How Can You Get Auto Insurance Immediately?
Last Updated on November 5, 2021
You need car insurance today. Maybe you are at the dealership and are planning on purchasing a new car. Maybe you are bringing a check to a private seller and are driving your new car home today. Maybe you just realized your insurance policy is no longer active and you need new insurance coverage immediately. Regardless of the circumstances, you need coverage instantly.
How can you get auto insurance immediately? How do you get an instant car insurance quote? Can you print proof of insurance coverage right after buying the policy? Below, we’re answering every question you have about getting auto insurance immediately.
Most Insurance Companies Offer Instant Car Insurance Quotes
Most major insurance companies – including nationwide providers and smaller local insurers – will provide some type of instant car insurance.
Getting quick car insurance coverage is easy. You just call the insurance company or visit online. They’ll be able to provide you with an insurance plan within minutes.
Drivers do this every day. When you purchase a new vehicle, for example, you might need to call an insurance company from the dealership to get immediate insurance coverage. This type of insurance is often called “drive-away insurance” as it covers you for your drive home from the dealership. Regardless, there’s nothing unusual about getting car insurance on the spot.
The only real “catch” behind instant car insurance is that it can be more expensive than traditional car insurance plans – especially if you’re shopping for quick car insurance on evenings, weekends, holidays, or outside of general business hours. Traditional insurance companies might shut down during these times, which is why you could be stuck with other insurance companies – including high-priced insurers that specialize in instant auto insurance. These companies might charge an exorbitant amount for short-term insurance – but you’ll get auto insurance within an hour or less.
Certain insurance companies specialize in instant car insurance. The General, for example, is known for providing instant auto insurance – including proof of insurance you can print within minutes. However, most nationwide providers offer similar speedy quotes and policy activations.
What You Need Before Applying for Instant Auto Insurance
If you want to apply for instant auto insurance, then you’ll need the following information before requesting a quote:
- Your name, address, and date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle make, model, and VIN number
- An estimate of your average daily driving miles
- Details of any driving violations, accidents, or claims in the last five years (including the approximate dates and other details)
You’ll also need to know how much coverage you’d like to purchase. If you are inexperienced and do not really know how much coverage you’d like, the agent can give recommendations based on what other drivers purchase. At the very least, you’ll need to purchase minimum coverage insurance so that you’re driving legally.
To learn more about the type of coverage you need and how much coverage you need, view our guides on the topics below:
Compare Auto Insurance Quotes Online Today and Get Car Insurance Instantly
Apply for car insurance quotes online today and get car insurance instantly. All major insurance companies offer free, no-obligation quotes online or over the phone. You can request a quote from multiple insurance companies, then complete the application process.
If you need car insurance quickly – like within the next hour or less – then you’re better off working with a human employee at the insurance company. An online quote request form might be processed quickly – but it might not be as quick as you need. In any case, you’re in a unique situation, and you may wish to speak with a real human being to ensure your insurance is active as soon as possible.
To start the process, here is a list of the phone numbers and websites of the top auto isurance companies in the country:
Insurance Company Name | Telephone Number | Website Address |
---|---|---|
21st Century Insurance Company | (800) 211-7283 | https://www.21st.com |
Alliance United Insurance Company | (866) 530-5500 | https://www.AllianceUnited.com |
Allstate Insurance Company | (800) 255-7828 | https://www.allstate.com |
American Family Insurance | (800) 692-6326 | https://www.amfam.com/ |
Amica Mutual Insurance Company | (800) 242-6422 | https://www.amica.com |
Anchor General Insurance Company | (800) 542-6246 | https://www.anchorgeneral.com |
Auto-Owners | (517) 323-1200 | https://www.auto-owners.com/ |
California Capital Insurance Company | (800) 682-9255 | https://www.ciginsurance.com |
California Casualty Indemnity Exchange | (800) 800-9410 | https://www.calcas.com |
