What happens if I pay half of my auto insurance?

You can pay half of your annual premium upfront. You can’t pay half of your monthly premium, but there may be other ways to save money on car insurance if you're struggling to make payments.

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Leslie Kasperowicz

Farmers CSR for 4 Years

Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insuranc...

Tracey L. Wells

Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner

Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...

Reviewed by
Tracey L. Wells

Updated December 2024

Can I make a partial payment on my car insurance? And what happens if I pay half of my auto insurance? As the insured, you’re required to make payments on time and in full.

what happens if I pay half of my auto insurance

However, you can make a partial payment on car insurance, so it’s important to understand how auto insurance payments work.

Paying insurance ensures that you aren’t responsible for medical bills or repairs after a covered event. Many providers offer discounts for paying annual premiums up-front, but you can choose between a monthly and semi-annual premium on car insurance.

Scroll down to learn when you can split car insurance payments and compare free insurance quotes.

Things to remember

  • You can pay half your auto insurance premium and pay the rest after six months
  • You must pay the full amount on your insurance bill to avoid a lapse in coverage
  • Reduce coverage or raise your deductibles to lower your car insurance bill

Is it possible to only pay half of my car insurance premium?

Can you make partial payments on car insurance? When it comes to paying for auto insurance, you can choose how you want to make your payments as long as you stick to the plan. Being responsible about payment is a core component of managing your auto insurance policy

Six-month auto insurance policies are where the concept of partial car insurance came from, and it’s not like the other half is being forgiven — you will still have to pay half now and half later after six months. Failure to pay your auto insurance premiums can put you in serious trouble vis-à-vis your state’s auto insurance laws and your personal finances if you are involved in an accident

You can pay car insurance in two installments, but you can’t pay half of your monthly or six-month premium — no auto insurance provider will agree to that. Failing to make your payment in full can have some costly repercussions.

How to Pay for Auto Insurance by Company

There are a few differences in how auto insurance providers bill their customers. Some are more flexible than others. If your auto insurer isn’t accommodating, you can switch to another provider.

When looking to purchase a new policy, shop around. Compare quotes from as many providers as you can until you find one that meets all your auto insurance needs and is reasonably priced. Ask about billing terms just to be sure that you won’t be facing the same problems you had with your previous insurer.

For example, as a pay-per-mile company, the Root insurance payment processes are different than Amica bill pay, Allstate bill pay, and Direct Auto bill pay. You may also find that Direct Auto insurance payments online differ from standard companies since it’s a high-risk insurer.

Compare car insurance payment plans from the top three companies below.

State Farm Payment Options

Does State Farm take partial payments? Yes. State Farm car insurance payments can be split into semi-annual or monthly plans. And policyholders can use State Farm quick bill pay online to make a payment or set up automatic payments.

Can you pay State Farm over the phone? Yes, with State Farm, partial payments can be paid online or over the phone. You can also go into the office of a local agent with State Farm, pay half your annual premium, and then pay the other half online in the next six months.

Progressive Payment Options

Does Progressive do monthly payments? Yes, like most national insurers, Progressive partial payment plans are divided across monthly policies. Policyholders can make payments online or call the Progressive phone number to make payments with an agent. 

Why is Progressive making me pay in full? Unfortunately, buying car insurance with an installment plan is a courtesy companies offer, not a requirement. Your driving record or insurance history may require Progressive to request your annual premium in full.

Geico Payment Options

Policyholders can go online or use the mobile app to make Gieco split payments. The company allows monthly and six-month policies.

Geico was one of the first auto insurance companies to allow monthly payments on car insurance. Geico payment arrangements continue to remain flexible, and customers can cancel coverage at any time without penalty.

What to Do If You Can’t Afford Auto Insurance

If something happens in your life and you can no longer foot your auto insurance bill, it’s time to explore other options. Maybe you need to pay legal fees, have a large medical bill, or lost your job, but the insurer still expects payment at the end of the month. You may be able to change the date your car insurance is due if that makes it easier to afford.

Since you can’t pay a fraction of your monthly premium, you will have to come up with ways to cut down your premium to a figure you can afford. 

Lowering auto insurance rates can be a strategic move for budget-conscious drivers. By exploring options like insurance companies offering no down payment policies or partial coverage, individuals can potentially save significant amounts while ensuring necessary protection.

