Glad you're okay—that sounds intense. Curious though, did you compare temporary coverage to just adding yourself temporarily onto your cousin's existing policy? Wondering if that's cheaper or easier...haven't tried it myself yet.
I've actually done both—temporary coverage and hopping onto someone else's policy for a short trip. From my experience, adding yourself temporarily to an existing policy usually ends up cheaper and simpler. Here's how it worked for me: I called my friend's insurance company directly, gave them my details, and they quoted a pretty reasonable rate for the week I needed. Took maybe 15 minutes total.
Temporary standalone coverage, on the other hand, involved filling out forms online, verifying info, and the cost was noticeably higher—probably because it's a separate short-term policy rather than just an addition to an existing one. Plus, if something happens, dealing with one insurer (your cousin's) is usually smoother than juggling two separate companies.
Of course, your mileage may vary depending on the insurer and state regulations...but I'd definitely recommend checking with your cousin's provider first before going the temporary route.
I had a similar experience last summer when I borrowed my sister's car for a weekend trip. Her insurance company made it super easy—I just called them up, gave them my license info, and they added me temporarily for a small fee. Took maybe 10-15 mins tops. I briefly looked into standalone coverage too, but the quotes were way pricier and the whole process felt unnecessarily complicated...so yeah, I'd lean toward adding onto an existing policy if possible.
Yeah, adding onto an existing policy is usually the smarter move. Standalone temporary coverage can be a real headache—I've seen plenty of claims where people went that route and regretted it later. The paperwork alone can make you question your life choices, not to mention the higher premiums. Sounds like you made the right call; sometimes simpler really is better. Glad it worked out smoothly for you.
You're right about the paperwork—it's brutal. But honestly, temporary insurance isn't always a waste. I'm considered high-risk, and there've been times when short-term coverage actually made sense for me financially. Sure, premiums are steep, but compared to the astronomical cost of adding me to a family policy permanently, it occasionally saved my wallet. It's situational; if you're low-risk and already insured, definitely stick with your existing policy. But if you're stuck in insurance limbo like me, temporary coverage can be a necessary evil...