Cheap Auto Insurance for Temporary Residents in 2025 (Top 8 Low-Cost Companies)

Geico, State Farm, and Progressive are our top picks for cheap auto insurance for temporary residents.

Car insurance policies normally allow for coverage when traveling through different states, but you may have to get a temporary policy if you are a temporary resident, such as a student. If you need temporary car insurance, shop at the cheapest auto insurance companies.

Our Top 8 Company Picks: Cheap Auto Insurance for Temporary Residents

Read on to learn more about cheap car insurance for temporary residents. Then, enter your ZIP code above to begin comparing temporary resident auto insurance rates.

#1 – Geico: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Cheapest Rates: Geico offers the cheapest temporary car insurance rates in the industry.
• Availability: No matter what state you temporarily move to, there will be Geico insurance available.
• Coverage Options: You can choose as much or as little coverage as you want. Find out more in our Geico auto insurance review.

Cons

• Good Driver Discount: Not offered in every state.
• Local Agents: Not available in most locations.

#2 – State Farm: Best for Comprehensive Coverage

Pros

• Comprehensive Coverage: Provides excellent coverage options for short term auto insurance needs.
• Agent Availability: State Farm agents are scattered across the U.S. Learn about customer service in our State Farm auto insurance review.
• Roadside Assistance: Add this coverage for help with breakdowns and tows.

Cons

• Poor Credit Rate Increases: In states where credit score can be used as a rate factor, State Farm may charge more.
• Discount Variations: Discounts may be less in some states.

#3 – Progressive: Best for Technology Users

Pros

• Technology Users: Customers who like to manage things from their phones will like Progressive’s great digital tools for comparing cheap short-term car insurance quotes online.
• Name Your Price Tool: Useful for temporary residents with constraints on their budget.
• Coverage Options: Progressive has less common coverages, which you can read in our Progressive auto insurance review.

Cons

• Snapshot Program: Rates could actually increase if drivers score badly.
• Young Driver Rates: Progressive isn’t as economical an option for teens buying their own policy.

#4 – Nationwide: Best for Plentiful Discounts

Pros

• Plentiful Discounts: Temporary residents should be able to find at least one discount to lower rates. Learn more in our review of Nationwide auto insurance.
• Pay-Per-Mile Insurance: Great for temporary residents who aren’t planning on driving much.
• Special Programs: Progressive have special programs especially short-term car insurance for students at competitive rates.

Cons

• Add-On Coverages: Nationwide doesn’t sell gap insurance.
• Availability: Some states don’t sell Nationwide insurance, so temporary residents should double-check with Nationwide.

#5 – Hugo: Best for Short-Term Needs

Pros

• Short-Term Needs: Hugo is a great option for temporary residents looking for short-term coverage.
• Flexible Payments: Specialized in low-cost short-term car insurance with flexible payment options. Learn more in our Hugo auto insurance review.
• Online Convenience: You can control your policy and payments online.

Cons

• Coverage Options: Hugo only offers very basic plans.
• No Local Agents: Customer service is all conducted virtually.

#6 – Allstate: Best for Bundling Policies

Pros

• Bundling Policies: For those wondering “Where can i get cheap temporary car insurance with bundled discounts?” Allstate specializes in bundling policies.
• Pay-Per-Mile Insurance: Useful for temporary residents who don’t plan on driving often.
• Claim Satisfaction Guarantee: Allstate offers a claim satisfaction guarantee and will work to make it right if you aren’t satisfied.

Cons

• High-Risk Rates: Allstate is an expensive option for some. Read about its rates in our Allstate auto insurance review.
• Customer Complaints: Allstate has more complaints than expected for a company.

#7 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Customizable Policies

Pros

• Customizable Policies: Change coverages, deductibles, and other details to customize your policy. Learn more in our review of Liberty Mutual auto insurance.
• Military Discount: A service member discount is just one of the many discounts offered.
• 24/7 Customer Service: Good option for cheap emergency car insurance with 24/7 customer service.

Cons

• High-Risk Rates: Liberty Mutual is a company that is best for good drivers with clean records.
• Customer Reviews: Customers have left negative reviews after filing claims.

#8 – Dairyland: Best for High-Risk Drivers

Pros

• High-Risk Drivers: Dairyland provides temporary car insurance for young drivers as they are tagged as high-risk drivers. Learn more in our Dairyland auto insurance review.
• Online Quotes: See how much insurance at your new temporary residence will cost with a quick online quote.
• Anti-Theft Discount: Dairyland has a discount for cars with anti-theft devices installed.

Cons

• Availability: Dairyland insurance isn’t sold in all states.
• Poor Credit Rates: Dairyland charges drivers with poor credit more in some states.

Temporary State Resident Auto Insurance

A person living in one state may consistently be traveling to one, two, or more neighboring states. Unless restrictions have been written into the policy, coverage generally does not become automatically void upon crossing the state line.

The only exception to this would be if the policy maintained a specific clause stating such.

Exclusions of this nature are not the norm. Vacationers do not need to worry about buying a new policy because they are taking part in a road trip sojourn. Auto policies, to an extent, present tremendous leeway to those who venture into a new state.

This leeway does not mean, however, there is never a need to modify a particular policy. In fact, under certain conditions, changing an insurance policy might be necessary for temporary state residents.

