Looking for “Temporary” Car Insurance Solutions?
Hey everyone! I’m an 18-year-old guy living in New York City. My parents drive a 2012 Chevy Avalanche, which my dad needs for work during the week. Unfortunately, insurance costs are pretty steep—around $2,500 a year—especially in such a busy area. I’ve had my license for about a year now, but I haven’t had a chance to drive the truck on my own since I’ve been focused on college and didn’t need to be added to the policy.
This summer, I’m hoping to drive more, about 2-3 times a week, to visit friends and explore while I’m on break for roughly 15 weeks. The issue is that my parents have Geico, and they don’t offer any temporary insurance options on a monthly or weekly basis. If I were to go on my parents’ policy full-time, it could increase the insurance to over $4,000 a year, which is insane! If I drove the truck hypothetically for 45 days this summer, that would mean almost $35 a day just for insurance, not to mention the high gas costs in that truck.
I’ve also looked into rental options in the city, like Zipcar and Turo, but the prices are crazy—Zipcars in my area are around $180 a day! While that includes gas, it still feels way too expensive for what I need.
So, what are my options? Is it unreasonable to want to drive my family car and enjoy my summer without breaking the bank? I’m open to any suggestions that won’t cost as much as a two-week trip to Europe! Thanks in advance!
It sounds like you’re in a tough spot trying to find a cost-effective solution for driving over the summer. Here are a few options you might consider:
Add Yourself to Parents’ Policy as a Named Driver: While it can increase the premium, adding yourself as a named driver on your parents’ Geico policy might still be cheaper than going for a standalone policy. It’s worth discussing with your parents and checking with Geico for any potential discounts they might offer for young drivers.
Explore Other Insurance Providers: Not all insurance companies have the same rates, so it could be worth getting quotes from other companies. Some insurance providers might have more favorable rates for young drivers or specific coverage options for temporary needs.
Short-Term Insurance: While Geico doesn’t offer it, look for companies that specialize in short-term or temporary insurance. Insurers like Commetic, Insure4aday, or even usage-based insurance options may allow you to get coverage for just the time you need.
Discuss Low Mileage Discounts: If you’re not driving far often, some companies offer low-mileage discounts that could help reduce costs. It’s worth asking potential insurers about this.
Consider Other Vehicle Sharing Options: Since Zipcar is expensive, consider platforms like Turo where you may find more affordable options for renting a car for a few days. Some private owners may list their vehicles at reasonable rates, especially for longer rentals.
Family Driving Arrangement: If feasible, discuss with your parents about splitting driving time where they might let you borrow the car when they don’t need it during the weekends or other days.
Carpooling or Ride Shares: If your primary goal is visiting friends, consider setting up a carpool or using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft as opposed to paying for insurance. It might end up being more economical depending on where you’re going.
Talk to Your School: Some colleges partner with car rental companies that offer discounts or have arrangements for students. Check if your school has any resources available.
Ultimately, it’s about balancing the cost with what you want to achieve during your summer break. Best of luck finding a solution that works for you!