7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
Table of contents
Temporary car insurance, or short-term car insurance, isn’t a regular option from major car insurance companies. In Florida, most insurers offer car insurance policies with a minimum term of six months. But Sunshine State drivers seeking a more temporary coverage option do have other options.
Learn how temporary car insurance works in Florida and what alternatives might be available to you.
Hugo offers Florida drivers car insurance with terms as short as three days.
Alternative car insurance options include non-owner car insurance, rental car insurance coverage, and pay-per-mile coverage.
Florida drivers also have the option of purchasing a standard car insurance policy and canceling it early, sometimes with a cancellation fee attached.
Best temporary car insurance in Florida
If you need car insurance for only a short time, the right short-term policy option for you will depend on your unique situation. Here, you can see a collection of top insurers in Florida.
Hugo: Best for on-demand coverage
User Reviews | 4.1 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.0 /10 |
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. | $340/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent prices, flexible payment options, and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of full coverage and difficulty reaching support.
Drivers appreciate the excellent prices, flexible payment options, and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of full coverage and difficulty reaching support.
Javier
November 12, 2024
Hugo Insurance is the Best
Gabrielle
November 2, 2024
Good
Dawn
October 21, 2024
Paying Too Much
Hugo offers Florida drivers an opportunity to purchase auto insurance in small doses. Drivers can purchase as little as three days of car insurance coverage at a time. The straightforward coverage allows you to get proof of insurance in as little as six minutes and is a worthwhile option for infrequent drivers on a budget.
Provides instant coverage
Highly rated on Trustpilot
No down payment required
Coverage options are limited
May have trouble getting in touch with customer service
Available in only 13 states
GEICO: Best for non-owner coverage
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
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. | $69/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. | $86/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
George
November 19, 2024
Service
James
November 19, 2024
Unsatisfactory Experience with Geico
Edward
November 18, 2024
Experience with Geico
For drivers who don’t own a vehicle, GEICO offers non-owner car insurance coverage options. Non-owner policies are generally more affordable than traditional car insurance. If you want ongoing coverage for when you borrow or rent a vehicle, this might be the right fit.
Many discount opportunities
Highly rated mobile app
National insurer with demonstrated financial strength
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Not always the cheapest option
Limited local agents in some areas
Mile Auto: Best for infrequent drivers
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.5 /10 |
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. | $114/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. | $147/mo |
Cookie
October 15, 2024
Excellent
Tasha
October 10, 2024
Not pleased
Thomas
October 8, 2024
Mixed Review
Mile Auto offers a pay-per-mile insurance option, which could be a great fit for infrequent drivers. Instead of requiring drivers to install a tracking device, the company tracks your mileage through odometer photos you submit.
No need to install a tracking device
Pay for the miles you drive
Good fit for seniors and people who don’t drive often
Must manually submit a photo of your odometer each month
Average customer review on Trustpilot
Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau
Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
In addition to rates, we considered the reported customer satisfaction metrics, IQ Score, and financial strength ratings to select the companies above.
Cheapest short-term car insurance in Florida
Sunshine State drivers seeking a short-term car insurance policy have many options. For the shortest terms available, Hugo might offer the most affordable rates. But the exact cost of your car insurance coverage varies based on the details of your unique situation, including your age, vehicle type, driving record, duration of coverage, and more.
The table below highlights the cheapest short-term car insurance options in Florida.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $68 |
GEICO | $69 |
Mercury | $154 |
Direct Auto | $161 |
National General | $278 |
Hugo | $340 |
Options for temporary car insurance
Florida law requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance.[1] Although you need coverage while on the road, your situation might not require you to carry a standard auto policy for at least six months.
Drivers seeking temporary car insurance have several options. But the right temporary policy varies based on your situation. Below is a look at some of the most common temporary car insurance options.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for infrequent drivers
Pay-as-you-go insurance allows you to purchase car insurance for a few days or weeks at a time. If you don’t drive regularly, the option to pay for coverage when you need it is worthwhile and reduces expenses.
Pay-as-you-go auto insurance allows you to get coverage that meets the state’s legal requirements before hitting the road and also helps you fit car insurance into your budget. Since you can get coverage in relatively short bursts, you don’t have to lock yourself into a months-long car insurance policy. For infrequent drivers on a tight budget, this enhanced flexibility and control is ideal.
