If you find yourself in this situation, you may require temporary car insurance.

However, you cannot simply call a well-known insurance company and purchase coverage for a few days or weeks. Most major carriers will not sell policies for less than six months.

Here are a few other options for meeting your short-term car insurance needs.

Rely on the vehicle owner’s coverage

You may not need your own insurance to drive someone else's car as long as the owner has coverage and gives you permission to drive.

According to Madelyn Flannagan, vice president of agent development, education, and research at Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, auto insurance generally follows the vehicle, not the driver. So, if you get into an accident while driving a friend's car, the damage will most likely be covered by your friend's insurance.

In some states, there may be exceptions to this rule, so ask the vehicle owner to check with their insurer or agent ahead of time to ensure you'll be covered.

Have the owner add you to their policy

Insurance companies may prefer that you be listed as an additional driver on their policy if you will be driving someone else's car for an extended period of time. In fact, if a carrier discovers that someone has not reported all drivers who use the vehicle on a regular basis, it may deny coverage or even cancel the policy for fraud.

Remember that adding a driver may have an impact on the vehicle owner's rates, either positively or negatively.

"Assume I added you to my policy for a week and you have a bad driving record," Flannagan says. "That could end up costing me a lot of money."

College students who drive only during school breaks should be listed on their parents' car insurance policy all year. In order to reduce costs, inquire about discounts for policyholders whose children are attending college. There may also be good student discounts available.

Get a standard auto policy

Purchasing a six-month policy does not obligate you to keep it for the entire six months. According to Flannagan, most insurers allow you to pay your premiums on a monthly basis, making it simple to pay for a month or two and then cancel when you no longer require the coverage.

If you pay the entire premium in advance, you should receive a prorated refund for the unused policy term. Some businesses may also levy cancellation fees.

Buy non-owner car insurance

Non-owner car insurance may be a good option if you don't own a car but occasionally borrow someone else's. If you cause an accident, this type of insurance usually covers medical bills and repair costs for others. Depending on where you live, you may be able to supplement the policy with additional types of coverage.

Not sure if non-owner insurance is a good investment? Compare the cost of the coverage to how frequently you drive other people's cars. If you only drive once or twice a year, you may be better off relying on the vehicle owner's insurance. Just make sure you're happy with the amount of coverage they provide.

Buy rental car insurance

If you require temporary insurance while renting a car, you have several options:

Purchase the rental car company's insurance. Most agencies sell a collision damage waiver, which releases you from financial responsibility if the car is stolen or damaged during the rental period.

Make use of your credit card. Many credit cards provide rental car coverage, but it's a good idea to check with the issuer ahead of time to make sure you understand what is and isn't covered.

Purchase a stand-alone policy. Companies such as Bonzah and Allianz Global Assistance sell standalone policies for rental cars that may be less expensive than the offerings of the rental agency.

Speak with an agent

Still unsure about which temporary auto insurance option is best for you? Contact an independent insurance agent to discuss your situation. They can provide advice tailored to your state's laws and coverage options.