When you’re looking for car insurance, sometimes you need a policy that you can purchase and start using right away. Thankfully, many companies now offer instant auto insurance, so you’ll have plenty of choices. Even better, most top insurance companies offer free quotes on their sites, so you can compare offers before you make a decision. Keep reading to learn more about how to find instant car insurance, along with some companies that offer it.
What Is Instant Auto Insurance?
Sometimes called same-day insurance, instant car insurance is a policy you can purchase that will provide immediate coverage and proof of insurance. This is especially helpful for anyone who’s buying a vehicle and needs insurance to cover it that day. It can also be helpful if you want to look for a new policy and don’t want to wait after canceling an old one.
Regardless of your reason, be sure you have the appropriate insurance in place before you get on the road. Almost every state requires car insurance, so if you don’t have coverage in those states, you could face some steep fines and penalties.
How To Find Instant Auto Insurance
If you’re looking at nationwide providers, chances are that most, if not all, have some kind of website that you can use to research and purchase a car insurance policy.
1. Consider What You Need
Every driver has a different set of insurance requirements, including things like their budget, location, driving experience, credit score, and car. Some companies offer comparatively low rates to new drivers and others offer unique types of insurance, such as classic car or ride-share insurance. Check on your state’s minimum insurance requirements and consider how much of a deductible you want with your policy while you’re deciding what type of policy you prefer.
2. Get a Quote
Once you know what type of insurance you need, look for companies that match your requirements and request quotes from them. Many insurance company websites offer free instant quotes through a simple form you’ll fill in. To complete the form, you’ll need:
- Your driver’s license number
- Personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and address
- Information about all drivers who will be included in the policy, including their recent driving history, previous claims, any citations, and whether they’ve completed any driving courses
- Information about each vehicle that will be covered, including mileage, when you bought it, the vehicle identification number, and who is listed as the registered owner
- Your auto insurance history, including any gaps in your insurance
3. Compare Costs
Once you’ve received a quote from one company, consider looking at quotes from other companies to be sure you’re getting the best deal for your insurance needs. Requesting a quote from multiple insurance companies won’t affect your credit, so it never hurts to find out how much each company will charge. Once you have information from every company you’re considering, you can make an informed decision.
4. Check for Discounts
Once you decide on a company, check their website to see if you qualify for any discounts. You may be able to lower the cost of your premiums or find some discounts you could use in the future. For example, if the company offers a discount to drivers who complete a defensive driving course, you may want to attend one and inform your insurance once you’ve finished it to save money in the future.
5. Select Your Coverage
Look for a policy that meets your needs, satisfies your state’s requirements, and offers a deductible that fits your financial situation. You can also select additional coverage, including collision or comprehensive insurance. Once you’re happy with the policy you’ve chosen, you can make a payment for your first month’s premium and begin your coverage period with your new insurance policy.
Companies That Offer Instant Auto Insurance
Some national companies that offer instant auto insurance include:
Nationwide
Nationwide is considered one of the more popular car insurance companies in the U.S. They’re known for their comparatively low monthly premiums, which average out at $123 per month. They also have plenty of choices for coverage and a range of benefits, including the chance to bundle multiple types of insurance. However, they have a somewhat low rating in customer satisfaction, according to a 2021 customer satisfaction study by J.D. Power.
Geico
Widely considered one of the most inexpensive insurance options, Geico also offers instant auto insurance. The average monthly premium is $129 per month, and Geico offers their insurance everywhere in the country. They also offer plenty of ways to save even more, including accident forgiveness and insurance policy bundling. Geico received high praise from its customers during a survey by The Zebra.
You can also purchase ride-share insurance through Geico, along with mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). MBI is a rare type of coverage that helps to cover many types of mechanical failures in your car that are often not covered under a standard car insurance policy.
Allstate
Allstate’s average monthly premium is around $201. This company offers plenty of options for insurance coverage, and it’s known for leading the insurance industry’s attempts to combat climate change. While the company has plenty of satisfied customers, Allstate has a higher monthly cost than others, particularly for young drivers or drivers who have recently committed traffic violations.
They offer sound system reimbursement, roadside assistance, ride-share coverage, and accident forgiveness. Allstate also offers a safe driver check, which means that drivers will receive a check every six months that they aren’t involved in an accident, and a vanishing deductible that reduces your policy’s deductible by $100 for every year without an accident.
USAA
USAA receives some of the top scores in customer satisfaction and offers low monthly premiums, averaging $114 per month. They also offer a range of policies and have coverage everywhere in the country. You’ll also be able to purchase ride-share coverage in many states. USAA offers roadside assistance and accident forgiveness. In order to qualify for auto insurance through USAA, however, you must be a current or former military member or be related to one.
As you can see, you’ll have plenty of options for instant auto insurance, and finding a quote is easy when it comes to large insurance companies. You can also explore smaller options in your area to see if they offer instant insurance options. Once you research and decide, you can make a payment and begin your coverage right away.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
