Car insurance provides safety and confidence on the road in any situation. In most states, drivers are required by law to have at least the minimum mandatory coverage. According to statistics, in 2022, there were approximately 215 million insured drivers in the USA. However, 3.2 million vehicle owners, or one in every eight, do not have car insurance.
According to CNBC Select’s research, car insurance rates are expected to increase by an average of 8.4% by the end of 2023. Consequently, the average premiums for auto coverage could reach $1,780 per year in 2024.
Source: Insurify
Due to rising prices, many car owners who still need to get a policy or want to reduce the cost of one are wondering if there is a very cheap car insurance no deposit near me.
Looking through ads from insurers in your city or state, you may see offers for a no down payment policy, which allows you to save a decent amount of money. What is car insurance without a deposit, and how can you take advantage of this service? Read about it in our article.
No-Deposit Car Insurance: What Is It and How Does It Work
Typically, insurance companies require their customers to pay a deposit for the first month along with their monthly premiums. Therefore, to obtain an auto insurance policy, you must spend much more upfront than in the subsequent months. The deposit is a percentage of the total insurance cost and is necessary for companies to protect themselves in case of unforeseen circumstances. For example, when the policyholder fails to pay the monthly installment or severs ties with the insurance agency.
Usually, the car insurance deposit is determined based on factors such as:
- Car make and model
- Driver’s experience/driver history
- Credit rating
- Age
- Location
- Driver’s gender, etc.
Not everyone can afford to pay the initial installment and deposit, so some companies offer more affordable insurance options.
“No deposit insurance car” is a commonly used term that implies an offer with a lower upfront payment for the first month or the same as the subsequent months. This way, you get a policy without a prepayment (deposit), allowing you to save a substantial amount in the first month.
Please note that car owners who have signed up for no-deposit insurance will be required to make monthly contributions. In this case, you won’t be able to save or get an additional discount for paying the full annual/half-year premium in one lump sum. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent option for those on a limited budget but in need of car insurance right now.
Very Cheap Car Insurance with No Deposit: Review of the Best Companies
According to data from WalletHub, there are over 5,000 insurance companies registered in the United States. It’s important to note that not all of them offer the service of no-deposit vehicle insurance. Furthermore, this option is not available in all states. You can purchase very cheap car insurance with no deposit in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Georgia
- Florida
- New York
- Washington
- Oklahoma
You can also find cost-effective insurance options in states such as Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, and Texas, but they may require a mandatory deposit to activate the purchased policy.
There are many companies on the market that offer no down payment auto insurance. We have selected for you three of the most well-known and proven representatives with a positive reputation among motorists.
Title | Deposit Amount | First Month’s Payment | Subsequent Monthly Payments | Six-Month Total Amount |
Progressive | $0 | $29 | $74 | $400 |
Geico | $1 | $61 | $62 | $369 |
State Farm | $0 | $99 | $99 | $596 |
In addition, there are a number of other companies that also offer zero down car insurance:
- American Family
- Allstate
- Farmers
- Liberty Mutual
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- USAA
When choosing the most suitable company, it will be useful to explore all the discount options it can offer you. Often, such special offers will reduce the total amount of your insurance. Thus, you can obtain a regular policy at a favorable price or reduce your insurance down payments.
Our research showed that, on average, insurance companies offer their customers between 14-15 different types of discounts. We studied nine popular companies and found the following number of special offers.
Farmers | American Family | Geico | Travelers | Liberty Mutual | Progressive | Allstate | Nationwide | State Farm |
23 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
Let’s take a closer look at who and for what can use discounts to get cheap deposit car insurance. Here are some advantageous offers that insurance providers offer in practically all states.
Safe Driver | Available for customers with a clean driving record or an extensive accident-free driving experience. |
Student Discount | Accessible to high school seniors and college students who maintain a minimum B-grade level. |
Safe Driving | Insurance agents may reduce policy premiums for policyholders who have completed a safe driving course. |
Education Discount | Policyholders can save on premiums by taking a basic driver education course with the insurance company. |
New Car Discount | Offered to owners looking to insure a newer car model. |
Bulk Insurance | The company may provide a substantial discount for customers insuring multiple vehicles under a single policy. |
Combined Policy | A discount is available for policyholders who bundle their auto insurance with other policies (renters, homeowners, and more). |
Who Can Get No-Deposit Car Insurance?
