Best Same-Day Car Insurance

How to get instant auto insurance online

Technically, every auto insurance policy could be described as “same-day car insurance.” You can shop around for car insurance while picking out your new car, find a rate you like and buy it when you're at the dealership — all in one day.

Furthermore, any auto quote you receive should come free of charge. Insurance companies advertise “free and instant auto insurance quotes,” implying other sites or companies charge for them. Quotes are complimentary across the board and won't impact your current car insurance premium, making it easy to buy cheap car insurance online. Don't hesitate to compare insurance rates and weigh your options in your search for cheap auto insurance.

If you're looking for same-day free car insurance quotes, The Zebra's insurance experts are here to help.

Average car insurance rates

For those looking for the best car insurance rates online, take a look at the average auto insurance rates from auto insurers offering same-day car insurance in the U.S.

What information is required to get an instant online car insurance quote?

To get an accurate insurance quote as quickly as possible, you need to have the following information available.

Of course, this is not a set-in-stone list of information needed to receive a car insurance quote. If you're at a dealership and need car insurance immediately to drive off the lot, you might be able to simplify this list by just including your information (for example, if you have multiple drivers). Remember to call your insurance provider at a later date and update this information.

Should I get car insurance before I buy a car?

It depends. If you buy or finance your vehicle through a dealership, a full coverage auto insurance policy may be required in order to drive the vehicle off the lot.

This may change if you buy from a private dealer. Some insurance policies have a grace period for coverage extensions for newly acquired vehicles, meaning, the highest level of coverage you have on your current vehicle(s) can be extended for a short period of time. If the private dealer does not require you to immediately add the vehicle to your insurance policy, you could buy the vehicle prior to insuring it. As long as there's no lienholder and you're the sole owner of the vehicle you purchase, you are free to choose your own coverage options.

Is it okay to buy car insurance online?

Yes! To consumers who have historically purchased insurance over the phone or in person, buying a policy online may seem less secure. However, this is not the case! In a world where technology is ever-expanding, insurance companies and comparison websites like The Zebra have made it easy and safe to shop for and purchase insurance online. It may even be cheaper in many cases to sign up for a policy online, as quotes are free and there are no agency fees or markups. If you've recently received quotes but haven't yet purchased your policy, you may even be able to retrieve a saved quote at a later time. 

Learn more about how insurance comparison websites like The Zebra work.

How long does it take to get car insurance online?

If you're getting a new quote from a car insurance company, you should be able to get a car insurance policy in less than an hour. Because you are starting an entirely new policy, you are required to make a down payment in order for your policy to be considered active. The amount of your down payment will depend on your insurance company and your auto insurance coverage level.

If you have an established policy with an insurance company, it should only take a few minutes to get an online auto insurance quote — either online or with the help of an experienced insurance agent. Be sure to have all the necessary information on hand to streamline this process. Current policyholders may be able to make policy changes and get quotes through an insurer's mobile app if available.

Reasons why you may not be able to get car insurance immediately

When drivers get quotes, insurance companies use the information submitted to generate pricing. The biggest reasons why you may not be able to get same-day car insurance are if some of this crucial information is missing, or if circumstances require that insurer to assess whether it can provide coverage for you. Some examples that could prevent you from getting same-day car insurance include:

• Not having a permanent address: Insurance companies use your location as a factor in your quote, so may not sell you a policy if the insurer can't verify your address.
• Having too many accidents or citations on your record: This is a sign of liability to insurance companies, meaning you could be too risky of a client. It could be more difficult to find coverage depending on the state of your driving history, but some companies will offer you a policy — but it could require more research. Learn more about how to find insurance as a high-risk driver.
• You drive a unique, rare or classic car: If you drive a vehicle that isn't listed in a company's database, it could require more work to find a policy. Not all insurance companies will sell you a policy for a rare or classic car; you may need to get quotes from insurers that specialize in classic cars, like Hagerty.

If you can't get a quote online, we recommend calling the insurance company and getting personalized help from one of the company's representatives.

Understanding "one-day" insurance

Technically, all car insurance is "one-day" car insurance, as you can activate your policy immediately and terminate it at any point. However, being covered by an insurer for only a single day can land you in trouble for several reasons.

3. Leased and financed vehicles often have contractual stipulations requiring insurance

If you're leasing or financing your vehicle through the dealership or a bank, they typically require you to maintain full coverage (collision and comprehensive coverage) on your vehicle in addition to liability insurance. By canceling your policy, you are putting your vehicle in danger of repossession if they (your bank or dealership) find out. Moreover, you could be saddled with forced insurance — where a bank or lender pays the auto insurance bill before passing along the costs to you. Forced insurance coverage is typically much more expensive than getting an auto insurance policy yourself.

4. You could be putting yourself at risk on the road

If you're found at fault after an accident without an active car insurance policy, you will most likely be ticketed, face license suspension and can even be sued for property or liability damages.

Although car insurance can be expensive, it’s cheaper than the world of trouble you can get yourself into if you’re caught driving uninsured or get into an at-fault accident without insurance. The financial responsibility you could face in those circumstances — costs for bodily injury and property damage can get steep depending on the collision's severity — is typically far worse than the auto insurance rate you will pay. There are affordable options, and you can compare auto insurance policies online to make sure you're getting the best rate.

Instant car insurance quotes: what to consider

Every major car insurance company should be able to provide same-day or instant car insurance. If you're looking for car insurance in order to legally drive your new vehicle off the lot of the dealership, make sure you have all the information ready to make the process as painless as possible. If you opt to forgo car insurance — or only purchase it temporarily before dropping coverage — you risk being caught driving without insurance, and the consequences you will face will be much more costly than an elevated insurance premium. Enter your ZIP code below to see cheap car insurance quotes from national and local insurance providers.

Affordable same-day auto insurance FAQs