Temporary car insurance is bought for those time when you are driving a car you don’t own. Whether you are renting or borrowing a vehicle form a rental agency or a friend, you shouldn’t assume their car insurance will cover you in every situation. Some things like hit and run accidents or flooding of the vehicle may not already be covered under their car insurance policy. This article explains the difference between temporary and regular car insurance and when and where to purchase temporary car insurance.
Temporary vs. Regular Car Insurance
The coverages available on a temporary car insurance policy are virtually the same as those found in a regular annual policy. The main difference is that temporary car insurance is for times when you will be driving a car you don’t own. The second difference is how you are billed for the policy. Temporary car insurance is usually billed as a flat rate up front, but sometimes can be paid monthly depending on the duration you’ll need it. The other main difference is that you have the option of buying temporary car insurance at a rental car counter, which would not be possible for regular annual car policies.
When To Buy It
Temporary car insurance is needed for times when you’ll be driving a non owned vehicle for either a short or extended period of time, but not all year long. This includes renting a car for a long road trip, borrowing a friend’s car while yours is having lengthy body work performed, or during a job transfer when you move to a new city a month or two before your car and other belongings do. It’s also useful for those who live near good public transportation and only need to rent a car for a week or so at a time.
Where To Purchase
As mentioned earlier, you can buy temporary car insurance at a rental car agency before you rent. But the smart thing to do is sit down with your local independent insurance agent ahead of time and let them guide you through setting up the most appropriate coverages for your situation.
Conclusion
The next time you plan to drive a car that’s not yours for any length of time, consider purchasing temporary car insurance. Now that you know what it is and which situations call for it, it’s never too early to contact an insurance agent to plan ahead for the next time you’ll need it. Southern States insurance is also available to answer your questions and invites you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.
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