One-Week Car Insurance – A Complete Guide
Let us help you save up to 30% on Auto Insurance
Need car insurance for just seven days while traveling, borrowing a car, or finalizing a new vehicle purchase?
Here’s the truth: Most U.S. insurers don’t sell standalone weekly car insurance. Policies typically come in six-month or annual terms.
However, you can use several legitimate ways to get covered for exactly a week without breaking any rules or overpaying. You can rely on certain insurance options to stay protected for short periods, which are:
Let us find out how you can get the best one-week car insurance here!
Even though ‘insurance on a car for a week’ isn’t a standard term in the vehicle insurance world, several people look for such options, considering the following scenarios:
You can get one-week car insurance through several indirect but practical options, since most insurers don’t offer true seven-day policies. Short-term needs are usually covered by rental car insurance, non-owner policies, temporary adjustments to an existing policy, or insurance included with car-sharing services. These alternatives provide flexible, reliable coverage for just the days you need.
Perfect for travel or road trips. You pay per day, and coverage starts and ends with your booking. It starts and ends with your booking and generally covers liability, personal accident protection, and collision damage coverage.
If you don’t own a car but need liability coverage, this is often the safest and most affordable route. This option offers liability coverage.
Insurers allow you to temporarily add or remove a vehicle or driver in your insurance plan. It’s fast, flexible, and often cheaper than any short-term alternative.
Several apps include insurance for the exact days you book a car. For additional protection, you can purchase upgraded coverage.
Some high-risk drivers need SR-22 filings, though the policy itself must be six months or more.
Before you choose one-week car insurance, consider the following:
Coverage costs of car insurance for 7 days depend on certain factors:
| Cost Factor | How It Affects One-Week Car Insurance Coverage? |
| Processing Fees | Quick processing so fees can be higher. |
| Cancellation Penalties | Cancel a short-term policy early, and you may have to pay flat fees and prorated charges. |
| Limited Competition | Few insurers offer flexible coverage |
| Geographic Factors | If you’re driving in a city with higher accident or theft rates, short-term coverage could come at a higher cost. |
| Vehicle Type | Luxury and classic cars cost more to insure. |
Here’s a quick reality check:
| Pros | Cons |
| Works well for rentals, borrowing a car, or short-term needs | Car insurance for 7 days is not standard in the U.S. |
| No long-term commitment | Daily rates could be higher |
| Limited Competition | Few insurers offer flexible coverage |
| Flexible options like non-owner insurance are available | Does not cover all coverage types |
| Car-sharing and rental coverage are easy to buy | Limited competition means limited choices |
One-week car insurance in the USA typically costs between $17 and $26, depending on factors like your driving history, vehicle type, age, and location. Since most insurers don’t sell true week-long policies, the cost is usually calculated by breaking down a monthly premium into a weekly rate, with the first month often paid upfront. Overall, short-term coverage tends to be slightly more expensive per day than standard policies due to its convenience and flexibility.
Sometimes. It depends on the insurance company and the circumstances. Speak with your insurance provider to discuss your individual situation.
Not necessarily. In the long run, paying week by week is more expensive than a plan that lasts a year. However, weekly insurance prices are quite competitive. If you only need insurance for a week or two, shopping around can provide a great deal.
Life is complicated. There are many different situations that you may find yourself needing short term car insurance in. Weekly car insurance is a safe and cost-effective option for drivers who only need insurance coverage for a short period of time!
Some insurers offer the flexibility to switch from a weekly policy to a monthly or annual plan if you decide you need longer-term coverage. However, conversion options vary by provider, so it’s best to contact your insurer directly to understand the available options and any potential implications.
While many vehicles qualify for weekly coverage, certain restrictions may apply. For example, insurers might limit coverage for high-performance, modified, or commercial vehicles. Additionally, older vehicles or those with specific modifications may be subject to different terms. Always check with your provider to confirm whether your vehicle is eligible.
The claims process for weekly car insurance is generally similar to that of standard policies. If an incident occurs during your coverage period, you’ll report it to your insurer as usual. However, because the policy is short-term, it’s crucial to review your policy for any specific claim limitations or time-sensitive reporting requirements that might apply.
If your trip is only a few days to a week long, weekly car insurance is usually the smarter choice. It offers the right amount of coverage without committing you to a full monthly policy. This way, you only pay for the time you actually need coverage, making it ideal for temporary use.
Yes, some insurers now offer pay-by-the-day (also known as usage-based) car insurance, where you pay only for days you drive, tracked via a telematics app or device. Unlike weekly policies, which charge a flat daily rate for each day of a 7-day block regardless of use, pay-by-the-day offers true flexibility. And unlike one-day insurance, which covers exactly 24 hours when it is activated and then ends, a pay-by-day plan remains continuously active as you are billed, however, only on those days when the vehicle is utilized. Occasional drivers desiring fairer costs linked to usage will find it perfect. However, you’ll need technology like telematics and must confirm activation thresholds or minimum days required from your insurer.
Lauren Lewthwaite Lauren Lewthwaite has been freelance writing for almost five years writing content that ranges from health to insurance and everything in between. Lauren is also a trained translator in French and English and is a dog-mom to an adorable Australian Shepherd.
