Weekend-only car insurance

Many Canadians seek out weekend-only car insurance to fit their short-term travel needs. Whether you're test-driving a private seller's vehicle, using a borrowed car to run errands, or renting a vehicle for a weekend road trip, this type of car insurance offers flexibility and temporary coverage that will ensure you're protected behind the wheel without committing to an annual insurance policy.

While there's no such thing as actual weekend-only car insurance coverage in Canada due to differences in provincial regulations, there are several options you can consider.

Why do people need weekend insurance?

There are numerous reasons why someone would seek to purchase weekend car insurance, including:

Test driving a new car

Are you a young driver looking to purchase your first vehicle? Before test-driving a car, you'll need to ensure you have a valid auto insurance policy in place before getting behind the wheel.

Going on a weekend road trip

If you're looking to head out on a weekend break out of town but don't own a car, you might be looking at renting a vehicle. Most rental companies offer short-term rental car insurance that will cover you while you're away.

Borrowing a friend's car to run errands

If you need to borrow a friend's car to run errands, short-term coverage can help you get your task list completed and have peace of mind while doing so.

Going on a business trip

If you travel frequently for work, weekend car insurance may be needed if you are unable to use your personal vehicle while out of town.

What is weekend-only car insurance?

Weekend car insurance, also referred to as temporary car insurance or short-term car insurance, is a unique type of car insurance in that it only covers the policyholder for a short time. Unlike traditional car insurance policies that cover drivers for 12 months, weekend car insurance is designed to provide coverage for a few days, a week, or a couple of months.

Weekend car insurance coverage is not much different than standard car insurance, as it must comply with the mandatory coverage requirements in your province. The main difference is that weekend or temporary car insurance is on a flexible, “pay per use” basis, providing more convenience to infrequent drivers.

It's important to note that depending on which Canadian province you live in, you may not be able to purchase temporary car insurance policies. For example, in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Alberta, drivers can't purchase weekend-only car insurance. Most insurers in these provinces will only offer a 12-month policy.

Alternatives to weekend-only car insurance coverage

If you live in a province that restricts temporary auto insurance policies, there are alternatives you can consider, including the following:

Usage-based auto insurance

Pay-as-you-go, also known as telematics, is a great alternative to weekend motor insurance. Programs like MyPace from the Canadian Automobile Association track your mileage and adjust your insurance premiums based on how much you drive in the year. This can be a great choice for occasional drivers who travel fewer than 9,000 kilometres in a year.

Note that to qualify for this program, you'll need to have an existing policy in place. Once you are signed up with MyPace, your auto insurance costs will lower, provided that you keep your mileage low. You can learn more about how to calculate mileage by contacting BrokerLink!

Short-term rental car insurance policy

If you only need a car for one weekend, consider renting a car instead. Many rental car companies offer short-term car insurance for rental vehicles, making it easy to not only have access to a car for a short time but also be insured while you are driving. Although renting a car may be a more expensive option, it is convenient and guarantees coverage during your rental period.

Get added to a friend or family member's car insurance pan

If you are borrowing a friend or family member’s car for the weekend, and that is why you want weekend-only car insurance, consider asking if they would add you to their existing auto insurance policy as a temporary driver.

Depending on your driving history and record, adding a friend to your policy could increase their premium. Regardless, it could provide a temporary solution to your problem, and you could offer to pay the difference.

Keep in mind that if you choose to borrow a friend's car or your parents' car and they fail to notify their insurance provider, they can invalidate their insurance and cancel their policy.

Purchase auto insurance and cancel early

If you are unable to purchase temporary car insurance in your province, you still have the option of buying a full year's worth of coverage from your insurance provider. Technically, you can cancel your annual policy. But most insurance companies will charge you cancellation fees.

Another thing to note is that consistently buying auto insurance and cancelling it shortly after can lead to consequences such as an insurance provider increasing your car insurance rates after your cancelled policy and the inability to find coverage at all.

Obtain a special permit

In some provinces, you may be able to apply for a temporary vehicle registration permit that provides temporary insurance for up to ten days. Note that these temporary policies are usually only available to those with unregistered vehicles or newly imported cars.