Statistics from JD Power show that as of June 2023, about 45% of insurance consumers said their rates have increased. Thus, low down payment car insurance is becoming more and more in demand for new customers, especially those with limited budgets.
A no-deposit policyis suitable for those who have no money down auto insurance with full coverage and deposit the entire cost for a year, six months, or a quarter into the insurance company’s account at once.
Drivers must meet the insurance company’s requirements to obtain a favorable car insurance option. To do this, you need to provide the following information:
- Make, model, and registration date of the vehicle you want to insure.
- Your gender, age, and residential address.
- Family composition if your car is used by other members of your household.
- Driving history.
- Credit rating.
- The primary purpose of using the vehicle.
Based on this information, the insurance company decides whether to offer you a no-deposit policy. Therefore, obtaining instant car insurance with no deposit can be challenging. An agent needs to verify the information and, in some cases, request additional documentation. For example, if the company has concerns about your financial ability due to a low or average credit rating.
Please note that the information provided to the insurance company is also necessary to determine the individual insurance down payment.
How to Avoid Pitfalls When Choosing No Down Payment Car Insurance
It’s essential to know that in the auto insurance industry, the concept of “no down payment car insurance” is rarely used by prestigious and popular insurance companies. Often, unscrupulous companies or scammers use this term to attract more people. Remember that you cannot obtain car insurance without an upfront payment for the first month.
To avoid falling into a trap when you see an enticing offer like “very cheap car insurance with no deposit minimum,” follow these recommendations:
- Carefully examine the insurance provider’s offer.
- Look for online reviews about the company/insurance agent.
- Clarify all the policy details, including the car insurance down payment amount, subsequent payments, and any additional offers.
When searching for a cost-effective car insurance option with no down payment, inquire how much you need to pay to activate the policy. If you receive a response like “car insurance first month free no deposit,” it’s likely that you are dealing with scammers. This deception is used to obtain your personal information. Professional agencies will never provide insurance without any initial payment for the first month of using the car insurance policy.
Attractive no down payment car insurance offers that promise to activate the policy before you even pay for it can also be placed by unscrupulous companies. Chances are, you will never get the promised coverage when you pay the money.
Why Do Car Insurance Companies Require a Down Payment?
A deposit on an auto insurance policy is equivalent to an insurance payment that companies require for reinsurance. It confirms your ability to pay and ensures that you can continue to pay regular monthly, annual, or quarterly premiums.
The concept of “insurance with no deposit” is quite debatable because it still implies the mandatory payment for the first month of the policy. Often, this term is used in advertising or marketing campaigns to grab attention. So, if you want to save on your budget, carefully scrutinize the offers from insurance agencies for auto insurance with no down payment.
FAQ
Can you get car insurance with no deposit?
No, obtaining auto insurance with no down payment is not possible. All reputable companies require an upfront payment before activating your policy. Therefore, no-deposit vehicle insurance implies the full payment of the insurance premium for the first month without any additional charges. This helps reduce expenses for drivers on a limited budget.
Also, if you want to save money, you can take advantage of offers like “very cheap car insurance no deposit full coverage” from trusted companies, such as State Farm, Progressive, or Geico.
How do I get insurance with no money down?
Reputable insurance companies and agents provide insurance policies only after the payment for the first month of coverage. However, some offer options like “cheap van insurance no deposit” with the condition that you pay for the first month. To do this, determine your budget, compare quotes from different companies, and prepare the necessary documents for enrollment.
Why do I have to pay down payment for car insurance?
The insurance company requires the down payment for the first month to ensure your ability to make payments. It also helps protect the agency from unpleasant situations in case you, for any reason, fail to make the next payment.
Additionally, the insurance down payment serves as a verification tool to ensure that the payment for the policy from your credit or debit card to the insurance company’s account goes smoothly.
Victoria is a Senior Content Writer at American REIA. She helps customers find the right educational material through easily-digestible blog posts and buying guides backing their insurance coverage choice. Victoria covers the latest industry news and various insurance topics, including auto, home, health, and life insurance.