Very cheap car insurance with no deposit is another option. Keep reading for more tips on lowering auto insurance rates:

  • Compare auto insurance quotes. Shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple insurers is crucial in finding the most affordable rates.
  • Drive a cheaper vehicle. The higher the cost of replacing a vehicle, the more expensive it will be to insure. Driving a cheaper vehicle can lower your premium.
  • Adjust coverage levels. Reduce your monthly and semi-annual rates by getting partial car insurance coverage on older cars. You can maintain necessary coverage for liability, but choosing higher deductibles will save you money.
  • Qualify for safe driving discounts. Taking advantage of defensive driving classes and usage-based insurance plans can further reduce insurance expenses over time.
  • No down payment for auto insurance. Opting for cheap auto insurance with no down payment can ease the financial burden and help you secure coverage without needing to make a substantial upfront payment.

Can I get car insurance and pay later? Yes, you can buy car insurance and pay later if you seek out insurance companies with no down payment policies. Insurance with no money down provides flexibility by spreading the premium payments over the policy term, making it easier for policyholders to manage their expenses.

Negotiating Your Car Insurance Billing Terms

Insurance companies aren’t fond of people who can’t pay their car insurance bills. Your policy will be canceled leading to a coverage lapse, so negotiate with your company and ask, “What happens if I pay half of my car payment?”

The internet has made car insurance one of the most competitive industries in the world. The competition in the car insurance marketplace has shifted power to the side of the consumer. The customers have a lot of choices when it comes to the terms of billing, premium discounts, and coverage options offered.

As a consumer, you need to ensure that your insurer offers flexible terms when it comes to auto insurance billing. For instance, choose a billing that allows you to pay half of your entire premium if you can’t afford to pay the full amount and you also don’t want to pay in monthly installments. You can always negotiate for favorable billing terms.

Paying your auto insurance premiums: Upfront or installments?

When choosing an auto insurance policy, many drivers put too much focus on the cost and available coverage options. They end up forgetting about other details like billing terms — How are you actually going to make your payments? Can you pay half of car insurance with your provider?

Deciding if you should pay your auto insurance in full is a big part of the decision. Having unfavorable billing terms can result in you missing a payment.

Can I pay car insurance in installments? Paying in installments is much easier, the payment is small, and you can easily afford it.

Many people prefer to pay their auto insurance premiums in installments. You can choose to pay in monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually installments. If you opt for semi-annually installments, you will pay half of the total premium when your policy takes effect and the other half after six months.

Shopping for the Best Coverage

Comparison shopping is the most effective way to lower your auto insurance rates. If you are not happy with your current provider, simply switch.

Compare quotes from many providers until you find one that offers the most flexible, reliable, and affordable coverage. When comparing quotes to get cheaper auto insurance, you are only limited by the number of quotes you are willing to compare.

When looking to purchase car insurance, go online and compare quotes from various providers to increase your chances of landing a better deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you pay half of your car insurance?

Most auto insurance companies allow drivers to split annual premiums in half and pay twice a year. Alternatively, you can pay car insurance in installments with a monthly plan.

Can I pay half of my car insurance with Progressive?

Yes, Progressive permits monthly or semi-annual car insurance policies. However, you might get a discount for paying in full. Learn more in our Progressive auto insurance review.

Can you pay half of your car insurance with State Farm?

Yes, you can pay insurance semi-annually or monthly with State Farm, but the insurer offers discounts for paying annual premiums in full. Compare discounts in our State Farm review.

What happens if I pay half of my car insurance?

If you only pay half of your auto insurance bill, your insurer will contact you to resubmit the rest of your payment. You may be responsible for late fees.

Are there government assistance programs for car insurance payments?

Availability of government assistance programs varies by location. Research local programs or contact government authorities for information on possible assistance.

What should I do if I can’t afford my car insurance premium?

Contact your insurer to discuss options like adjusting coverage, increasing deductibles, or exploring discounts. Shopping around for quotes is also recommended.

Can I switch car insurance providers if I’m having difficulty making payments?

Yes, you can switch providers. Consider potential consequences like cancellation fees or coverage gaps. Compare quotes to find a more affordable policy.

Can I pay car insurance with Klarna?

Klarna is a third-party system some retailers use to split payments without interest. Unfortunately, Klarna is not available as a payment plan for car insurance. Contact your provider if you can’t make your premium payment.

Are there penalties for canceling my car insurance policy mid-term?

There may be cancellation fees or prorated refunds for canceling mid-term. Review your policy or contact your insurer to understand the specific terms.

Can I change my car insurance payment due date?

In many cases, you can request a change in the due date. Contact your insurer to discuss adjusting the date to better suit your financial situation.

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