Can you buy auto insurance on the weekend?
Most companies let you buy auto insurance on the weekend, and an existing policy may allow for an automatic extension. Read our guide below for more info on how to get car insurance for a weekend.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 8, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 8, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Larger insurance companies typically offer round-the-clock customer service and online policy options
- If you work with an agent, you need to discuss their availability if you plan to buy over the weekend
- Some policies have an automatic extension clause to cover new acquisitions temporarily
If you’re looking to buy a new or used car and have a busy schedule, you may only be able to do this on the weekend or outside of traditional office hours. The dealership may extend longer hours to give people in your situation more flexibility, but you may be worried about insurance.
How will you take care of this important coverage if you’re ready to pick up your car out of hours? When can you get insurance? This can be a challenge for people in your situation, and you need answers before proceeding. We explain your options here.
If you need to buy auto insurance on the weekend, enter your ZIP code to compare FREE quotes from multiple companies to find cheap auto insurance.
Can you buy auto insurance on the weekend?
The good news is that you should be able to confirm coverage outside of the traditional 9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday office schedule. Most insurance companies have a customer service phone line, and many have walk-in offices that are open on Saturdays. In some cases, you may not even need to worry about talking to an agent if your current policy has a specific clause. In this case, you get automatic insurance for a new car for a given amount of time.
Most companies will also let you purchase a policy online or via a mobile app. This is especially easy if you already have a policy with that company, but brand-new policies can be bought this way as well.
What are direct writers?
Many national insurance companies operate a “direct writer” policy. This means that they do not necessarily use independent sales agents and deal directly with the public. Those organizations will typically have a 24-hour phone line, where you can call a number (often toll-free) to get quotes, make payments, bind coverage, or file claims.
They also tend to use a lot of online services, and most have mobile apps that allow you to handle most needs.
Can you buy auto insurance on the weekend with independent agencies?
Some independent insurance agencies may be open on Saturdays or offer an appointment-only service. National companies will typically offer more flexibility and allow you to buy last-minute insurance on any day and at any time during the week.
If you are adamant that you want to work with an agent, and they’re not typically open during weekend hours, you need to prepare in advance. Discuss what you plan to do and get a quote for the vehicle you have in mind. You need to see whether they can answer your call out of hours to bind the coverage if you agree on terms with the dealer or seller.
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Do you need immediate insurance?
You must have at least the minimum amount of auto insurance before driving away from a dealer’s lot. Each state’s DMV requires the dealer to file paperwork, so they’ll confirm that you have coverage before you get the keys.
As soon as the seller approves the purchase, you become the car’s legal owner, and you must comply with relevant auto insurance laws in your state. Also, when you are looking for full coverage insurance to lease a car, this company will typically demand that you have both comprehensive and collision coverage to protect the vehicle and their interest in it. The same applies to financed cars.
You can compare available numbers, but insurance rates are always unique to the individual. For example, below is a chart of average auto insurance rates in each state:
