Yes, you can absolutely insure a car for a weekend. The most common and straightforward method is through a short-term car insurance policy. These are specifically designed for brief periods, ranging from one day to several months. This is an ideal solution if you're borrowing a friend's car, using a vehicle-sharing service like Turo, or need temporary coverage for a rental car beyond what the rental company offers.
Another option is a non-owner car insurance policy. If you frequently drive cars you don't own, this policy provides liability coverage for you as a driver. It doesn't cover a specific vehicle, but it follows you when you're behind the wheel of a car not listed on your primary policy. For a weekend rental, you could rely on your non-owner policy for liability and then purchase the rental company's Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) to cover damage to the rental car itself.
It's crucial to understand that your existing personal auto policy might already extend some coverage to a rental car, but this varies significantly by insurer and policy type. It typically covers liability, but comprehensive and collision coverage may not transfer. Always call your insurer to confirm before you rely on it.
| Insurance Type | Best For | Typical Coverage | Key Consideration |
|---|
| Short-Term Policy | Borrowing a car, Turo rentals, gap coverage | Customizable (Liability, Comp, Collision) | Priced per day; can be more expensive than annual policies on a per-day basis. |
| Non-Owner Policy | Frequent drivers of cars they don't own | Liability (Bodily Injury, Property Damage) | Does not cover a specific vehicle; must often be held for a term (e.g., 6 months). |
| Rental Company CDW/LDW | Convenience, avoiding claims on personal policy | Damage/Loss to the rental vehicle | Can be expensive; often sold at the rental counter. Credit card benefits may provide this for free. |
| Personal Policy Extension | Occasional, short-term rentals | Varies (often liability only) | Must verify with your agent; may not cover exotic, luxury, or commercial vehicles. |
Before your weekend trip, compare quotes from specialized short-term insurers and check with your credit card company for any automatic rental insurance benefits.
