Very cheap car insurance with no down payment/no deposit

You may find insurance companies offering “very cheap car insurance with no down payment or deposit required” and it can be misleading. Most reputable insurance companies won't write car insurance policies without some money down because the risk is too high for them.

What insurers often mean by stating “no deposit required” or “zero down payment” is they’ll waive the down payment or deposit, but your policy still won’t go into effect until you’ve made your first month’s payment.

Don’t worry—you still have options for cheap car insurance coverage. Even if you don’t have the cash on hand for a large deposit, we can work together to find a solution.

Let’s review some misconceptions around no-deposit-required car insurance, and explore other options that could work for you.

Do your research. Do your research by getting quotes from several insurance companies, contacting them directly to discuss your options. As you compare prospective insurance providers, consider the following:

• Does the insurance company seem legitimate? Unfortunately, the internet makes it difficult to distinguish between insurance scams and reputable providers. Visit the providers' websites, read customer testimonials, and contact them directly. And be sure to communicate with a licensed agent throughout the process.

• How helpful is the customer support team? If you're going to trust an insurance company to protect you following an accident, you need to feel confident in their ability to quickly and effectively assist you. If you have a hard time reaching their customer service department or getting satisfactory answers to your questions, it's probably best to move on to other candidates.

• What would my monthly payments be? If you aren't in a financial position where you can pay your premium in a lump sum, you're probably looking at monthly payment installments. These payments—along with various fees and charges—will vary by provider. And remember, any money you put toward a deposit or down payment will help reduce your monthly payments.

• When would my first monthly payment be due? This also varies by provider. In some cases, you may not need to submit your first payment for a month or more. This buffer period can help you organize your finances so you're prepared to start making payments. Most companies will provide you with a payment schedule so you know what to expect.

Because reputable insurance providers don't sell auto insurance without some form of initial payment—whether that's a down payment or your first month's payment—you need to understand your other options.

Your down payment demonstrates to your insurer that you've got real financial stakes in maintaining your coverage. And the most immediate benefit of making a down payment is reducing your subsequent monthly payments.

Car insurance companies vary in what they require for down payments—sometimes as little as 6 percent of your total premium, and up to the entire term premium.

If you decide to make a down payment on your auto insurance, you can choose from a number of formats—you may have options like cash in-person, with a credit or debit card, with an electronic check (e-check), or other options your insurance provider offers.

Depending on your circumstances, buying insurance with an SR-22 may be required to get you out on the road. There's a lot to know about SR-22 policies, including who needs them and how long they last. So we built our SR-22 Learning Center to help you find the information you need quickly.

You can play an active role in determining your car insurance rates—and we can help. We outline how you can get cheaper car insurance rates, and we also offer a range of auto insurance discounts, including:

• Multi-car discount

• Advanced quote discount

• Defensive driving discount

Keep in mind that available discounts can vary by state, so give us a call to discuss your options.

Keep in mind that some common phrases don't actually mean what they appear to mean. Some insurers use ambiguity to make their payment plans sound more innovative or forgiving than they actually are. To help you avoid insurance scams and other risks, be aware of these coverage options:

• Buy now, pay later: This is another way of referring to monthly payments—you'll still need to put some money down to secure your policy. Most insurers will give you a few weeks to make your first monthly payment.

• First-month-free car insurance: This is another case where having 30-45 days to make your first month's payment can be misleading. While this payment structure means you could go more than a month before your first payment is due, your first month isn't actually free—you still need to pay for it.

• Instant auto insurance with no down payment: "Instant" is the issue here—your policy likely won't take effect, instantly or otherwise, unless you put some money down to secure the policy.

We get it—finding the right car insurance coverages can be complex. But it doesn't need to be. Check out our answers to frequently asked insurance questions to assist in your research.

Each state establishes its own minimum coverage requirements for auto insurance. Discover your required coverage limits and use that information to secure a quote today or you can call 888-344-4357 and a friendly Dairyland representative can help answer your questions.