Average Auto Insurance Rates by State
| State | Average 2015 Rates | Average 2014 Rates | Average 2013 Rates | Average 2012 Rates | Average 2011 Rates | Average Auto Insurance Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $394.21 | $381.98 | $372.44 | $359.88 | $354.35 | $372.57 |
| Alaska | $539.68 | $550.59 | $555.04 | $544.66 | $546.71 | $547.34 |
| Arizona | $508.76 | $507.18 | $490.78 | $473.30 | $462.94 | $488.59 |
| Arkansas | $394.13 | $392.46 | $380.78 | $371.02 | $367.29 | $381.14 |
| California | $489.66 | $478.71 | $463.56 | $443.41 | $439.39 | $462.95 |
| Colorado | $520.04 | $500.72 | $473.68 | $449.65 | $441.41 | $477.10 |
| Connecticut | $650.94 | $642.95 | $635.62 | $626.47 | $613.77 | $633.95 |
| Delaware | $799.30 | $795.35 | $783.30 | $759.04 | $745.53 | $776.50 |
| District of Columbia | $628.82 | $629.25 | $634.70 | $624.34 | $623.34 | $628.09 |
| South Dakota | $300.22 | $297.38 | $289.39 | $281.04 | $277.16 | $289.04 |
| Florida | $857.64 | $837.24 | $860.36 | $856.39 | $813.60 | $845.05 |
| Georgia | $557.38 | $516.63 | $485.40 | $454.76 | $439.02 | $490.64 |
| Hawaii | $458.54 | $458.83 | $457.09 | $453.45 | $464.55 | $458.49 |
| Idaho | $344.29 | $348.12 | $339.50 | $326.00 | $327.96 | $337.17 |
| Illinois | $446.72 | $434.80 | $424.92 | $422.12 | $424.12 | $430.54 |
| Indiana | $382.68 | $371.69 | $363.00 | $376.23 | $368.61 | $372.44 |
| Iowa | $299.18 | $294.97 | $291.24 | $290.46 | $290.86 | $293.34 |
| Kansas | $358.24 | $354.24 | $342.27 | $329.67 | $327.21 | $342.33 |
| Kentucky | $529.21 | $523.10 | $522.34 | $516.40 | $503.52 | $518.91 |
| Louisiana | $775.83 | $750.23 | $723.93 | $698.21 | $687.56 | $727.15 |
| Maine | $338.87 | $336.70 | $333.69 | $332.07 | $328.25 | $333.92 |
| Maryland | $609.74 | $607.19 | $596.17 | $594.28 | $590.02 | $599.48 |
| Massachusetts | $606.04 | $598.71 | $589.38 | $578.75 | $565.87 | $587.75 |
| Michigan | $795.32 | $811.43 | $742.38 | $660.93 | $600.14 | $722.04 |
| Minnesota | $456.82 | $453.29 | $441.81 | $428.63 | $417.37 | $439.58 |
| Mississippi | $460.50 | $448.60 | $434.88 | $424.58 | $418.34 | $437.38 |
| Missouri | $415.88 | $406.67 | $399.08 | $390.04 | $385.39 | $399.41 |
| Montana | $386.29 | $392.53 | $388.54 | $383.76 | $387.71 | $387.77 |
| Nebraska | $364.64 | $353.26 | $347.54 | $340.33 | $339.58 | $349.07 |
| Nevada | $681.56 | $673.05 | $648.19 | $619.71 | $612.84 | $647.07 |
| New Hampshire | $400.56 | $395.51 | $391.92 | $390.72 | $387.51 | $393.24 |
| New Jersey | $869.57 | $881.58 | $882.82 | $860.59 | $833.20 | $865.55 |
| New Mexico | $488.03 | $484.62 | $464.51 | $441.11 | $432.78 | $462.21 |
| New York | $804.51 | $796.39 | $791.14 | $780.41 | $752.43 | $784.98 |
| North Carolina | $359.42 | $358.56 | $355.19 | $356.63 | $358.16 | $357.59 |
| North Dakota | $298.18 | $295.87 | $285.12 | $272.71 | $260.86 | $282.55 |
| Ohio | $397.11 | $388.88 | $374.53 | $362.97 | $357.31 | $376.16 |
| Oklahoma | $461.01 | $458.72 | $443.88 | $428.09 | $416.16 | $441.57 |
| Oregon | $584.13 | $585.26 | $562.95 | $527.64 | $507.19 | $553.43 |
| Pennsylvania | $499.06 | $496.87 | $497.28 | $495.22 | $486.66 | $495.02 |
| Rhode Island | $759.80 | $739.87 | $719.53 | $702.52 | $678.60 | $720.06 |
| South Carolina | $527.09 | $510.04 | $495.96 | $485.30 | $469.12 | $497.50 |
| Tennessee | $413.91 | $409.79 | $400.64 | $387.40 | $376.90 | $397.73 |
| Texas | $528.75 | $516.26 | $496.68 | $477.18 | $473.31 | $498.44 |
| Utah | $497.53 | $486.87 | $465.62 | $454.35 | $451.94 | $471.26 |
| Vermont | $343.12 | $341.60 | $343.85 | $340.55 | $335.79 | $340.98 |
| Virginia | $425.61 | $427.94 | $415.86 | $401.50 | $394.70 | $413.12 |
| Washington | $596.67 | $589.97 | $569.42 | $547.11 | $541.42 | $568.92 |
| West Virginia | $491.83 | $505.40 | $506.60 | $503.05 | $500.31 | $501.44 |
| Wisconsin | $374.37 | $367.00 | $354.57 | $346.74 | $356.54 | $359.84 |
| Wyoming | $321.04 | $335.59 | $323.25 | $316.53 | $320.47 | $323.38 |
| Countrywide | $538.73 | $530.01 | $517.88 | $503.28 | $492.03 | $516.39 |
Can you get an automatic extension?
