Temporary Car Insurance in Arizona: What You Need to Know (2024)

Most insurance companies sell car insurance policies in either six- or 12-month terms, but some drivers may want a shorter-term policy. For example, occasional drivers or someone planning a road trip might only need coverage for a few days at a time.

One insurance company, Hugo, offers Arizona drivers on-demand car insurance coverage for as little as three days at a time. The overall average cost of car insurance in Arizona is $139 per month.

Here’s what you need to know about temporary car insurance in Arizona.

Is temporary car insurance available in Arizona?

Most reputable auto insurance companies sell policies that last for six or 12 months.^[1]

Temporary auto insurance options are limited, but Hugo is one car insurance company that offers this option to drivers. Through Hugo, Arizona drivers can pay for temporary insurance in increments as small as three days at a time. Drivers with Hugo can add days of insurance to their account in packages of three, seven, 14, or 30 days.^[2]

You can meet the state’s insurance requirements, pausing your insurance on days you don’t drive and restarting it without an additional fee. Hugo offers a solution for drivers with temporary coverage needs. It’s a relatively affordable option for drivers looking for temporary auto insurance policies.

But if you lease or finance your vehicle, you won’t be able to use Hugo’s pause and restart option. Your leasing company or lender will likely require you to maintain full coverage on your vehicle at all times.

The good news is that drivers looking for temporary car insurance in Arizona have a few other options to consider. Here’s a closer look at the different strategies you can use to get the coverage you need for a short period of time.

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Getting non-owner car insurance in Arizona

If you’re planning to borrow a car you don’t own, you might want to consider buying non-owner car insurance. This policy type includes liability coverage, which can shield you from financial risk following an at-fault accident. If you cause an accident, liability insurance can help you pay for the other party’s resulting medical bills or vehicle repairs.

Non-owner coverage is useful in many situations. But if you’re borrowing a car from a family member with their permission, you have permissive coverage and don’t need non-owner coverage. In that case, the vehicle owner’s car insurance policy should cover you.

You might want to purchase non-owner coverage if you regularly borrow a friend’s car or often drive rental vehicles. Most insurance companies offer this type of coverage in six- or 12-month terms.

Canceling your policy early in Arizona

Most car insurance policies last for at least six months. This means you’ll be able to budget ahead for auto insurance costs. If you don’t need the full six-month term, you have the option to cancel your policy early to avoid paying for the months you don’t need.

In general, the process of canceling your standard auto insurance policy with a reputable company is straightforward. You’ll have to make the cancellation request on your insurance company’s website or by calling your insurance agent or another company representative.

Some insurance companies charge a cancellation fee. The company should inform you of this before you finalize the cancellation.

Getting car insurance for a rental car in Arizona

If you’re renting a vehicle, the rental car company likely offers the option to add insurance coverage while using the vehicle. In general, drivers with an existing auto insurance policy won’t need to buy additional coverage from the rental company. Drivers using certain credit cards to pay for their rental vehicle might also have coverage built-in.

Some credit cards offer rental car coverage as a benefit to card users.^[4] If you want to rely on your credit card’s rental car insurance coverage option, make sure to read the fine print. Take time to understand what the provided coverage offers and doesn’t offer. If you have questions about the coverage, reach out to your credit card company for an explanation in writing.

Best car insurance companies for short-term car insurance in Arizona

A six-month car insurance policy might make sense for your auto coverage needs.

Car insurance rates can vary widely across insurers because companies determine insurance rates based on factors like your driving history, ZIP code, and more. If you decide to purchase a six-month policy, take the time to compare multiple car insurance quotes to lock in the best rate for your unique situation.

The table below shows the average monthly quotes for six-month liability auto insurance policies from insurance companies in Arizona.

Car insurance for students in Arizona

Students who move at least 100 miles from home to attend college might qualify for a discount if they leave their vehicle at home. Many insurance companies offer significantly lower rates to students who don’t bring their vehicles to campus.^[5]

If you’re a university student who decides to bring your vehicle to campus in Arizona, you’ll need to make sure that your auto insurance policy meets the state’s minimum requirements. Arizona drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident in property damage liability.

If your current auto insurance policy meets those requirements, you may not need to change the policy, but you should let your insurance company know about your new address. Moving to a new state is a major adjustment to your situation, which means your auto insurance company may change your rate to compensate for the new level of risk.

If your current car insurance policy doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for Arizona drivers, then you’ll need to make a change. Consider shopping around for quotes from multiple companies to find the lowest rates for your situation.

Also, students who drive infrequently might choose to pursue an alternative coverage option through usage-based car insurance. Drivers pay a per-mile rate on top of a relatively low base rate with this type of coverage, which can keep your insurance costs low if you don’t drive much.

Temporary car insurance in Arizona FAQs