Non-Owner Car Insurance

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.

Non-owner car insurance costs an average of $200 to $500 per year, with prices varying by insurance company and individual driver. A non-owners policy is usually cheaper than a standard policy because drivers who don't own a car are less likely to file a claim than car owners. Like with any auto policy, insurance companies determine non-owner premiums based on factors like the consumer's ZIP code, age, and driving record.

Non-owner car insurance provides supplemental coverage for drivers who use borrowed, rented, or carsharing vehicles and do not own their own vehicle. Additionally, drivers without their own vehicle can purchase a non-owner policy in order to fulfill an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement. However, non-owner coverage is not an option if you do possess a car, or if someone in your household owns a car that you have regular access to.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's complete guide to 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.

How to Get Car Insurance Without a Car

• Present a valid driver's license
• Make sure you don't own a vehicle in your name
• Ensure that no one in your household owns a vehicle that you might have access to (sometimes required)

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

When to Consider Getting Car Insurance Without a Car

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 into 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.

You can insure a car that you don't own in most states if you can prove insurable interest. This means you have a financial stake in the vehicle and will suffer a loss if anything happens to it, which reduces the risk of you committing insurance fraud.

For example, even though you don't fully own a vehicle that's leased or financed, you have money invested in the car's wellbeing. Just keep in mind that some states, like New York, do not allow you to insure a car that isn't registered to you, even if you can prove insurable interest.

How to Insure a Car That You Don't Own

1. Re-title the car

The easiest way to prove insurable interest in a car is to add your name to the title and registration. This is a good option if the vehicle isn't financed and you live with the owner.

2. Prove financial dependence

You can prove insurable interest by demonstrating a financial dependence on the vehicle. For example, if you don't own a car and have to drive a particular friend's vehicle for your daily commute, you may be able to convince the insurer that you have a stake in the car.

3. Purchase a non-owner policy

 If you can't prove insurable interest in a car that you don't own, then you should consider purchasing a non-owner insurance policy. This is a special type of insurance that covers you when you drive rented or borrowed vehicles, and it's a good investment if you're regularly driving someone else's car.

However, you cannot purchase a non-owner policy if you live in the same household as someone who owns a car. In that case, the owner of the car should add you to their insurance policy as an additional driver. To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to non-owner car insurance.

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.

Yes, you can drive with non-owner car insurance as long as you have a valid driver's license. A non-owner car insurance policy can be used to satisfy a state's car insurance requirements, allowing you to use your own coverage if you do not have a personal vehicle but drive using car-sharing services, rental cars, or borrowed cars.

Keep in mind that you can only purchase non-owner insurance if you don't own a car. Additionally, you won't be able to get it if you live in the same household as someone who owns a vehicle.  

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to non-owner car insurance.

Non-owner insurance is a car insurance policy that provides bodily injury and property damage liability coverage for drivers who don't own a car. Non-owner insurance is cheaper than a standard car insurance policy and can be purchased by anyone with a valid driver's license who does not have regular access to a specific vehicle. Even living with someone who owns a car could jeopardize your eligibility for non-owner insurance.

 What Non-Owner Insurance Covers

• Injuries to other drivers in accidents that you cause.
• Property damage, excluding damage to the vehicle you're driving.
• Accidents caused by uninsured/underinsured motorists.

You can use non-owner insurance coverage for many things, including borrowing a car, renting a car, using a car-sharing service, or reinstating your license after a serious traffic violation.

Typically, non-owner insurance costs between $200 and $500 per year—although this varies depending on your location and driving history. On the other hand, a standard owner policy will cost an average of $716 per year for minimum coverage.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to non-owner car insurance.

A named operator policy is a car insurance policy that provides coverage to drivers who do not own a car but plan to drive regularly using rental cars, car sharing services, or borrowed vehicles. Named operator policies are more commonly referred to as non-owner car insurance.

Named operator policies typically allow drivers to purchase liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP), though coverage options vary by state. Because named operator policies cover the driver and not a specific vehicle, they do not include collision or comprehensive insurance, which pay for vehicle repair and replacement.   

Most major insurers offer named operator insurance, which usually costs between $200 and $500 per year. Bear in mind that even if you don't personally own a car, you will likely be unable to purchase a named operator policy if someone in your household has a vehicle.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to non-owner car insurance.

Yes, you can get non-owner car insurance at 17 years old. Most states will allow minors to legally have an insurance policy in their names, however the specifics will vary based on where you live. Additionally, it can be difficult to get insurance companies to put a policy in place without a parent or a legal guardian, so the better choice, especially if you don't own the vehicle yourself, would be to have your parents add you as a driver on their policy.

States will vary on their laws when it comes to teenage drivers having their own car insurance policies. Ohio for example will require your parent or legal guardian to complete a consent form, while South Carolina's only restriction is that you own the vehicle you want to insure. In any case, the best course of action is to check with your local DMV and insurance regulator for all of the requirements in your state.

Yes, you can get a car insurance quote without a car if you have the year, make, and model of the car you are considering buying. If you do not plan to buy a car, you can get a quote for non-owner car insurance by calling a local agent. Most major insurance companies offer non-owner car insurance, but they usually only provide quotes over the phone.

How to Get an Insurance Quote Without a Car         

1. Find the make, model, and year for a car you're interested in purchasing.
2. Use the general vehicle information and your personal details to get a quote online, over the phone, or at a local agent's office.
3. Explore supplemental coverage options, like comprehensive or collision.
4. Compare quotes from several companies so you have a good idea of the price range.
5. Look into potential discounts you may be able to qualify for.

Keep in mind that you will not be able to purchase insurance without specific details about your car, like the vehicle identification number (VIN), registration info, and current mileage. However, it can be useful to get a quote for potential vehicles so you better understand what a policy might cost.   

Getting Car Insurance Without a Car

If you do not plan to buy a car but you still want coverage, consider getting non-owner insurance. It is a type of coverage for licensed drivers who don't own a car but sometimes drive using rental cars or borrowed vehicles. It is less expensive than regular insurance and can be a great coverage option while you test-drive potential vehicles.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to getting car insurance.