You cannot simply wait until the weekend is over and offices open on Monday. You must have insurance in place from the moment you purchase the vehicle. However, check if you have a newly acquired provision written into your existing insurance policy to find out how many days you have to get car insurance.
If so, your current insurance company may automatically extend the type of coverage you have now to protect a newly acquired vehicle. Still, this coverage will only remain in place for a certain amount of time, so you will need to contact the insurance company as soon as possible so that they can issue a policy for the new vehicle.
Can you get car insurance for a weekend?
While some people worry about insuring a car on the weekend, others want to know if it’s possible to get car insurance for a weekend. Temporary insurance policies can offer coverage from as little as one hour and can certainly include a weekend. Thus, if you want to borrow a vehicle to move house, look for insurance companies that offer temporary protection.
Here are some of the largest providers you should consider shopping to find a policy over the weekend. We’d also be crazy not to mention that you can quickly get weekend auto insurance using our free tool above, which makes buying auto insurance on weekends easy.
Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies by Market Share
| Company | Market Share | Direct Premiums |
|---|---|---|
| 1. State Farm | 17.07% | $42 Billion |
| 2. Geico | 13.45% | $33.1 Billion |
| 3. Progressive | 11.01% | $27.1 Billion |
| 4. Allstate | 9.22% | $22.7 Billion |
| 5. USAA | 5.89% | $14.5 Billion |
| 6. Liberty Mutual | 4.79% | $11.8 Billion |
| 7. Farmers | 4.27% | $10.5 Billion |
| 8. Nationwide | 2.74% | $6.7 Billion |
| 9. Travelers | 1.91% | $4.7 Billion |
| 10. American Family | 1.91% | $4.7 Billion |
These companies with a large market share tend to have weekend business hours for quotes, questions, and claims. This makes it very convenient for people who need weekend services.
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Bottom Line: How to Buy Auto Insurance on the Weekend
Most national insurance companies offer round-the-clock customer service, so you’ll be able to get coverage for a newly acquired vehicle on the weekend. You may also be able to get coverage online.
If you work with an agency, you need to talk with them to see if they can accommodate you. Some policies have a clause that will automatically cover a newly acquired vehicle temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy auto insurance on the weekend?
Yes, it is possible to buy auto insurance on the weekend. While some insurance companies may have limited customer service hours on weekends, many insurance providers offer online platforms that allow you to obtain quotes and purchase policies at any time, including weekends.
How can I buy auto insurance on the weekend?
There are a few ways to buy auto insurance on the weekend:
- Online: Visit the website of an insurance company or use online insurance comparison platforms to obtain quotes and purchase policies directly online. Many insurance companies provide user-friendly interfaces that allow you to input your information, compare quotes, and complete the purchase process on weekends.
- Phone: Some insurance companies have customer service representatives available on the weekend. You can call their toll-free number to inquire about coverage options, obtain quotes, and complete the purchase over the phone.
- Mobile apps: Several insurance companies offer mobile apps that allow you to get quotes and buy insurance directly from your smartphone or tablet, giving you the flexibility to do so on the weekend.
Will my coverage be effective immediately if I buy insurance on the weekend?
The effective date of your coverage may vary depending on the insurance company’s policies and processes. In many cases, if you purchase insurance online or over the phone on the weekend, the coverage may take effect immediately or within a specified timeframe. However, it’s always important to review the policy documents or contact the insurance company directly to confirm the start date of your coverage.
Can I get a quote for auto insurance on the weekend?
Yes, you can typically obtain quotes for auto insurance on the weekend. Insurance company websites and online comparison platforms allow you to enter your information and generate quotes instantly, even outside of regular business hours.
Can I make changes to my existing auto insurance policy on the weekend?
Most insurance companies provide online customer portals or mobile apps that allow policyholders to make changes to their existing policies, including updating coverage options, adding or removing vehicles, and adjusting policy details. These services are often available 24/7, including on weekends. Alternatively, you can contact your insurance company’s customer service line to discuss any changes you wish to make to your policy.
Will I have access to customer support if I have questions about my policy on the weekend?
While some insurance companies may have limited customer support hours on weekends, many providers offer customer support through various channels, such as online chat, email, or toll-free phone numbers, even on weekends. Check your insurance company’s website or policy documents for the available contact options and hours of operation.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.