You can get car insurance the same day you need it. Most major insurance companies offer same-day coverage that you can purchase online, over the phone or through an agent. Once you pay, your coverage typically starts immediately, and you’ll receive digital proof of insurance right away.
You can also use Jerry to get car insurance today. We’ve helped 1,164,717 drivers compare car insurance quotes over the last year, many of which got covered the same day.
Whether you’re buying a new car, switching insurers, or need coverage after a lapse, same-day car insurance is easy to get. Here’s everything you need to know about getting insured fast.
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
How to get same-day car insurance
Getting car insurance today is easier than you think. Here’s how to do it in four simple steps.
Gather your information
You’ll need some information in order to get a car insurance policy today.
Have these ready to speed up the process:
🪪 Driver’s license number for all drivers that will be covered.
🚗 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for the cars that will be insured, found on your registration, title or on the driver’s side of your car.
🏠 Current address.
🎂 Date of birth for all drivers.
💳 Payment method.
📋 Current insurance information if you’re switching companies.
Compare quotes
Compare quotes from at least 3 insurers, because can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same coverage. You can quickly compare quotes in the Jerry app and see side-by-side quotes for the coverage you need.
Here are recent quotes for Jerry customers for full coverage:
Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.
Choose your coverage
Decide on the coverage you need and what the limits should be. Here are examples of how different coverages affect rates.
Minimum
$79 – $182 per month
Meet’s the state liability requirements, but won’t cover your own car.
Full
$162 – $356 per month
Adds collision and comprehensive, often required if you finance or lease your car.
Standard
$199 – $450 per month
Includes full coverage, plus uninsured motorist coverage.
Preferred
$222 – $494 per month
Includes higher liability limits, lower deductibles and extras like towing or rental reimbursement for top protection.
Learn more: Still not sure how much coverage to get? Read our guide on how much car insurance you need so you’re fully protected.
Purchase your policy and get proof of insurance
Coverage starts immediately after purchase, and you’ll receive a digital insurance card within minutes. If you buy through Jerry, you can access your proof of insurance directly in the app. All states except New Mexico accept digital proof for dealerships, traffic stops and registration.
Key takeaway: Same-day car insurance is simple: have your driver’s license and VIN ready, compare at least 3 quotes, pick your coverage and buy. You should get a digital insurance card within minutes.
Get car insurance today with Jerry
Getting covered today doesn’t have to be complicated. Jerry makes it easy to compare quotes from over 50 insurers in just minutes, with no lengthy forms or phone calls required. Simply answer a few questions and see side-by-side quotes for the coverage you need.
Once you choose a policy, you can purchase instantly and access your digital insurance card right in the app.
What does same-day car insurance cover?
Same-day insurance is a regular car insurance policy. It covers exactly what any standard policy covers based on what you purchase.
Here are the most common types of car insurance, what they cover and if you need them.
Key takeaway: Same-day car insurance is just regular car insurance. It covers whatever you choose to buy, from a basic liability-only policy to full coverage with collision, comprehensive and extras.
What may prevent or delay same-day coverage
While most drivers can get instant coverage, certain situations may cause delays.
You could struggle to get instant coverage if you have:
🚨 High-risk driving record. Too many accidents, claims or violations on your record may delay your coverage. Some insurers may need more time to assess how risky you are to insure.
🏎️ Rare, classic, or high-value cars. Classic and high-value car insurance often requires specialized insurers or more extensive review.
📍 No permanent address. Insurers use your residential address to determine rates. If they can’t verify your address, they may not issue a policy.
🚚 Out-of-state moves. If you’ve recently moved and your insurer doesn’t operate in your new state, you’ll need to find a new company which could take more time.
📝 Incomplete information. Missing VIN, driver’s license number or other required information will delay the quote and purchase process.
Key takeaway: Most drivers get instant coverage, but high-risk records, classic cars, recent moves, no permanent address or missing documents can cause delays.
It only takes 2 minutes to sign up at Jerry.
faq
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⏱️ How fast can I get car insurance?
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💰 Is same-day insurance more expensive?
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🚘 Can I drive a new car home without insurance?
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📋 What’s the minimum coverage I need for same-day insurance?
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🚫 Will my insurance cover an accident that happened before I bought the policy?
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📱 Do I need to wait for an insurance card to be mailed?
Methodology
Data included in this analysis comes from policies that Jerry has quoted within the last 6 months for drivers with a clean record and that have full coverage, unless stated otherwise. Data related to violations, accidents or credit scores pull from quote data from the last 18 months. Jerry services 48 states and offers a range of insurance companies to choose from.
Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.
