Cheap Car Insurance for Occasional Drivers in 2024 (Earn Savings With These 10 Companies!)

The top picks for cheap car insurance for occasional drivers are Erie, The Hartford, and Allstate, known for their comprehensive coverage and competitive pricing.

These providers cater specifically to those who drive less frequently, offering tailored policies that reflect the lower risk of occasional usage. Learn more in our “What is the best car insurance?”

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Cheap Car Insurance for Occasional Drivers

With a focus on affordability and flexibility, they ensure that even minimal drivers remain fully protected on the road. Such options are ideal for those who prioritize cost-effective insurance without compromising on quality.

Before learning more about occasional driver car insurance, enter your ZIP code above and receive personalized occasional driver car insurance quotes from multiple occasional driver car insurance companies.

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#1 – Erie: Top Overall Pick

Pros

• High Multi-Car Discounts: Erie offers a significant 28% discount for multiple cars. Learn more in our Erie car insurance review.
• Affordable Rates: Starting at just $42 monthly, Erie provides some of the most competitive rates.
• Flexible Payment Options: Erie accommodates different payment plans to ease budgeting.

Cons

• Regional Limitations: Erie’s coverage may not be available in all states.
• Fewer Online Tools: Compared to rivals, Erie has fewer digital resources for policy management.

#2 – The Hartford: Best for Personalized Service

Pros

• Personalized Customer Support: Known for excellent client service tailored to individual needs.
• Moderate Multi-Car Discounts: Offers a 14% discount on multi-car policies. Discover insights in our The Hartford car insurance discounts.
• Special Programs for Seniors: The Hartford offers unique benefits for older drivers.

Cons

• Higher Premiums for Young Drivers: Younger drivers may face significantly higher rates.
• Limited Availability: Services might not be accessible nationwide.

#3 – Allstate: Best for Extensive Coverage

Pros

• Wide Range of Coverage Options: Allstate provides extensive options including rare coverages.
• Smart Discounts: 11% discount for multi-car policies, with other smart savings available.
• Innovative Tools: Offers digital tools for claims and policy management. Discover more about offerings in our Allstate car insurance review.

Cons

• Costlier Premiums: Tends to have higher monthly rates starting at $52.
• Variable Customer Service: Service quality can vary significantly by location.

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#4 – Travelers: Best for Multi-Policy Discounts

Pros

• Strong Multi-Policy Discounts: Offers a solid 22% discount for bundling multiple policies.
• Variety of Discounts Available: Travelers have a range of discounts that can significantly lower premiums.
• Robust Coverage Options: Provides a wide selection of coverage plans. See more details on our Travelers car insurance review.

Cons

• Complex Policy Terms: Policies can be complex and hard to understand for some customers.
• Higher Rates Without Discounts: Base rates can be high without discounts, starting at $57.

#5 – State Farm: Best for Customized Coverage

Pros

• Bundling Policies: Offers significant discounts for bundling multiple insurance policies.
• High Low-Mileage Discount: Provides a substantial discount for low-mileage usage. Unlock details in our State Farm car insurance review.
• Wide Coverage: Offers various coverage options tailored to different business needs.

Cons

• Limited Multi-Policy Discount: The multi-policy discount is not as high compared to some competitors.
• Premium Costs: Despite discounts, premiums might still be relatively higher for certain coverage levels.

#6 – Progressive: Best for Competitive Rates

Pros

• Competitive Pricing: Progressive stands out with rates starting at $67, balancing cost and coverage.
• Loyalty Rewards: Offers progressive discounts for long-term customers. Delve into our evaluation of Progressive car insurance review.
• Customizable Plans: Allows users to tailor their policies extensively to fit specific needs.

Cons

• Inconsistent Customer Service: Service quality can vary, impacting customer satisfaction.
• Rate Fluctuations: Customers may experience rate increases at renewal times.

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#7 – Nationwide: Best for Specialized Policies

Pros

• Unique Coverage Options: Nationwide offers specialized policies that cater to diverse needs.
• Dedicated Agents: Provides personalized service through a network of knowledgeable agents. Check out insurance savings in our complete Nationwide car insurance discount.
• Discount for Safety Features: Encourages the use of safety features with insurance discounts.

Cons

• Limited Discounts: Multi-car discount is lower at 7%, impacting overall affordability.
• Premium Cost: Higher base rates start at $72, which can be a barrier for some customers.

