Non-Owner Car Insurance

Yes, you can get car insurance without a car. You can buy non-owner car insurance which will provide your state minimum car insurance coverage as long as you have a valid driver's license, do not have a vehicle registered in your name, and do not have access to a household vehicle.

Non-owner car insurance is liability-only coverage, which only covers damage that you cause to other drivers or their property. It does not provide coverage for you, your passengers or the car you are driving.

Requirements to Get Car Insurance Without A Car

• To have a valid driver's license
• To not own a vehicle in your name
• To ensure that no one in your household owns a vehicle that you might have access to (sometimes required)

Your friends' insurance policies might allow them to list other drivers for permissive use, which would cover accidents that occur while you're borrowing their car. But any damages that go beyond the limits of their policy would be your financial responsibility. By obtaining non-owner insurance, you provide yourself with additional protection in such cases.

Non-owner car insurance policies vary in cost, but they're typically cheaper than car insurance coverage for a vehicle you own. Your age, driving history, where you live and how often you drive all factor in to the rates you may be offered.

If you are interested in obtaining non-owner car insurance coverage, we recommend seeking quotes from several insurance companies before making a final decision.

No, you can't get a temporary car insurance policy. No reputable car insurance company offers a policy shorter than six months, so if you find an offer online for “one-day” or “weekend” car insurance coverage, it's probably not legitimate.

However, you can get coverage for a short time by purchasing a standard six-month policy, a non-owner policy, or a pay-per-mile insurance policy and then canceling it when you no longer need the coverage.

When Temporary Car Insurance Can Be Useful

• You need car insurance in order to drive for a ridesharing service using a car that you don't own.
• You are going on a road trip and will be taking turns driving.
• You are temporarily driving an insured car but want supplemental coverage in addition to the owner's insurance.
• You plan to frequently drive rental cars within the next few months and don't want to pay high fees for rental car insurance.
• You are purchasing a car for a short period of time.
• You are a college student and will only be driving when you're home.
• You're a seasonal employee and your work requires you to drive.
• You are traveling to Mexico or Canada and need temporary international coverage.

Alternatives to Short-Term Car Insurance

Standard Car Insurance

You need a standard car insurance policy if you own the car you're driving, even if you may not be driving it for the full length of a policy (six months or a year). For example, if you're in the process of selling your car, you still need insurance. But you're free to cancel it once you sell your vehicle.

Non-Owner Car Insurance

Non-owner insurance covers you when you're driving any car that you do not own. Since you're only covering yourself and not a vehicle, non-owner insurance costs less than a standard insurance policy.

This is a great choice for seasonal employees – students who might only need to drive for a summer job, for example. Some families also want new drivers on a separate, temporary policy until they really learn how to drive, and non-owner insurance works for them, too. Plus, it's your best bet if you're going to borrow or rent a car for an extended period, such as a long vacation.

Pay-Per-Mile Insurance

Pay-as-you-go insurance is a great option for people who don't drive frequently, such as seasonal workers, students and occasional commuters. Insurers like Metromile charge drivers a base rate for coverage, then determine additional costs based on how many miles the policyholder drives. If you take a longer trip, the insurer will cap your miles and won't charge you for distances beyond that cap. Additionally, some insurers like National General offer discounts to policyholders who drive only a few thousand miles annually.

Yes, Geico offers non-owner car insurance for people who do not have access to a household car. Geico non-owner car insurance is a good investment for drivers who frequently borrow or rent cars, or those who need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 with their state to prove they have insurance. A non-owner policy from Geico typically costs around $311 per year.

When to Consider Geico Non-Owner Car Insurance

• You rent cars regularly.
• You frequently use car-sharing services such as Zipcar.
• You need to reinstate your license.
• You need to file an SR-22/FR-44 form despite not owning a car.
• You want to maintain continuous coverage to prevent future premium increases.

Some non-owner policies provide liability-only insurance, while others include personal injury protection, MedPay and/or uninsured motorist coverage. When shopping for non-owner car insurance quotes, be sure to check the coverage options that are available in your state.

Geico does not provide non-owner quotes online, so you'll have to call 1 (800) 207-7847 to find out how much non-owner insurance would cost for your particular circumstances.

Month-to-month car insurance is not offered by any reputable insurance company. Month-to-month insurance typically refers to an auto policy that provides coverage for one month at a time, not a six or 12-month policy that is paid for in monthly installments. But because truly temporary car insurance doesn't exist, standard policies with monthly premiums are actually a more realistic form of month-to-month insurance.

