Temporary Auto Insurance

Many major insurance companies offer temporary auto insurance as a product which their customers can purchase for situations where a normal insurance policy is not appropriate. Most car insurance policies are written for a period of six months or a year.Coverage for less than a year is usually considered a temporary or short-term policy. This type of insurance is more expensive, yet it is useful for certain situations where another driver who is not listed on the regular policy will be using the vehicle for a short period of time. Note that it is usually not possible to purchase temporary policies for situations where an individual is living in the same house as the policyholder. This is because most insurers assume that the individual will probably wind up driving the vehicle on a regular basis and should therefore be listed on the normal policy.Those who purchase a new car may also wish to buy temporary auto insurance in order to protect their purchases. It would be unfortunate indeed to wind up needing to continue making payments on a car that was involved in an accident which rendered it inoperable soon after leaving the showroom floor! By purchasing a temporary policy, this situation can be avoided. Later, buyers can examine their options and choose the best coverage for their vehicles. However, with the availability of Internet access to a great variety of insurance products, buyers can also easily arrange to be fully covered by a regular policy even before they drive off of the salesman's lot. Some dealerships even offer Internet access as a service to their customers for this very purpose. Certificates which verify the existence of the policy can be printed on the policyholder's own printer.Sometimes a parent may arrange a temporary auto insurance policy for a beginning driver who is home from college and who plans on using the family car during semester breaks. In fact, some view this as a money-saving way to insure young drivers who are away at achool and will only be driving while at home. (For example, some colleges do not allow freshmen to bring a vehicle on campus.) Although the temporary auto insurance policy is more expensive than regular coverage on a month to month basis, using it for these limited periods can be far less expensive than including the student on a family's policy. Of course, this option is not practical if the student will be driving while away at school, for the premium rate of a temporary policy is much more expensive than if one were to make the student a listed participant in a regular car insurance policy. Vacation is another time when a temporary auto insurance policy can come in handy. Travelers often purchase such policies if they are going to be operating a vehicle which is not their own, such as a rental vehicle. Business travelers may purchase temporary auto insurance in conjunction with car rentals for work purposes. While moving to a new home, homeowners may consider purchasing a temporary policy for friends who are assisting them by driving family vehicles filled with possessions to the new location. A person who wishes to purchase a car from a far-away location and then drive it home may also choose to purchase a temporary policy so that the automobile will be covered during the journey home.In each of the above situations, or in any circumstance where consideration is being given to buying a temporary auto insurance policy, be sure to do some research before making a purchase. At times, temporary drivers of a vehicle may already be insured through the regular policy on the vehicle. This can be true in some rental situations as well, where drivers may already be covered by their policies on their own vehicles for such events. In this case, a temporary insurance policy would be redundant. Such information is not likely to be offered by dealers anxious to roll the cost of these policies into the total cost of a new or rental car. Therefore, it is up to individuals to make themselves aware of coverages which they already possess, or to seek out the best deal for insurance policies. With information on practically any subject so readily available online, this should not be too difficult to accomplish.The Internet greatly facilitates one's search for products, whether for regular or temporary auto insurance coverage. Many insurers are eager to provide quotes for a customer, and several will also give information regarding the costs of competitors' policies as well.Within a short period of time -- sometimes only minutes -- the facts are available to make good decisions in this area. Many times online representatives will also engage in discussion about the best coverage for a particular situation. No doubt they would be willing to design policies for special circumstances, or for covering business fleets as well. Take advantage of the expertise which is freely offered by these individuals.As Proverbs 24:5-6 states, A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Therefore, be sure to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of policies from several different companies before making a decision. Also, be sure to get written confirmation of the terms of the policy for future reference and for legal protection in case of an accident. Such information can be immediately provided by fax or email by companies with a professional concern for detail.