No-money-down car insurance enables monthly payments but doesn't mean zero upfront costs. You must pay at least the first month's installment—sometimes as low as $20. Insurance companies offer payment options: annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly. While monthly premiums facilitate affordability, be cautious of misleading "no-money-down" ads; you'll need to make the initial payment for policy activation, which dispels the notion of entirely cost-free coverage.