Why Car Insurance Companies Do Not Offer Month-to-Month Car Insurance

Month-to-month car insurance is not available from any reputable insurer because of the potential losses that come with it. Drivers who need short-term insurance are considered to be high-risk, meaning they're more likely to file a claim than those with standard insurance. In addition, drivers in this demographic likely won't become long-term customers, and insurance companies won't be able to recoup the cost of a claim from a one-month premium. 

Still, it's also obvious why many consumers are interested in month-to-month car insurance. Such coverage could apply to a lot of situations.

When Month-to-Month Car Insurance Can Be Useful

• You are temporarily driving an insured car but want coverage to supplement the owner's insurance.
• You plan to frequently drive rental cars within the next few months and don't want to pay high fees for rental car insurance.
• You are purchasing a car for a short period of time.
• You are a seasonal employee and your work requires you to drive.
• You want to drive for a rideshare service but don't own a car yet.

Alternatives to Month-to-Month Car Insurance

Usage-Based Insurance

Usage-based insurance, or pay-per-mile coverage, is a great option for drivers who will only need car insurance for a few months. Insurers like Metromile charge a base rate for coverage, then determine additional costs based on how many miles you drive. Additionally, some standard insurers like National General offer usage-based discounts to policyholders who only drive a few thousand miles annually.

Non-Owner Car Insurance

A non-owner policy covers you when you're driving any car that you don't own, and since it does not apply to a specific vehicle, it's an affordable alternative to standard car insurance. However, it's important to know that you cannot purchase non-owner insurance if you own a car or live with someone who does.

Paying Your Car Insurance Monthly

If you think you'll only need a car insurance policy for a few months, you can purchase a standard six or 12-month policy and pay monthly instead of in-full upfront. Once you no longer need the policy, you can cancel it. You should receive a refund for any unused policy time that you already paid for, but keep in mind that your insurer may charge a cancellation fee.

For drivers who choose to go this route, the monthly cost of coverage depends heavily on which state they live in.  

Average Monthly Car Insurance Cost by State

No, you can't get one-day car insurance. Many websites throw around terms like “one-day,” “short-term,” and “temporary” insurance, but there's a reason they don't mention where to buy it or which companies offer it: one-day car insurance policies don't really exist—in some cases, they may be scams.

The only time you can get one-day coverage is if you pay for rental car insurance at the counter. No reputable insurance company will offer a policy shorter than six months for your own car. And even in the case of rental cars, you may be covered by your current policy or have other, better alternatives.

Alternatives to One-Day Car Insurance

Non-owner policies

People looking for one-day insurance coverage are usually borrowing a car. In that case, non-owner car insurance may be an option. Non-owner insurance supplements the owner's policy after an accident. Insurance usually follows the car, so the owner's insurer will pay for the claim. But if damages exceed the owner's policy limits, you're financially responsible. A non-owner policy kicks in as secondary coverage to protect you while driving a borrowed car.

Pay-per-mile policies

If you're an infrequent driver, a pay-per-mile policy (also known as usage-based insurance) may fit your needs better than one-day insurance. Pay-per-mile policies price your premium based on how much you drive and how responsible you are when driving, as measured by an electronic monitoring device that attaches to your car or operates through a phone app. Such usage-based policies can be purchased through Progressive, State Farm, Esurance, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and more.

Low-mileage policies

If you drive less than 5,000 miles per year, you fall into the low-mileage bracket and likely qualify for cheaper insurance. That could be the case if you drive for leisure, own a classic car that only comes out of the garage on holidays, or mostly use public transportation and store your car.

Standard policies

You could always purchase a standard policy and cancel it when you don't need it anymore. You pay for coverage in advance, so when you cancel, you'll get a prorated refund. But even if you cancel one day into the policy period, you're not guaranteed a full refund. In addition to possible cancelation fees, you could be billed for more days of coverage than you need.

Bottom line

A one-day insurance policy is not something insurance companies offer, but there are better policy options to meet your short-term needs.

The General offers non-owner car insurance for people who don't own a vehicle but still need liability protection. If you lose your license for a driving or insurance violation, you may need proof of insurance to get your license back, even if you don't own a car. Not all companies will insure you in this case. However, The General specializes in covering drivers with problems on their records.

The General's non-owner liability insurance doesn't cover injuries to you or your passengers, or damage to the car you are driving. It pays the victims for bodily injuries and property damage when an accident is your fault. If you regularly drive someone else's car, having your own liability policy will protect you financially. You also may want extra insurance if you use a car-sharing service like Zipcar. These services include insurance, but the coverage levels are relatively low.

Non-owner liability insurance from The General is cheap compared to collision or comprehensive coverage, which pay for damage to your car. The low cost makes non-owner insurance worth considering when you're between cars, too. Insurance companies don't like to see gaps in insurance They often react with higher premiums. Buying inexpensive non-owner liability insurance keeps your coverage continuous. This can save you money in the long run.