Hugo is one popular pay-as-you-go temporary car insurance option. If you go long periods without getting behind the wheel, pay-as-you-go coverage might work best for your short-term insurance coverage needs.
Non-owner car insurance: Best for drivers without a vehicle of their own
If you sometimes borrow a vehicle from a friend or rent a vehicle regularly, a non-owner policy provides the liability coverage you need. If you cause damage or injuries to others in an accident, this type of policy might kick in to protect you.
Non-owner car insurance is a type of secondary policy, which means that the vehicle owner’s primary insurance policy will likely be tapped first to cover any liability. But if the vehicle owner’s policy doesn’t include enough coverage to pay for the incident, your non-owner insurance policy can protect you from paying out of pocket for the rest of the costs.
Non-owner car insurance rates are generally lower than the price for a standard liability or full-coverage policy. State Farm, American Family, and USAA are a few companies that offer non-owner car insurance policies.
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for short-distance drivers
If you drive short distances infrequently, a pay-per-mile car insurance policy offers a straightforward way to get the coverage you need while only paying for the miles you drive. But if you’re a frequent driver, you likely won’t tap into savings through this type of policy.
Some drivers might not want a pay-per-mile car insurance policy due to privacy concerns. Many pay-per-mile insurers require you to install a mileage-tracking device, which might be a red flag for some drivers.[2]
Metromile, Mile Auto, Allstate, and Nationwide are a few companies that offer pay-per-mile insurance coverage.
Rental car insurance: Best for drivers renting a vehicle
Most rental companies allow you to purchase rental car insurance before driving off the lot. If you occasionally rent a vehicle to get around, rental car insurance can help you get the coverage you need on a temporary basis.[3]
The best part about rental car insurance is that you’ll only have to pay for it while you use the rental car. When you return the vehicle, you won’t face ongoing car insurance costs. But the daily cost of a rental car insurance policy might be higher than what you’d find through traditional car insurance.
If you need coverage for only a brief period while you use a rental, this might be the easier solution.
Pros and cons of temporary car insurance
Like all financial products, temporary car insurance has advantages and disadvantages. It’s a good idea to weigh your options when finding the best policy for your situation.
Flexibility: You maintain increased control over your changing insurance needs without locking yourself into a months-long policy.
Lower overall costs: When you only pay for a few days or a week, you likely won’t pay as much as you would for a six-month policy.
Meet insurance requirements: When you get behind the wheel, temporary insurance provides the coverage you need legally for a short period of time.
Potentially higher daily rates: While you might save by skipping a six-month policy, you could end up paying more per day for coverage.
Scams to sort through: Unfortunately, some of the temporary insurance coverage offerings aren’t legitimate. Do your research and read customer reviews to make sure a company is legitimate before you purchase a policy.
Paperwork hassles: Starting and stopping insurance coverage frequently could come with extra paperwork for your to-do list.
Temporary car insurance in Florida FAQs
If you still have questions about temporary car insurance in Florida, find the answers you need below.
Can you get temporary insurance in Florida?
In the state of Florida, the standard auto insurance policy is a six-month policy. Major auto insurance companies usually only offer long-term policies. Some smaller insurers offer temporary car insurance policies and pay-as-you-go coverage for the miles you drive. Additionally, rental car companies usually offer insurance options as a temporary solution for rental vehicles.
Is temporary car insurance legit?
Yes, some temporary car insurance options are legitimate. While some smaller companies are legit, not all temporary auto insurance offerings come from a reputable company. Take a closer look at a particular company before purchasing coverage to avoid falling for a scam. It’s also a good idea to consult reviews of the company before signing on the dotted line.
What is the shortest term for car insurance?
Six months is generally the shortest term for a standard policy. But temporary car insurance options may allow you to purchase short-term coverage for days or weeks.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Florida?
State Farm and GEICO have the cheapest car insurance in Florida, with monthly liability rates of $68 and $69.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Florida
Sources
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. "Florida Insurance Requirements."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Pay-as-you drive auto insurance (telematics)."
- Insurance Information Instituteq. "Rental car insurance."
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in