How to get short-term weekend car insurance from insurance companies

If you need weekend car insurance or temporary car insurance, you'll need to do the following:

1. Contact an insurance agent or insurance broker

Once you've confirmed that your province allows temporary car insurance, you'll need to contact your insurance company directly or work with an insurance broker. Note that working with an insurance broker can help you compare coverage options, unlock discounts, and secure the best prices for weekend insurance available.

2. Get your documents ready

At your appointment, you'll need to present the agent or broker with documents like your vehicle registration number, driver's license, license plate number of the vehicle you want to insure, and any previous insurance documents you may have had out for the car.

3. Choose your car insurance policies

Now is when you'll be able to choose the type of car coverage you want. Depending on the province you live in, you'll need to ensure that you meet the minimum coverage requirements. Beyond this, you'll also have the option of purchasing additional coverages like collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, and accident forgiveness for added protection.

4. Review the terms and conditions

Once your agent or broker finalizes your temporary car insurance coverage, make sure to review the terms and conditions of the policy and confirm you understand when your policy ends, as driving without insurance is illegal.

The cost of weekend-only or temporary car insurance

Like all types of car insurance, the cost of weekend car insurance will vary between provinces, insurance companies, and coverage types. Remember, when deciding on whether to purchase an annual policy or a weekend car insurance plan, comparing costs is recommended:

Short-term insurance costs

On average, short-term policies range from $50 to $150 per day. This rate reflects costs like administration fees, coverage options, and limits.

Full-year policy costs

In contrast, a standard annual car insurance policy in Canada can range anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per year, or higher. When broken down monthly, you'll typically pay less for month-to-month car insurance if you are planning on using your vehicle long-term.

Factors influencing car insurance rates in Canada

Auto insurance premiums increased nearly 6% from December 2022 to December 2023 for all Canadians. So, whether you purchase temporary car insurance or not, several factors will influence your insurance rates, including:

Driving record

Your driving record is a key factor insurance companies use to assess your risk. They will ask for a copy of your driving record and will evaluate it to decide how risky an investment you are. If your record is full of infractions, tickets, and accidents, you will likely be deemed a higher risk and will have to pay more for insurance.

However, if your driving record is spotless, you may benefit from lower premiums. Overall, the cleaner your driving record, the less you will pay for car insurance.

Driving habits

Driving habits like where you travel and how often you're on the road can also impact your risk levels. For example, the longer you are behind the wheel, the more likely you are to be involved in a car accident.

Because vehicle repair costs have increased by 18% over the last three years, insurance providers need to offset inflation rates by increasing insurance premiums, as indicated by the National Association of Career Colleges.

Crime rates

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, in 2023, the cost of vehicle theft insurance claims rose to $1.5 billion, which is 254% since 2018. Therefore, if you live in an area with high crime rates, you may pay more for your car insurance than those living in rural areas.

Make and model of vehicle

Luxury vehicles and sports cars are more likely to be stolen and have higher repair costs, which can also impact your rates. Beyond value, an insurer will also consider the safety rating and theft rate of your vehicle. Cars with higher safety ratings may be less likely to be severely damaged in an accident and may therefore benefit from lower insurance rates.

Age and gender

Gender is another factor that insurance companies may consider when calculating your car insurance premium. This is because studies show that one gender of drivers is riskier than the other.

Specifically, according to data from Statistics Canada, men are statistically more likely to get into an accident than women, which is why auto insurance premiums for male drivers may be higher than those for female drivers.

Contact BrokerLink for affordable temporary car insurance

BrokerLink is a full-service insurance brokerage that can help you find a wide range of insurance solutions that we can tailor to your needs and budget. If you're looking to save on car insurance, our team of brokers has access to numerous policies from some of Canada's top providers, allowing them to shop on your behalf, compare quotes, and unlock discounts to save on your premiums.

To work with BrokerLink and explore your options, give us a call over the phone or send us an email! You can also get a free quote using our online quote tool!

Get an auto insurance quote [phone]

FAQs on weekend only car insurance

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.