#8 – Farmers: Best for Tailored Solutions

Pros

• Customized Policies: Farmers excel in creating insurance solutions tailored to individual requirements.
• Potential for Discounts: Offers various discounts that can lower premiums substantially.
• Effective Claims Process: Known for a quick and efficient claims resolution process. Learn more in our Farmers car insurance review.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: Despite discounts, Farmers tend to have higher starting rates at $77.
• Limited Multi-Car Discount: Offers a lower 9% discount for multi-car policies.

#9 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Comprehensive Plans

Pros

• Extensive Coverage Options: Liberty Mutual offers comprehensive plans that cover a wide range of scenarios.
• Accident Forgiveness: Includes features like accident forgiveness to prevent rate increases after a claim.
• Customizable Packages: Allows extensive customization of policies to meet diverse needs. Read up on the Liberty Mutual car insurance review for more information.

Cons

• Higher End of Pricing: With starting rates at $82, it’s one of the more expensive options.
• Complex Claims Process: Some users report a more complex claims process which can be time-consuming.

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#10 – MetLife: Best for Online Convenience

Pros

• Easy Online Management: MetLife provides a user-friendly online platform for managing policies.
• Global Coverage: Offers insurance coverage options that extend internationally. See more details on our MetLife car insurance discounts.
• Variety of Policy Options: MetLife has a wide range of policies that can be adjusted for specific needs.

Cons

• Higher Monthly Premiums: Starting at $87, MetLife’s rates are on the higher side.
• Limited Personal Interaction: With a focus on online services, there’s less scope for personalized service.

Monthly Premiums for Occasional Driver Insurance by Company

Occasional Driver Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level & Provider

Allstate, Erie, Farmers, Liberty Mutual, MetLife, Nationwide, Progressive, State Farm, The Hartford, and Travelers all provide tailored insurance solutions for occasional drivers. The rates vary significantly, highlighting the importance of comparing both types of coverage to find the best fit.

For minimum coverage, Erie offers the most affordable rate at $42, while MetLife presents the highest at $87. In terms of full coverage, Erie again comes in as one of the most cost-effective at $125, whereas Allstate has the highest rate at $135.

These differences underscore the need for occasional drivers to carefully assess their coverage needs against the premiums offered by different insurers.

Learn more: Compare Comprehensive Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements

What Is the Occasional Driver Insurance Definition

Does an occasional driver need insurance? One of the benefits of purchasing a car insurance policy as an occasional driver is that you’ll pay extremely low rates and you’ll still be covered if you get into an accident. However, you can avoid purchasing a car insurance policy altogether if you’re not a registered vehicle owner.

Occasional drivers can only be added to a car insurance policy with the consent of the policyholder. You may be asking, “What is a car insurance policyholder? This is a covered individual.

While most motorists tend to focus on how frequently they drive, car insurance companies want to know your car’s mileage. This link has information on car insurance mileage.

A policyholder could drive every single day and still be considered an occasional driver if they don’t travel many miles at a time. The criteria for occasional driving will vary with each car insurance company, but there are some general guidelines they all tend to follow. Generally, it involves the percentage of total miles put on the vehicle within a given time frame, i.e., a year.

Some common types of low-mileage drivers are people who work from home (also known as part-time car insurance policyholders), college students, mature or senior drivers, people who commute on public transportation, parents, caregivers, people who live in a suburb, and people who share their cars with others.

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Is Occasional Driver Car Insurance Cheaper

If you drive less, your auto insurance rates won’t be cheaper. In fact, you might be overpaying for car insurance if you don’t drive often or too far. Every person who drives a car needs to have auto insurance coverage. Some drivers may include their family members in their policy if they drive those vehicles.

However, if the driver has a poor driving record with numerous reckless driving incidents, this person can significantly raise your auto insurance costs. If the person is a low-risk driver with few or no tickets, the additional driver won’t raise the costs so much.

According to CNNMoney, car insurance companies categorize drivers in several different ways, sometimes requiring that a person put fewer than 50 percent of the total number of miles accumulated on the primary vehicle each year to be considered an occasional driver.

Other insurers stipulate that occasional drivers must operate any of the vehicles listed on the policy less than 25 percent of the time.

When it comes to car insurance for low-mileage drivers (occasional drivers), most insurance companies will offer discount options. Car insurers assume that drivers who spend less time on the road are less likely to be in an at-fault accident.