And then there are other complexities that may come into play. New Hampshire does not require anyone to carry auto insurance coverage. What happens when someone from New Hampshire chooses to spend several months in a state with insurance coverage? Perhaps it would be most prudent to look into insurance coverage, including laws and requirements.

Learn more: Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements by State

However, millions of people are temporary residents of states outside of their primary residence.

The following facts demonstrate the nature of state-to-state travel:

• Anyone can live anywhere they wish for as long as they wish.
• People can travel from one state to the other barring any legal impediments.
• People can own properties in different states and reside in those states at different times.

Being allowed to move from one place to another and back again may not be barred, but being allowed to do so does not mean there are no additional requirements one has to follow. For example, someone who leaves the state of New York to live and work in Florida for three months is, in essence, taking up temporary residence in the Sunshine State.

This change in residence could have a dramatic effect on an insurance policy. To avoid any troubles, look towards clarifying any and all insurance concerns.

Locating to a New State

What are those requirements? The answer depends on the state the vehicle is temporarily residing. Since there are 50 states, there are 50 different legal statutes and requirements. In California, out-of-state residents are allowed to permanently register their vehicle in the Golden State. In other states, non-resident registration is not allowed. So yes, there can be major differences in different states.

The differences could impact the type of policy sought. The state of Indiana spells out how someone out of the state for a full year is able to remain a legitimate resident. Falling outside of these exceptions would have an effect on car registration and insurance rules.

Another point to be aware of here is different states maintain different minimum coverage requirements. Not meeting the local state’s minimum requirements can also lead to further hassles and troubles.

Again, this trouble is the result of not taking the necessary steps to properly straighten things out before an incident occurs.

The Dangers and Risks of Improper Insurance

Under certain circumstances, state law and insurance policy terms may mandate a change in someone’s status. Whether the insured chooses to accept this or, for that matter, even knows about specific laws and regulations in the first place is irrelevant.

Either the insured is adhering to the terms and conditions of a current policy or not. Either he or she has the right coverage or not.

And having the right policy is a must. This need for a policy is why it is necessary to examine different quotes from a number of different providers to select the right one.

A person with the wrong policy is not going to be covered if he or she gets into an accident. Insurance policies come with very detailed terms. Anything that violates the policy voids a claim.

If a driver is at fault for a major accident and the $300,000 liability coverage provision is no longer in effect, the driver is going to be in a position to be sued. Consider this another reason why it is wise to comparison shop, as the last thing you want is to deal with uninsured drivers.

In essence, the driver is de facto uninsured in such a situation. Probably one of the worst scenarios a driver can find him or herself would be out of status with an insurance policy in a horrible situation after having assumed the policy is fine. Making an assumption without clarifying any facts could prove to be a disastrous matter.

Cost of Temporary State Resident Auto Insurance

Below, you can see the average rates at the companies with the cheapest car insurance for temporary residents.

Auto Insurance for Temporary Residents: Monthly Rates by Coverage Level & Provider

The cheapest companies also offer great auto insurance discounts for temporary insurance.

Good driver discounts are among the best ways to save on short-term auto insurance (read more: How to Get a Good Driver Auto Insurance Discount).

Basic Temporary Auto Insurance Policy

Some may wonder if acquiring a temporary insurance policy is worth acquiring. A temporary insurance policy might be an option, but acquiring one of these policies may require canceling the original policy on the vehicle and replacing it. A temporary insurance policy is one that allows for coverage for one day to about 30 days.

Regardless, looking at a number of different temporary insurance policy quotes might be a wise strategy. If you do need short-term resident car insurance, make sure to compare quotes from cheap temporary auto insurance companies like Geico.

Purchasing, canceling, and repurchasing a temporary policy followed by purchasing another permanent policy might be an odd and costly approach to take. It also could be totally unnecessary considering the other options an insurance provider might present, sop make sure to consult with a temporary auto insurance company.

Consulting Temporary Auto Insurance Companies

Upon realizing there are different rules and requirements in the various states, a driver could be confused as to how to go about figuring out how to be in compliance.

Honestly, the driver really does not need to be an expert on all the various different rules, laws, and regulations. The insurance company’s customer service division is where all questions end up being answered.

The driver’s home state is Maine, and the temporary state is Alabama; someone at the insurance company can quickly ascertain the requirements for a policy in Alabama. Insurance companies underwrite the policies.

Learn more: Compare Car Insurance Rates by State

They know the laws and requirements and present them in a quote or an upgrade. If the appropriate coverage requires new underwriting, then providing the exact address of the place the car will be located becomes necessary.

The car probably will need to be registered in the new state. Taking the car to the DMV and registering it should be immediately followed by performing comparison shopping to procure the necessary insurance policy.

Even when moving around in the same state, it is necessary to inform the insurance company of the new address.

Finding Affordable Auto Insurance for Temporary Residents

Geico, State Farm, and Progressive provides cheap auto insurance for temporary residents due to their competitive rates, nationwide availability, and specialized services. When traveling to another state, always call the insurance company to clarify the rules and requirements regarding the temporary movement situation.

When you bundle, you don’t have to pick 😉 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/LL0aBcY0Dm

— GEICO (@GEICO) April 27, 2023

All pertinent facts should be provided, starting with telling the customer care representative what state the move is in and how much time will be spent in that particular state (learn more: How to Change Auto Insurance When Moving Out of State).

For the best deal on temporary resident auto insurance, make sure to compare quotes. Comparison shop today with our free tool to find the best temporary resident auto insurance quotes for your unique insurance needs.