Best Seasonal Auto Insurance in 2024 (Your Guide to the Top 10 Companies)

Nationwide, American Family, and USAA have some of the best seasonal auto insurance for customers.

Need coverage during certain times of the year or need different coverage for each of your vehicles? While car insurance is usually only available in six-month terms, there are plenty of cheap 6-month auto insurance options.

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Best Seasonal Auto Insurance

Keep reading to find auto insurance policies that can be used seasonally, as finding coverage tailored to your needs can help save you money. Compare seasonal auto insurance rates today by entering your ZIP code into our free tool. 

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#1 – Nationwide: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Vanishing Deductible: Nationwide reduces deductible amounts for good drivers who don’t file claims.
• Usage-Based Coverage: Nationwide sells pay-per-mile insurance through SmartMiles.
• Add-On Options: Nationwide sells multiple optional coverages. Find out more in our Nationwide review.

Cons

• Local Agent Availability: Local assistance may not be available in your state.
• Customer Ratings: Nationwide could improve its customer service ratings slightly.

#2 – American Family: Best for Customer Service

Pros

• Customer Service: Read about American Family’s highly rated services in our American Family review.
• Loyalty Discounts: Customers who stay with American Family are awarded a discount.
• Coverage Variety: American Family has roadside assistance and other beneficial add-ons.

Cons

• Availability: Only available in 19 states for non-Costco members.
• DUI Rates: DUI rates are not as competitive as American Family’s rates for good drivers.

#3 – USAA: Best for Military Benefits

Pros

• Military Benefits: USAA members get additional discounts and perks.
• Discount Variety: There are plenty of discounts for policyholders looking to save.
• Add-On Coverages: USAA has a good coverage selection for customers. Learn more in our USAA auto insurance review.

Cons

• Eligibility: Active service members, veterans, and their families are the only drivers who can buy coverage.
• Local Agent Availability: USAA’s services are provided mainly online.

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#4 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Accident Forgiveness

Pros

• Accident Forgiveness: Avoid post-accident rate increases at Liberty Mutual if you were previously claims-free.
• 24/7 Support: Liberty Mutual offers support 24/7 with online chat options or phone calls.
• Availability: Widespread availability across the U.S. means Liberty Mutual can be kept as your insurer when you move.

Cons

• Customer Ratings: Liberty Mutual customers don’t always leave stellar reviews. Find out more in our Liberty Mutual review.
• Discount Availability: Some states may not offer Liberty Mutual’s full list of discounts.

#5 – Progressive: Best for Snapshot Program

Pros

• Snapshot Program: A great way for safe drivers to save on their Progressive policies. Learn more in our Progressive Snapshot review.
• Competitive Rates: Progressive’s rates are more competitive than most for higher-risk drivers.
• Online Tools: Progressive has many useful tools to help drivers manage their policies.

Cons

• Snapshot Rate Changes: Snapshot may raise rates after poor scores.
• Customer Service: Progressive’s ratings could be better. Find out more in our review of Progressive.

#6 – Farmers: Best for Family Plans

Pros

• Family Plans: Farmers is great for families shopping for auto insurance plans, as it has family discounts.
• Discount Selection: Farmers has a large discount selection. Find out more in our review of Farmers.
• Accident Forgiveness: Claims-free customers could avoid rate increases.

Cons

• Online Functions: Farmers’ online tools are more limited compared to other companies.
• Customer Satisfaction: Services provided by Farmers could have higher ratings.

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#7 – State Farm: Best for Local Agents

Pros

• Local Agents: One of State Farm’s perks is its widespread availability of agents. Read more in our State Farm review.
• Adjustable Deductibles: Customers can adjust deductibles on their policies easily.
• Good Students: State Farm has good student and student-away discounts for customers under the age of 25.

Cons

• Financial Rating: State Farm has a lower rating than you’d expect for a large company.
• Agent Purchases: All policies must be finalized through a State Farm agent.

#8 – Allstate: Best for Infrequent Drivers

Pros

• Infrequent Drivers: Allstate sells pay-per-mile insurance that is great for infrequent drivers.
• Discount Options: There is a good selection of available discounts at Allstate. Learn more in our Allstate review.
• Claim Satisfaction Guarantee: Allstate offers dissatisfied customers credits.