For a quote on non-owner car insurance from The General, call (844) 328-0306 or visit The General's website.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance costs at least $15 - $25, due to the fee insurers charge for filing an SR-22 form with the DMV. Non-owner SR-22 insurance also costs roughly 3% more than a standard non-owner car insurance policy, on average, given the high-risk surcharge that insurers apply to the premiums of drivers who need an SR-22.

The exact cost of a non-owner SR-22 policy depends on where the driver lives and how much car insurance they're required to have. But because non-owner SR-22 insurance applies only to drivers, and not their cars too, it generally costs less than regular SR-22 coverage.

How Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance Works

Non-owner SR-22 insurance is coverage for drivers who do not own a car but are required by their state to file an SR-22 as verification of insurance. Most states require drivers to file an SR-22 after they are convicted of a major moving violation, such as DUI or reckless driving. This applies even if you don't own a car, which is where non-owner SR-22 insurance comes in handy.

You will not be eligible for non-owner SR-22 insurance if anyone in your household owns a car. If you purchase a non-owner SR-22 policy, you will only need it for 3-5 years, depending on your state. Those who do not plan on driving in the future can drop their coverage once they are no longer required to have an SR-22 on file.

No, you do not need car insurance if you don't own a car and don't plan to drive, unless your state has required you to file an SR-22 or FR-44. If that is the case, then you can purchase non-owner insurance, which will give you at least the minimum amount of coverage required by your state.

Even if you're not required to carry non-owner car insurance, it's a smart investment if you want the freedom to drive occasionally using rental cars, car sharing services, or borrowed vehicles. When you drive someone else's car with their permission, you are generally covered by their insurance policy. But non-owner coverage allows you to choose your own policy limits, and it's easier handle an insurance claim when you're the insurer's customer.

You should also consider purchasing non-owner car insurance if you are temporarily between cars and want to maintain continuous coverage with your insurer in order to avoid a lapse in coverage or receive customer loyalty discounts and benefits.

What Non-Owner Car Insurance Covers

• Injuries to other drivers in accidents that you cause.
• Property damage that you cause, excluding damage to the vehicle you're driving.
• Your medical bills after accidents, depending on your state.

Most major insurance companies offer non-owner car insurance, which usually costs between $200 and $500 per year. If you purchase a non-owner policy, you are required to carry at least your state's minimum coverage amounts. But you can also purchase additional coverage that is not required.

The cheapest non-owner insurance is from Geico, State Farm, and Farmers. Non-owner insurance is for people who don't own a car but rent or borrow one frequently. Although non-owner car insurance is usually cheaper than a standard policy, the cost can still vary widely based on location, driving record, and other risk factors.

Non-owner policies fulfill the state's mandatory minimum requirements for liability coverage, though some companies also allow drivers to purchase additional coverage. Drivers can purchase non-owner policies from the country's 10 largest insurers or from many nonstandard insurance companies.

Companies Offering Non-Owner Insurance

• Farmers
• Progressive
• Nationwide
• Travelers
• American Family
• State Farm
• Geico
• USAA
• Allstate
• Liberty Mutual
• The General
• Kemper
• Dairyland
• Acceptance
• Direct Auto
• Hallmark

Not all of these companies operate in every state. Additionally, Progressive only offers non-owner insurance policies to existing customers. It's also worth noting that if you are rejected by a major company like Geico or State Farm, the nonstandard insurers on this list might be willing to sell you a policy.

Since non-owner insurance is relatively uncommon, most insurance companies have customers call for a quote rather than getting an estimate online. But despite the extra time this requires, comparing multiple quotes will pay off in the long run by saving you money based on your specific location and driving history.

Yes, Allstate offers non-owner car insurance for people who do not have access to a household car. Allstate non-owner car insurance is a good investment for drivers who frequently borrow or rent cars, or those who need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 with their state to prove they have insurance. A non-owner policy from Allstate typically costs around $638 per year.

When to Consider Allstate Non-Owner Car Insurance

• You rent cars regularly.
• You frequently use car-sharing services such as Zipcar.
• You need to reinstate your license.
• You need to file an SR-22/FR-44 form despite not owning a car.
• You want to maintain continuous coverage to prevent future premium increases.

Some non-owner policies provide liability-only insurance, while others include personal injury protection, MedPay and/or uninsured motorist coverage. When shopping for non-owner car insurance quotes, be sure to check the coverage options that are available in your state.

Allstate does not provide non-owner quotes online, so you'll have to call 1 (877) 255-7828 to find out how much non-owner insurance would cost for your particular circumstances.