Jessica Fox Last Updated On: February 9, 2024

What is Non-Owner Car Insurance?

When you are not a car owner and are driving a car that you have either borrowed or rented, you may need non-owned car insurance. This policy covers third-party bodily injuries and damage to property that is caused accidentally. You are not covered by this policy and neither is the car that has been borrowed or rented. It is important to be listed on the car owner’s policy if you are borrowing it from a relative or family member.

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Table of Contents

What Is The Ideal Time To Get Car Insurance For Non-Owners Policy?

You would need non-owners car insurance when you are:
  • Using a car-sharing service: Get liability coverage over and above what the company provides when you go for insurance for non-car owners
  • Renting cars a lot: You save more with insurance for non-car owners compared to getting coverage from the rental company
  • Getting a driver’s license: It might be compulsory for getting or reinstating your driver’s license in some states for non-car owners

How to Get Non-Owner Car Insurance?

  • Provide your basic driving background information.
  • Get information about the different companies providing insurance coverage and their insurance rate quotes.
  • Select the company that is giving you the best deal.
  • Make a down payment to activate coverage. The amount needed will depend on the company and state.
  • Find out coverage details from the auto insurance company. Your agent would need your state notification number for SR-22 where applicable. This is not required by all states.
  • Either the agent will purchase your insurance or SR-22 will be directly filed by the insurance company.

What You Need To Know About Non-Owners Auto Insurance

Not everyone has a car or needs one, but that doesn’t mean you won’t ever drive a vehicle (unless, of course, you don’t have a license). So, do you need auto insurance if you borrow a friend’s car?

If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, the good news is that there is an affordable insurance product called non-owner car insurance.

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Non-Owner Car Insurance Quote Makes Easy

Getting a quote for non-owner insurance is easy. To purchase coverage, basic personal information and your driver’s license number are required. We will recommend an affordable rate after a thorough comparison between a minimum of three to four quotes so that you can make a decision.

Who Needs Car Insurance For Non-Owners?

If you drive but don’t own a car, then non-owner car insurance is likely a great choice for you. This type of liability policy is ideal for people who often borrow or rent a vehicle—or have to apply for an SR-22 even though they don’t have a car.  

Inexpensive and relatively easy to get, non-owner car insurance provides you with both bodily injury and property damage in the event you’re driving a vehicle that doesn’t belong to you. 

Sounds great, right? 

It is, but it’s not a solution for everyone. For instance, this policy is not for you if you live with someone who owns a vehicle and would otherwise be listed as a driver under that person’s policy.  

Car insurance for non-owners is a specific kind of insurance for people in specific situations: people who drive but do not have regular, easy access to a vehicle. 

With these specifications and caveats in mind, let’s dive deeper into non-ownership car insurance so you can understand if it’s right for you.  

Here are some reasons why you should strongly consider taking out a non-owner car insurance policy: 

  • To maintain continuous car insurance coverage: Skipping even one day of car insurance coverage is a red flag to insurers, so affordable non-owner insurance can shelter you from a lapse in coverage.
  • To reinstate your license: If you’re getting a driver’s license for the first time or trying to reinstate your license, some states may require you to get car insurance to show financial responsibility. 
  • To get an SR-22/FR-44: Some states require you to take out an SR-22/FR-44 if you’ve been convicted of a serious offense like a DUI, to prove you have the minimum required insurance to be on the road.
  • You frequently borrow, rent, or car-share (Zipcar): If you drive another person’s vehicle often, having liability coverage protects you from paying for damages while you’re behind the wheel. In addition, rental liability tends to be more costly than having non-owner insurance.

If one of these situations applies to you, non-owner auto insurance might be exactly what you need. 

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What Exactly Does Non-Owners Auto Insurance Cover?

If you end up causing a car accident while driving another person’s vehicle, but you’re carrying non-owner auto insurance, then fear not; your coverage offers you some financial protection from having to pay out of pocket.  

How the payout works is that the car’s owner or the primary insurance pays first, and when that runs out, non-owner’s insurance kicks in. 

Here’s the rundown of what non-owner’s auto insurance covers:

  • Property damage: Non-owner auto insurance will cover the cost of fixing the vehicle you hit. However, non-owner car insurance will not pay for any damages sustained to the vehicle you were operating.
  • Injuries: In addition to vehicle damages, non-owner coverage will help pay the medical bills for the driver you hit and their passenger (if applicable).
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): A surprising feature of non-owner auto insurance is that it protects you from paying for damages — to your person and the car — if someone without liability insurance hits you.
  • Medical payments (MedPay): In some states, non-owners auto insurance’s MedPay feature will cover your medical expenses regardless of fault.
  • Legal fees: If your at-fault accident results in you being sued, non-owners will pay your legal fees.

Non-owner car insurance offers great coverage, and even though you don’t own a car, it can help you hit the road with peace of mind. 

What Doesn’t Non-Owners Auto Insurance Cover?

If you’re getting non-owner car insurance quotes before you lock into a policy, you also want to know what this policy does not cover. For instance, non-owners is secondary liability coverage that will help pay for damages you’ve caused to another driver (to the car and person). However, it will not pay for damages to the vehicle you were driving.  

Here is what non-owner auto insurance won’t cover:

  • Personal injury: If you’re injured in the accident and only have liability coverage, non-owners will not pay for your medical care.
  • Comprehensive or collision: If you’re involved in an accident, non-owners is secondary coverage, which means it will not pay for damages; the vehicle owner’s car insurance will.
  • Personal possessions: If someone steals personal effects from the vehicle while in your possession, non-owners will not cover any lost items.
  • Multiple drivers: Unlike traditional car insurance, where spouses can share a policy, non-owners only insure the policyholder.
  • Work vehicle: If you own a business with a work vehicle, you won’t be eligible for non-owners coverage as your car insurance.

Non-owners car insurance has great coverage, but there are important exclusions that you need to be aware of (and financially prepared for) before getting behind the wheel.

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How Much Does Non-Owners Car Insurance Cost?

One of the benefits of getting non-owner’s car insurance quotes is that it’s more affordable than comprehensive car insurance. Keep in mind while shopping around for a non-owner car insurance quote that the price varies depending on the provider and your variables. 

Non-owner car insurance rates depend on these factors:

  • Your driving history
  • Where you live
  • How often you drive
  • Coverage options (the more options you add, the higher the cost)
  • If you have an SR-22/FR-44 (this increases premiums)

Note: Insurance companies may not advertise or offer online quotes for non-owner car insurance. You may need to call or speak with an insurance specialist to help you find the right coverage. 

Do You Need Non-Owners Car Insurance?

If you don’t own a car and you’re not listed as a permitted driver but you drive a vehicle you’ve rented or borrowed, then yes, you should get non-owner car insurance (provided your state offers it. Not all states do).

If you have a lapse in coverage because you sold your car or are between vehicles, you can benefit from this kind of policy as well since it will help you avoid being classified as a risky driver. 

FAQ

Non-owner auto insurance is advisable since you get liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection in the event of an accident.​

Certainly, with non-car owners’ insurance, you avoid costly insurance charges by the rental car company. The more frequently you rent cars, the greater the savings.​

Making changes to your non-owners policy like adding or subtracting a driver or a car is hassle-free. Get in touch with our friendly representatives by calling them or meeting them in person at any of our local stores. ​

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