Cons

• Claim Satisfaction: Complaints about claim management are higher than normal.
• Young Driver Rates: Allstate doesn’t offer the best rates unless teens are joining a parent’s policy.

#9 – AAA: Best for Roadside Assistance

Pros

• Roadside Assistance: AAA has great roadside assistance plans for customers. Read more in our AAA review.
• Member Benefits: AAA memberships can help customers score discounts on some producers.
• Coverage Options: There is a full list of add-ons for policy personalization.

Cons

• Membership Fee: Customers will need to buy an AAA membership before buying auto insurance.
• Customer Service Variations: Ratings may differ among states, as different clubs sell AAA.

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#10 – Erie: Best for Personalized Policies

Pros

• Personalized Policies: Erie has great policy options that allow customers to personalize as needed. Learn more by reading our Erie review.
• Discount Options: There is a full list of Erie discounts to help customers save.
• Rate Lock: Erie locks in rates unless there are changes to a driving record or coverages.

Cons

• Availability: Erie is not sold in the majority of U.S. states, limiting the number of customers it can serve.
• Bad Credit Rates: In a few states, Erie does increase rates for drivers with bad credit scores.

How to Shop for Seasonal Car Insurance

Can you get seasonal car insurance? In many ways, searching for quality auto insurance coverage for summer only is similar to shopping for regular auto insurance coverage. The first thing you need to do is compare rates for different types of car insurance. 

Seasonal Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level & Provider

Don’t forget to ask car insurance companies about any special discounts they have for direct insurance on summer cars. Some insurance companies may have deals available, but they may not always mention them upfront.

Ask About Car Insurance Discounts

Different companies have their own promotions for those with good driving records or multiple vehicles to insure. By asking about these types of discounts, you can buy affordable seasonal car insurance from a company offering something that will benefit you.

Something else to consider when seeking summer insurance coverage is your credit score. Those with a credit score below 600 may struggle to find affordable auto insurance.

However, suppose you have a low credit score or a driving record with some blemishes. In that case, you can still save money on seasonal insurance for cars by getting on an insurance policy of a household member with a better score or record.

Cover All of Your Vehicles

Even if you have car insurance for summer only, you need to cover all vehicles registered in your name. Insurance companies will typically require this, even if you do not intend to drive them for a period of time. This is because they could still become damaged even if they are parked.

• Another driver could hit your parked car.
• Summer storms and hail can cause significant damage.
• Other miscellaneous accidents could damage your vehicle.

If you cannot afford to cover a vehicle or would like to save money, there are other options. In some cases, you may be able to suspend your car’s registration temporarily. In most cases, however, it is best to get quotes from top companies like Nationwide to see if there’s an affordable rate. 

You can also use a free quote comparison tool to quickly compare multiple seasonal auto insurance rates.

Buy the Right Policy

If you own a vehicle that you only intend to drive during certain times of the year, then take some time to assess how much coverage you need. For example, if you have full coverage on a car that you will only drive in the summer, you can reduce your coverage to stored car insurance and lower your rates.

If you are sure that you will not be driving your car after a certain point, canceling your car insurance altogether might be an option. Your insurance company would reimburse you for the months left on your policy if you paid your annual rates in full. 

For example, if you paid for one year of insurance but want to cancel after six months, your insurer will reimburse you for the remaining six months of your policy. 

However, if you intend to drive that vehicle again, it will be more expensive to buy a new policy after canceling your coverage. And you are not legally allowed to drive the vehicle again until you meet the car insurance coverage requirements for your state.

What You Need to Know About Seasonal Auto Insurance

If you do not drive all of your vehicles consistently throughout the year, then you may be looking for seasonal car insurance. However, keep in mind that you will need to insure your automobile if you intend to drive on public roads.  

Insurance companies don’t offer seasonal auto insurance, but educating yourself about the different coverage options, like cheap usage-based auto insurance or storage insurance, can help you find the right policy for your lifestyle and budget.

Ready to shop for affordable summer auto insurance? Compare rates now with our free quote tool.

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