If you're looking for flexible car insurance, you might be interested in a temporary auto insurance policy. Truth is, temporary car insurance is hard to come by for multiple reasons.
Most many car insurers don't tend to offer contracts for less than six months. As car coverage is required by law in every state but one, it can be risky to jump between policies. You also risk creating gaps in your car insurance history by swapping policies frequently, leading to more expensive prices in the long run.
Thankfully, car insurance policies commonly run just half of a year. This allows insurers to frequently “re-rate” — or re-price — your bill with your recent driving profile and demographic info.
The six-month mark also gives you a great opportunity to improve your insurance by shopping for a policy with other auto insurers. Retrieving quotes via The Zebra is painless, and there’s no penalty for moving between auto insurance companies when a policy expires — or even in the middle of your policy term, as long as you don't let your coverage lapse.
The flexible nature of car insurance makes it relatively easy to buy with almost no notice. If you're asked to purchase a policy before you can drive your new car off of the lot, attempting to get a policy for a longer-term auto rental or seeking insurance for a car you don't own but do drive regularly, consider purchasing a six-month policy and ending the term as needed.
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Short-term car insurance in Virginia
See below average car insurance rates in the state of Virginia, organized by popular auto insurance companies and cities. If your costs exceed the rates below, consider making a change.
TEMPORARY CAR INSURANCE RATES IN VIRGINIA — BY COMPANY
| Insurance Company | Average 6-Month Rate | Average Monthly Rate |
| Virginia State Average — All Companies | $503 | $84 |
| Penn National | $434 | $72 |
| Erie | $477 | $79 |
| Utica National | $483 | $81 |
| Virginia Farm Bureau | $535 | $89 |
| Progressive | $541 | $90 |
The most affordable option for single-month car insurance in Virginia is Penn National, through which you can save $7 each month, compared to the next-best option, Erie. In Virginia, the average monthly cost of car insurance is $84, or $503 over a biannual period.
The place in which you drive has as great an influence on your insurance rates as the insurance company you choose. Auto insurance companies take into account the number of local insurance claims when rating policies by ZIP. View insurance premiums in Virginia's most populous cities and compare against what you pay.
TEMPORARY AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN VIRGINIA — BY CITY
| Location | Average 6-Month Rate | Average Monthly Rate |
| Virginia Beach | $521 | $87 |
| Norfolk | $558 | $93 |
| Chesapeake | $520 | $87 |
| Arlington | $530 | $89 |
| Richmond | $538 | $90 |
Because of the myriad factors involved in setting insurance rates, your quotes may not match the totals displayed above. If your current rates don't match those listed above, take a moment to shop around. The short-term duration of a car insurance contract adds to the importance of remaining informed and willing to shop.
Find out more about short-term auto insurance or use The Zebra to see personalized quotes today.
Additional resources
- Discover more about weekend-only car insurance.
- Is it possible to get car insurance with no credit history?
- Find cheap auto insurance for new drivers.
- Check out the best car insurance options for teen drivers.
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.