Buy Now Pay Later Car Insurance

For many people, securing affordable car insurance coverage is an expense they find challenging. Thankfully, options available can reduce the initial cost of covering a vehicle, like buy now pay later car insurance. This allows consumers short on cash to get their vehicle legally insured while delaying paying the premium.

This type of policy can help those strapped for cash but still need to get coverage right away. Pay later car insurance is a “lifesaver” for those that would not be able to get auto insurance if a large deposit is required.

Many people cannot afford a significant auto insurance deposit, with inflation affecting nearly everyone. For many drivers, premiums for full coverage have risen to over $2,000 a year. With a buy now pay later car insurance policy, you can get legally insured with the lowest out-of-pocket costs possible. Enter your zip code and fill out a free online application to compare plans and rates.

Buy Now Pay Later Auto Insurance Policy Costs  

While it might seem cheaper to get auto insurance with nothing down, it’s not. Carriers view customers who do not have enough money for a down payment as riskier than those who pay the entire premium in full upfront. For this reason, these types of policies are more expensive. 

Some people will even use insurers by purchasing a car insurance policy with zero down, only to cancel it when the payment is due. This is why these policies typically cost 10% or more than those for which the premium is paid upfront. 

These policies are designed to help qualified drivers get legally covered with the smallest down payment. However, not everyone has $1,000 or more to pay for a year of coverage or even $300 for a deposit. For those tight on cash, it’s well worth paying a little more over the length of the policy by securing coverage without any initial out-of-pocket expense.

Most Providers Require Down Payments

From the auto insurance carrier’s perspective, a person who doesn’t want to or cannot afford to make a down payment poses a higher risk. Some people use no down policies to register a car to comply with dealership rules, only to cancel the coverage soon after. Others low on money might make one or two premium payments and then stop paying on the policy altogether.

Insurance companies want long-term customers who are at low risk. Their business model is to mitigate or reduce risk as much as possible. The lower your threat to an insurer, the less you will pay for coverage.

One way carriers reduce risk is by requiring a down payment before the policy takes effect. Down payments offset the large onboarding-related costs related to acquiring a new customer. These include advertising costs and administrative fees, like checking a person’s DMV driving record. When a person buys zero-down auto insurance, the insurer has to absorb these costs. They make up for it later on if the policy is not canceled in the way of higher premiums.

Not all Insurers Offer Pay Later Car Insurance  

The good news is that several insurers have first-month free auto insurance plans. The bad news is that not many carriers offer these policies, and it can be hard to qualify. 

Some providers like Progressive, Erie, USAA, and Auto-Owners Insurance have low and no down payment policies for select drivers.  

This postpones the down payment amount into the second month of coverage. This makes it seem like you’re getting the initial month of insurance for free, but you still pay for it later by making monthly installments.

Insurers that Offer Buy Now Pay Later Car Insurance

Several national and local carriers sell “no down” policies. Like Esurance and Progressive Insurance, some allow you to buy coverage direct, saving time and energy. Many companies like State Farm offer a range in all 50 states. To start comparing quotes, enter your zip code.

• State Farm
• USAA
• Erie
• Allstate
• Kemper
• Farmers
• Safe Auto
• Progressive
• Geico
• Nationwide

Auto Insurers that offer the Cheapest Down Payments

Even if you don’t qualify for zero-down coverage, options are still available. One is to find out what companies have the cheapest down payments. Several carriers have very cheap car insurance from $20 down. This includes:

• Progressive
• 21st Century
• Geico
• AAA
• Esurance
• Mercury

Some companies have better rates for certain types of drivers. For example, young motorists in their 20s with a clean driving record can get basic coverage with Progressive for under $700 per year. 

Companies like Esurance and 21st Century have some of the lowest rates for retired drivers. If you can get a cheaper policy with a down payment under $50 or less, you can probably save more than focusing exclusively on a policy with $0 down.

States that Allow Buy Now Pay Later Car Insurance Policies

Not every state allows insurers to sell zero-down policies. There are several that do have these offers. They include:

• California
• Washington
• Oklahoma
• Georgia
• Florida
• Arizona
• New York

California has the most automobiles than any other state. More car insurance companies in California offer no-down-auto-insurance. This includes direct providers like 21st Century and Progressive, which allow consumers to buy their policy online, even on a smartphone. To check rates, enter your zip code to get started.

Installment Options for Buy Now Pay Later Car Insurance

There are more payment options for auto insurance than ever before. These include paying the premium of three months, six months, or twelve months in full or opting for installment payments. Many consumers can’t afford the full premium cost and opt for flexible monthly payments. 

There are also numerous payment choices. This includes:

• Automatic Bank Withdrawal
• Credit or Debit Card
• Check or Money Order
• Paypal

Most people choose automatic monthly payments, an easy and convenient way to pay their insurance bills.

Tips on Getting the Cheapest Car Insurance Possible

• Drive Safely and Maintain a Clean Driving Record
• Keep Your Credit Score above 700 to get the Lowest Rates
• Drive less, under 800 Miles per Month, and Save Hundreds per year.
• Get a Higher Deductible and Save 10% or more.
• Sign up for a Telematic Program that can save you 15% and more.
• Get all the Discounts you can
• Compare Multiple Car Insurance Rates Online

Your Credit Score Plays a Big Role in Qualifying for Zero Down Auto Insurance

Credit scores are a key metric in assessing a person’s risk. The higher your score is, the less you will pay for auto insurance coverage. You will also qualify for deals like nothing down car insurance.

If you have a credit score below 650, you could be considered a higher-risk driver and end up paying a lot higher premium. If you have a low score, work on getting it up, and watch your car insurance rates go down.

Get All the Discounts You Can to Save Even More

One easy way to save on car insurance is to get every discount you qualify for. Some insurers will automatically add them to your coverage. For some deals, you must provide proof, like an active military member. Here are some of the most common ones.

• Safe Driver Discount
• Bundling Home and Auto Insurance Together Discount
• Multi-Vehicle Discount
• Good Student Discount (have a 3.0 GPA or higher) 
• Policy Payment in Full Discount
• Telematic or usage-based Discounts
• Safety and Security System Discounts
• Senior Citizen Discount
• Military and Veteran Discount

Search For Buy Now Pay Later Car Insurance Online 

One of the best ways to find pay later auto insurance deals is to shop online. This saves both time and money. Some of the best deals are often found through direct insurers that sell most of their policies online. If you need cheap car insurance under $100 due to limited finances, you should compare at least five quotes, preferably ten or more.

You might get 2 or 3 quotes that require no down payment, but the rates will likely vary quite a bit. For example, Young America Insurance has excellent rates for buy now pay later car insurance coverage and low monthly installment payments. 

See how easy it is to get cheap car insurance and pay for it later. Start your search for buy now pay later car insurance deals by entering your zip code.