A Guide to Temporary Car Insurance in Washington State

If you need short-term auto insurance coverage in Washington, temporary car insurance can be a convenient and affordable solution. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting temporary coverage in Washington, including policy options, costs, eligibility, and tips for finding the best rates.

What is Temporary Car Insurance?

Temporary car insurance provides short-term liability coverage for drivers who need insurance for just a specific timeframe rather than a full year. Common situations where temporary auto insurance is useful include:

• Borrowing or renting a car for a short period
• Buying a new car but waiting for delivery
• Adding a vehicle to your policy mid-term
• Lapsing auto insurance coverage due to financial hardship
• Needing a vehicle for a season like summer break

With temporary insurance, you purchase a standard six month policy but cancel mid-term when the coverage is no longer needed. This allows you to remain insured and legally drive during your required timeframe without paying for a full year of unnecessary coverage.

Temporary Car Insurance Options in Washington

To get temporary car insurance in Washington, you have a few options:

Standard auto insurance policy – Purchase a standard 6-month private passenger auto policy from an insurer like State Farm, GEICO, or Allstate. Cancel mid-term when ready. This provides the broadest coverage but may have early cancellation fees.

Usage-based insurance – Insurers like Metromile and MileAuto offer policies with rates based on actual mileage driven. These can provide affordable short-term coverage.

Non-owner car insurance – Covers you when driving vehicles you don’t own. Can be a cost-effective alternative if you temporarily need to drive borrowed or rental cars. Provides liability protection only.

Pay-per-mile insurance – Base rates on monthly mileage rather than a fixed 6-month premium. Capped mileage plans are one cost-effective option for limited temporary driving needs.

Average Cost of Temporary Car Insurance in Washington

The cost of temporary car insurance in Washington depends on your driving history, age, vehicle, selected coverage limits, and length of the policy term.

Here are some examples of average rates for 30-day temporary coverage in Washington with minimum liability limits:

• Teen driver: $76/month
• Driver aged 30: $54/month
• Driver aged 60: $39/month

For a 6-month policy, average rates are higher but you get lower per-day costs overall:

• Teen driver: $239/month
• Driver aged 30: $164/month
• Driver aged 60: $107/month

Getting quotes from multiple insurers is the best way to find the lowest rate on temporary coverage for your situation. Be sure to compare usage-based and pay-per-mile plans in addition to standard policies.

Eligibility for Temporary Car Insurance

To qualify for temporary car insurance in Washington, you must meet the standard eligibility requirements of insurers:

• Have a valid Washington driver’s license
• Have no current license suspensions or revocations
• Have no more than 3 at-fault accidents in the past 3 years
• Have no more than 2 moving violations in the past 3 years
• Provide vehicle information for all cars to be covered
• Be able to provide proof of prior auto insurance if you’ve had prior coverage

Keep in mind that insurers view short-term policies as higher risk. Having poor credit or serious violations on your record may make you ineligible with some insurers. Comparing quotes across multiple companies can help find coverage.

Getting the Best Rates on Temporary Car Insurance

Follow these tips to get the cheapest temporary car insurance in Washington:

• Compare quotes – Get at least 3-5 quotes to find the lowest rate. Quote both standard and usage-based policies.

• Check with your insurer – Existing policyholders may get discounts for adding a car mid-term.

• Ask about discounts – Inquire about any discounts for defensive driving courses, good student, low mileage, and more.

• Raise deductibles – Opting for higher collision and comprehensive deductibles reduces premiums.

• Limit coverage – Skip extra coverage like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance to lower costs.

• Maintain a clean driving record – Having no recent at-fault accidents or violations provides the best rates.

• Check insurer ratings – Make sure companies are financially strong and reputable.

Canceling a Washington Temporary Car Insurance Policy

When your temporary coverage period ends, you need to officially cancel your Washington insurance policy to avoid being charged for unused time. Here is how temporary policy cancellation works:

• Review your policy documents to see the cancellation process required by your insurer. This varies.
• Notify your insurer several days before your requested cancellation date.
• Continue coverage until the cancellation date requested to avoid a lapse.
• Return the proof of insurance card and any other requested documentation.
• Pay any outstanding premiums due for the covered time period.
• A refund check will be sent for any overpayment above the used coverage days.
• Get proof of cancellation from your insurer once processed.

Failing to properly cancel a policy can lead to unnecessary premium charges or penalties for a coverage lapse. Avoid this hassle by carefully following your insurer’s cancellation procedure.

Alternatives to Temporary Car Insurance

If you find temporary car insurance rates to be too expensive for your budget and needs, alternatives like usage-based insurance, non-owner car insurance, or pay-per-mile policies may provide more affordable short-term options.

You can also see if any family or friends have an existing policy with additional driver coverage that they can add you to for the temporary period needed. Just be sure to get added in writing.

Using public transportation like buses or rideshares when possible can also minimize insurance costs if you just need coverage for occasional driving errands during a short timeframe.

The key is to match your specific insurance needs to the right type of policy so you get protected for the shortest duration required, without overpaying.

Is Temporary Car Insurance a Good Choice?

Temporary car insurance can be a smart choice when you need coverage for just weeks or months rather than a full policy term. It provides affordable insurance that meets Washington state minimum requirements during temporary driving periods.

However, short-term policies should be used selectively rather than as your sole insurance. Frequent gaps create instability in your insurance record that can increase your long-term rates. Temporary insurance works best as a temporary bridge to provide coverage in special situations where you need to drive briefly without needing a full year policy.