The State of California Department of Insurance’s information on car insurance also states that occasional drivers may have different levels of protection than the primary drivers on car insurance policies. This indicates that motorists listed as occasional drivers may have a harder time getting their insurance claims accepted and paid if they break the terms of their policy.

According to NOLO.com, liability insurance will cover the other driver’s medical expenses and property damage should someone borrow your car and get into an accident.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) would help pay the medical expenses of anyone in your vehicle no matter who is at fault. Personal Injury Protection (PIP), unlike MedPay, is required in some states and helps with medical bills and other pesky expenditures.

It’s important to adhere to what is stated in your policy. A deviation may result in a premium hike, just as the poor driving record of an occasional driver can result in a premium hike. Discuss the policy terms for an occasional driver with your insurance agent when signing up.

The most influential factor in terms of premium price setting is a person’s driving record. Let’s take a look at a table showing average rates for different records.

Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record & Provider

A blemish on one’s record, particularly a DUI, can be catastrophic for premium rates.

Requirements for Car Insurance for Occasional Drivers

Do you need car insurance for a learner’s permit? If you’re added to a car insurance policy, you’re required to have either a valid license or car insurance for a learner’s permit. Not all insurers permit occasional drivers to be covered at all. Because insurance companies can create and enforce coverage criteria and policies at their own discretion, you’ll find that the rules for occasional drivers can be fairly inconsistent.

Although there are car insurance providers that issue blanket policies covering licensed drivers aged 25 and above, you should still check to be certain. A quick call to your insurance company can confirm this, so make sure to verify by asking about what is not covered under a car insurance policy.

Read more:

• Compare Car Insurance for Part-Time Drivers: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements
• Compare Car Insurance Rates for New Drivers
• Do you have to buy car insurance if you only drive occasionally?

Can You Get a Discount on Rates for Occasional Driver’s Car Insurance

Receiving a discount on car insurance rates for being an occasional driver is possible, but several factors must be considered. Being an occasional driver on a car insurance policy is not the same as qualifying for an occasional driver discount. The main difference is that motorists deemed occasional drivers cannot simultaneously be active policyholders.

Occasional driving discounts are given to policyholders who do not drive their cars more than the predetermined number of miles chosen by the insurance provider.

These types of car insurance discounts are popular with senior citizens, college students, and motorists who work less than 20 miles from their homes (For more information, read our Compare Medical Student Car Insurance Rates“). You may need to record the number of miles on your speedometer periodically and report when you change employers to your car insurance provider in order to retain your occasional driving discount.

Let’s take a look at a table that shows occasional use discounts as well as other comparable discounts. The comparable discounts could come into play should you be a policyholder yourself and unable to take advantage of the occasional use discount. These could be a suitable replacement for an occasional driver insurance discount if you’re not eligible for one with your provider.

Car Insurance Discounts for Occasional Drivers by Provider & Savings Percentage

As you can see, only one company offers an occasional use discount to policyholders. The low mileage discount, however, is more prevalent. If you’re a senior driver who occasionally uses a vehicle, the senior discount may very well be worth looking into.

Often it comes down to the aforementioned commute distance. Insurers operate via perceived risk and alter premiums accordingly. Let’s take a look at a table showing the rates from various insurers for different commute distances.

Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Commute & Provider

As you can see, commute factors heavily in rate determination. Another factor is the age of the driver, be they occasional or not. If your car insurance company permits it, anyone who is of legal driving age and licensed can be classified as an occasional driver.

Teenagers, in particular, are going to be paying substantially more for car insurance. Again, this is due to insurers operating by perceived risk. Most people begin driving at 16 or 17, and at this point have not had a chance to prove themselves safe drivers/unsafe drivers. Let’s take a look at a table comparing average rates for 17-year-olds and 25-year-olds.

Read more: Compare 17-Year-Old Driver Car Insurance Rates

Car Insurance Monthly Rates for Young Drivers by Age, Gender, & Provider

As you can see, the difference between what teens pay and what those in their mid-20s pay is staggering. In fact, teens can sometimes pay nearly five times as much as 25-year-olds. These teen drivers, who are just learning, are frequently occasional drivers. These are drivers who would be covered under another person’s plan, usually their parents.

Now that you know about auto insurance for occasional drivers, enter your ZIP code into the free comparison tool below to find affordable occasional driver car insurance.

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