Chubb | (800) 324-8222 | https://www.chubb.com |
CSAA General Insurance Company | (800) 922-8228 | https://www.calif.aaa.com/insurance/auto-insurance.html |
Esurance Property and Casualty Insurance Company | (800) 378-7262 | https://www.esurance.com |
Encompass Insurance Company | (800) 897-9678 | https://www.encompassinsurance.com |
Erie Insurance | (800) 458-0811 | https://www.erieinsurance.com/ |
Equity Insurance Company | (800) 792-3224 | http://www.equityins.net/ |
Explorer Insurance Company | (800) 788-8984 | https://www.explorer-insurance.com |
Farmers Insurance Exchange | (800) 974-6755 | https://www.farmers.com |
First American Property & Casualty Insurance Company | (888) 922-5343 | https://www.fapcig.com |
Fred Loya Insurance | (888) 248-8787 | https://www.fredloya.com |
GEICO Insurance | (800) 841-3000 | https://www.geico.com/ |
Grange Insurance | (800) 247-2643 | https://www.grangeinsurance.com/ |
Guideone Mutual Insurance Company | (877) 448-4331 | https://www.guideone.com |
Hartford Casualty Insurance Company | (888) 413-8970 | https://www.thehartford.com |
Horace Mann Insurance Company | (800) 999-1030 | https://www.horacemann.com |
Infinity Insurance Company | (800) 782-1020 | https://www.infinityauto.com/ |
Kemper Insurance | (877) 252-7878 | https://www.kemper.com/ |
Liberty Mutual | (800) 837-5254 | https://www.libertymutual.com |
MAPFRE Insurance Company | (877) 627-3731 | https://www.mapfreinsurance.com |
Mercury Insurance Company | (800) 956-3728 | https://www.mercuryinsurance.com |
MetLife | (800) 638-5433 | https://www.metlife.com/ |
Metromile Insurance Company | (888) 244-1702 | https://www.metromile.com |
National General Insurance Company | (800) 847-2886 | https://nationalgeneral.com/ |
Nationwide Insurance Company of America | (800) 282-1446 | https://www.nationwide.com/ |
NJM Insurance Company | (800) 232-6600 | https://www.njm.com/ |
Progressive Insurance | (855) 347-3749 | https://www.progressive.com |
Safe Auto Insurance Company | (800) 723-3288 | https://www.safeauto.com/ |
Safeco Insurance Company of America | (800) 472-3326 | https://www.safeco.com |
The Cincinnati Insurance Company | (888) 242-8811 | https://www.cinfin.com/ |
State Farm | (800) 782-8332 | https://www.statefarm.com/ |
Travelers | (855) 834-7977 | https://www.travelers.com/ |
USAA Insurance Company | (800) 531-8722 | https://www.usaa.com |
Wawanesa General Insurance Company | (800) 640-2920 | https://www.wawanesaus.com |
Workmen's Auto Insurance Company | (800) 927-8221 | https://www.waic.com |
Remember: Insurance Isn’t Active Until You Make a Payment
The most important thing to remember about instant car insurance is that you’re required to make at least some payment on your insurance plan – like a deposit – in order for car insurance to be active. Until you make at least some payment towards your insurance plan, your car insurance will not be considered active and you will not be able to legally drive.
Some companies advertise first-month free insurance policies, but if you really dig into what they are offering, you’ll realize that some sort of deposit is still required.
Typically, to activate your policy, you can make a payment online, then print off proof of insurance within minutes. Sometimes, you can even download your insurance company’s mobile app and see your electronic insurance ID card there.
Receive Proof of Insurance by Fax or Email
You don’t need to personally visit your insurance company’s office to receive proof of your insurance policy. You should be able to print out proof of your insurance, receive it by fax or email, or load it up on your insurance company’s mobile app.
Typically, insurance companies will mail proof of insurance to your address – or you pick up insurance at their office. In cases where you need vehicle insurance right away, however, your best option is to receive proof of insurance by email or fax. Print off the documents and then carry it with you in the vehicle to prove you have insurance.
Final Word on Immediate Car Insurance Coverage
Most major insurance companies in the United States offer instant car insurance. You can apply for a quote online in seconds, purchase coverage within minutes, and then receive proof of insurance. You can get proof of coverage via email, fax, or your insurer’s mobile app.
The basic process works like this:
- Step 1) Get a quote
- Step 2) Purchase your auto insurance policy
- Step 3) Print proof of insurance
Getting immediate auto insurance isn’t unusual or difficult. Companies process instant auto insurance coverage every day. You may need instant auto insurance when driving a vehicle away from the dealership for the first time, for example. Call an insurance agent or request an insurance quote online today to get car insurance coverage right away.