Before I began a job that entailed tons of travel, I had really never heard of anything like a short term car insurance policy. I just imagined that everybody was like me, with a long-term policy covering a couple of cars for liability and damages, and that was that.

It turns out that there is a significant market for short term car insurance. Here are two cases that help illustrate when and how it’s important to look at a short term car insurance policy.

First, if you drive so infrequently that you don’t have a car, or your car is permanently garaged and you’re not paying insurance premiums for injury or liability coverage, then you need to establish a cheap temporary car insurance policy before you borrow or rent a car from someone else. It will provide cover for any damages, liability, and/or personal injury expenses that accrue in case you’re involved in an accident while you’re driving the borrowed or rented car.

If you do drive often enough to have a long term auto insurance policy of your own already in place, and you’re going to be driving someone else’s car, you may or may not already have liability and personal injury coverage protection in place to cover you while you’re driving the loaner. Your car insurance plan’s rental policy should be spelled out explicitly in your paperwork. They’re often written in legal language, so if you need an expert’s help, you can consult an attorney. You might also just call your insurance agent and ask if you’re covered with a temporary insurance policy clause. If not, you can likely add one to your policy on the spot.

It might not be at the top of your “to-d” list, but it should definitely make your list somewhere. You don’t want to be involved in an accident without insurance!