Your Car Insurance Policy

What are the most common types of car insurance policies?

Why you can trust The Zebra

The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

By Ava Lynch

Updated September 4, 2024

Edited By Renata Balasco

What is an auto insurance policy?

Your car insurance policy determines your coverage and your premium. In short, it is a way to organize car insurance coverage options to meet your needs. In this article, we’ll outline some popular car insurance policy types as well as some popular policies that may not exist exactly as advertised.

Popular car insurance policy types

Below are some popular and standard car insurance policy classifications. You can purchase these policies from national and local insurance providers.

6-Month Car Insurance	Car Insurance for Renters
12-Month Car Insurance	Car Insurance for Condo Owners
6-vs-12-Month Car Insurance	Car Insurance for Homeowners
Car Insurance for Multiple Drivers	Car Insurance for Shared Vehicles
Car Insurance for Multiple Vehicles	Car Insurance with Kids
Named Driver Policy	Car Insurance with a Nanny

State-specific and niche policies

Below are policies that may be subject to state requirements and are often more niche. These options aren’t always available in every area.

Car Insurance with Telematics	Car Insurance for Pleasure Use Drivers
Pay-per-Mile Car Insurance	Pleasure vs. Commuting Car Insurance
Car Insurance for Commuters

RECENT QUESTIONS

Other people are also asking...

If I cancel a policy less than 24 hours after starting it, will I get a refund?

The state of Florida requires that insurance companies refund at least 90% of the unearned premium paid by a customer if they receive a request to cancel. There are instances where a company may include the policy's fees within the first month so your refund can vary depending on which company…

Jul 3, 2017 Fort Lauderdale, FL

Can an insurance company force me to be added to a policy?

Thanks for reaching out to The Zebra. It is normal for insurance companies to require anyone in the household (of driving age) to be listed on a policy, "just in case." Even if you don't ever plan on driving their cars, insurers know that things come up and there is always a small ch…

Feb 6, 2023 Denver, CO

I want to get my own car insurance, but my mom won't let me.

Because your mother has an umbrella policy through AAA, she is likely required to have you listed as a driver on her full coverage policy. This is a common requirement with car insurance carriers who offer umbrella insurance. The only thing you could do is have your mom check with AAA to see if the…

Jul 21, 2022 Danville, CA

Can I insure a car that is being financed by someone else?

Insuring a car you don't own can be tricky. If you're lucky, you should be able to insure the vehicle under your own policy without any issue from your insurance company. However, not every carrier offers this type of policy (called a non-owners policy) so you may need to do some research…

Dec 29, 2016 Riverside, CA

Browse All Questions Ask a Question

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.