Cost of Auto Insurance for Non-Owners

Non-owner auto insurance policies tend to be less expensive than their full coverage counterparts. The average annual policy will run you about $438 each year. This premium provides you with the liability coverage to protect you in the event of an at-fault accident. If you have regular access to a car you don’t own, non-owner insurance could be a good option.

Non-owner car insurance is a policy that you buy to protect you while you drive cars you’ve rented or borrowed¹. You would get non-owner insurance to be sure that you have enough liability coverage on the car if you were to get into an at-fault accident. When it comes to rental cars, having your own insurance means that you can decline to buy the company’s rental car insurance policy when you sign the contract.

It is possible to get insurance without owning a car. Not every licensed driver owns a car. You might fall into the category of drivers who borrow or rent cars frequently. When you have this type of driving arrangement, it makes sense to get a non-owner insurance policy, which provides liability protection without the concern of insuring the vehicle you’re driving.

• Amount of liability protection: The more liability protection you choose, the more expensive the policy will be.
• Driving record: Someone with a bad driving record will pay more than someone with a good driving record.
• Location: Some areas have higher accident rates than others and will have higher premiums².

A non-owner policy protects you from the potential claims against you when you have an at-fault accident. If you hit someone, something, or another car, liability coverage will pay to fix the damage and the injuries of those you hit. Because non-owner insurance offers coverage with liability limits only, it will not cover your own injuries, injuries to any of your passengers, or damage to the car you are driving.

Non-owner insurance covers the liability incurred in at-fault accidents. Liability protection pays for the medical bills and property damage of those you have hit. The minimum non-owner policy will meet the state minimum insurance requirements, keeping you compliant with the law.

A non-owner policy does not cover the rental car or the borrowed car itself; rather, it provides finances for the other party’s injuries and damages only. To get the car itself repaired, you will need collision coverage, which is part of a full coverage policy. Because you are not the owner of the car, a non-owner policy will not provide coverage for it. The insurance company assumes that the car owner has their desired coverage for their vehicle since they are responsible for registering it.

You need non-owner insurance if:

• You have a valid driver’s license and don’t own a car, but you rent or borrow one frequently.
• You are between cars but want continuous coverage to keep your premiums down with insurers.

1. Contact an insurance carrier.
2. Provide your driver’s license number and contact information, including your home address. The insurance company will look up your driving history and price the policy based on your home location.
3. Compare quotes among insurance providers.
4. Choose a policy and pay the premium.

Because there is no car involved in the quote process, buying a non-owner insurance policy is relatively straightforward.

An insurance company files an SR-22 with the state. An SR-22 says that you meet the minimum insurance requirements of that state, serving as proof that you have the required type of coverage. If you need an SR-22 but don’t have a car, a non-owner insurance policy will help you meet the state requirements. Here’s how to get one:

1. Apply for non-owner insurance with a carrier. (Note that not all companies take someone with an SR-22 or FR-44, as it makes them a high-risk driver.)
2. Mention that you need an SR-22.
3. Pay the premium and any additional filing fee. Some carriers will charge a $25 fee to file the form on your behalf.

Some insurance companies can handle non-owner insurance quotes and policies better than others. These companies have a process that makes them better options for someone looking for the best insurance company to work with. When getting non-owner quotes, consider the following companies:

• GEICO
• Progressive
• USAA (if you are or have ever been in the military)
• Esurance
• Travelers

Other companies, such as State Farm, offer non-owner policies but require you to submit paper applications for underwriting, since their computer quoting systems don’t handle non-owner policies.

Getting a non-owner insurance policy is an important step when you borrow or rent cars. The policy makes sure that you have enough liability protection to cover you in the event of an at-fault accident. A non-owner policy is inexpensive compared to purchasing a full coverage policy and valid for any car you drive.