 30 days with reinstatement fees, unless there's proof of insurance and $200 penalty fee | Fine: $200-$5000 fine and/or 15 days to one year in jail — within five years; license suspended for 90 days and registration revoked until proof of insurance |
| Wisconsin | Fine: up to $500 | N/A |
| Wyoming | Fine: up to $750 fine and up to six months in jail | N/A |
The easy way to avoid any of these penalties is to make sure you have car insurance.
This video breaks down the different types of car insurance coverage available.
Of course, one of the primary differences between these two types of coverage is the duration of coverage. 24-hr car insurance is meant to provide coverage for a day while regular car insurance is meant to be long-term insurance.
A major difference between the two is cost. 24-hour car insurance is very cheap, as you are only paying for the cost for one day.
If you have to extend this coverage for several days—which is possible with many insurance companies—then you will find that it will eventually become too expensive to maintain.
A regular car insurance policy requires higher payments in terms of the monthly expense compared to a one-day expense.
If you pay $10 a day for your 24-hour car insurance or $90 a month for your regular car insurance, then you can see that a regular insurance policy is much cheaper in the long run.
In other words, affordable 24-hour car insurance is only worthwhile if you don’t need it for a longer period of time.
The standard insurance policy equates to about $3 a day compared to the $10 a day for 24-hour car insurance.
Because there are so few companies that offer it, finding several to do a 24-hour car insurance comparison of rates is a challenge. Furthermore, you might need to find 24-hour car insurance phone numbers rather than quoting online, as it’s not readily available.
What are the benefits of 24-hour insurance?
The major benefit of 24-hour car insurance is that you don’t have to carry the coverage for a long time. If you only need coverage for a very short amount of time, it is much cheaper to pay for temporary car insurance, as opposed to a conventional policy.
Wondering if you can get one-day car insurance may be a new concept. Let’s look at some reasons you might need short-term car insurance and who can qualify for it.
Why would you need 24hr car insurance?
There are many reasons that you might consider this type of short-term coverage:
- Rentals — 24-hour car insurance is ideal for individuals who are renting a car and don’t have another way to cover the cost of the rental. 24-hour car insurance is very inexpensive, which means that you may find that it is much more affordable to purchase a 24-hour car insurance policy than to purchase insurance directly from the rental company. Nolo helps you understand your car-rental rights, such as not having to buy extra insurance through the rental car company.
- Borrowing — Another reason that you may need to purchase 24-hour car insurance is that you are borrowing someone else’s vehicle for a day and their insurance doesn’t include you as a driver. These situations tend to come up suddenly. Fortunately, most insurance companies that offer 24-hour insurance can provide you with an instant auto insurance policy. According to Freeadvice.com, there are additional legal issues to be aware of when borrowing a car.
- New Car — Another instance in which you might choose 24-hour car insurance is if you purchase a vehicle but aren’t sure what insurance company you want to use to cover your vehicle. A 24-hour car insurance policy will provide you with the necessary coverage while you take the time to do a proper search using a quote tool.
There is a wide range of reasons you might need to use a car for just one day, ranging from a fun road trip to a sudden emergency out of town. One-day insurance can give you the coverage you need so you’re not driving illegally.
In these scenarios, not only do you need to find 24-hour car insurance companies, but you also may need one that offers same-day car insurance. Instant car insurance will get you on the road quickly when renting, borrowing, or buying a car.
Other alternatives in these situations are pay-as-you-go and non-owners car insurance. These options will cost you a little more but will last longer than one day.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance is based on how much you drive. Less time on the road equals less money out of your pocket.
Non-owner car insurance is liability insurance on a car that you drive but do not own. This would be the route to take if you borrow a car often from someone else.
No matter what happens, you must ensure that you have the proper insurance coverage.
Who can get 24-hour car insurance?
24-hour car insurance is different than other types of insurance policies, as it doesn’t matter how good of a driver you are.
If you are under 21, you will not be able to buy 24-hour car insurance.
In addition, many insurance companies won’t sell a 24-hour car insurance policy to drivers under the age of 25.
As an older driver, you will still have to have an excellent driving record in order to purchase one of these policies.
If you are a high-risk driver, there is no negotiating on this point. Car insurance companies will consider you high risk if you have multiple violations, such as speeding, accidents, or DUIs on your driving record.
An insurance company doesn’t charge you more if you are a higher risk, they simply refuse to write you a policy.
It is possible that one insurance company will refuse to write you a policy while another one will be fine with providing you with coverage. Different car insurance companies have different requirements, coverages, and rates.
This is another reason why it is so important for you to shop around—you may be able to get the coverage that you need this way.
To find out if USAA car insurance, Progressive car insurance, or any of the other major companies offer one-day car insurance, you’ll need to contact your car insurance agent.
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Can you get one month of car insurance?
If you need insurance for more than one day, but not a long-term policy, check with your insurance agent. They may have one- or six-month options available. Different insurance providers offer different increments of coverage.
Compare 24-Hour Auto Insurance Quotes to Save
You should always make sure that you have adequate auto insurance before getting into a vehicle. If you don’t want to spend too much money on car insurance, then you might want to look at short-term plans. It’s always best to compare quotes online because doing so allows you to see which plan has the lowest rate. When shopping for car insurance, remember that each state requires its residents to carry certain minimum amounts of insurance.
Now that you know more information about 24-hour car insurance, it’s time to start shopping.
Compare multiple quotes to find out who has cheap 24-hour car insurance. It’s quick and easy to do. You can even buy car insurance online with a checking account number.
If you are still asking “How can I get car insurance for one day?”, we can help. Try comparing 24-hour car insurance quotes with what you’d pay on a regular policy. Just enter your ZIP code to see rates now.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.