Short-term car insurance in California
Most car insurance policies are six or 12 months long, but some drivers may want coverage for a shorter period of time — for example, if they’re renting or borrowing a car. While you generally can’t purchase a policy for less than six months, there are potential workarounds to getting short-term car insurance in California, as well as red flags to keep an eye out for.
What is temporary auto insurance?
For short-term or temporary car insurance in California, most reputable car insurance carriers offer policies with six- or 12-month terms. You should proceed carefully with any companies that claim to offer daily, weekly or monthly policies, as they may be misleading about the financial protection they provide or even be outright scams.
Having a shorter, six-month policy compared to an annual policy has some advantages as well as some drawbacks to consider. Depending on your situation, you may find it helpful to have your policy renewed (and your rate re-evaluated) more frequently. That said, 12-month policies mean you lock in rates for a longer period of time, which could also be helpful, depending on your circumstances.
Pros and cons of short-term insurance in California
| 6-month policies | 12-month policies |
|---|---|
|
Pros: Rates may decrease more quickly with frequent renewals May be easier to pay premium in full for a discount |
Pros: Potential to lock in lower rates for a longer period Can secure discounts for longer periods of time |
|
Cons: Rates could increase more often with frequent renewals Need to print or save new insurance cards more often |
Cons: Fewer reminders to shop and review your coverage |
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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
How much is short-term car insurance in California?
True to California’s high cost of living, car insurance premiums are steep in the Golden State, running more than $200 above the national average for a 6-month full coverage policy, based on June 2025 data from Quadrant Information Services. Companies may adjust rates for shorter policy lengths, which means your short-term car insurance policy may not be exactly half the amount of an annual car insurance policy. Car insurance rates are personalized based on many factors, such as driving record and age, but it is important to note that the use of your credit-based insurance score and gender cannot be used to calculate your car insurance rate in California.
| National average 6-month full coverage premium | CA average 6-month full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| $1,340 | $1,550 |
Car insurance rates also vary because each car insurance company has its own method for calculating rates. Below is a comparison of five major carriers within California, and the average cost of a full coverage policy for six months. Keep in mind that these are averages, and your premium could be higher or lower based on your personal factors, the coverage you choose and the individual company’s adjusted rates for a 6-month policy.
| Carrier | Average 6-month premium for full coverage in CA |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $1,199 |
| Allstate | $1,929 |
| Farmers | $1,752 |
| Nationwide | $1,566 |
| Progressive | $1,137 |
Temporary car insurance options
There are a couple of other temporary car insurance options available to California drivers aside from a six-month policy. The coverage types below may be beneficial for some drivers, depending on their circumstances. However, the availability, the amount of coverage offered and the duration of each will depend on the specific car insurance company.
Non-owner insurance policy
A non-owner insurance policy may be a good solution for drivers who do not own a vehicle and do not have regular access to a vehicle, but who still need to drive occasionally. It may be cheaper than standard car insurance, but that is likely because it only includes liability coverage. Non-owner policies usually provide coverage for at least six months. You can find non-owner insurance from car insurance companies in California that specialize in non-standard coverage.
Rental car insurance
If you plan to rent a car, you might consider purchasing additional rental car insurance. These are issued by the rental agency and only last for as long as you have the vehicle. While a standard auto policy may extend coverage to a rental vehicle, it may not have all the necessary coverage types or high enough limits to provide the financial protection you require. Speak with your existing car insurance company to learn which situations might warrant getting temporary insurance for a rental car to round out your financial protection.
Short-term insurance for stored vehicles
Some car insurance companies offer short-term auto insurance solutions for stored vehicles. If your car is not being driven at all, you may be able to drop all coverage types except comprehensive insurance, which covers potential storage risks like vandalism or weather damage. Your rate should be lower since you’re paying for less coverage and because your claim risk drops significantly when you’re not out on the road. However, there may be restrictions, such as where your car is kept during the storage period and who has access to it.
Rideshare insurance
If you drive for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, it’s important to understand how car insurance for rideshare drivers works. As a driver, you have your own car insurance policy, which may only insure you while your app is turned off and you are making personal trips. If your app is turned on and you are dropping off and picking up passengers, then the rideshare company’s insurance is in effect.
Before relying on your rideshare company’s car insurance, make sure you review what it covers, as well as any applicable deductibles. You can also reach out to your personal car insurance company to inquire about rideshare endorsements that could give additional coverage to fill potential gaps while you are working, such as when you are waiting for a ride request.
How to get short-term car insurance
- Review your personal situation: There are many reasons for needing short-term coverage. figuring out what coverage you need and for how long is a good first step to finding the right temporary coverage provider and policy type.
- Find carriers that offer the coverage you need: Not every carrier offers storage policies or rideshare endorsements. Do some research and find a list of carriers that offer the coverage you need. If you’re having trouble, a licensed agent or broker can help you with this process.
- Compare providers and quotes: To find the cheapest rate, compare quotes and coverage offerings from your list of carriers. Consider that the best car insurance companies might not have the cheapest rates, but they may excel in customer service, digital tools and third-party ratings.
- Purchase your policy: Once you’ve found a policy that meets your needs and budget, you can finalize your coverage. Keep in mind that most carriers allow you to cancel an insurance policy at any time (but sometimes with a fee), so even if you buy a 6- or 12-month policy, you can switch carriers down the line. It’s a good idea to check the carrier’s cancellation policy before buying coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze June 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. Bundling and paperless billing discounts are applied.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.
If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
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