Not owning a car can be advantageous for your finances. However, even if you do not have to worry about auto repairs when renting or driving other people’s cars frequently, you might still be responsible for paying for auto insurance because driving a car without insurance is still a state offense.
Non-owner auto insurance can help in this situation.
Nonetheless, there are circumstances in which non-owner auto insurance might not be required. For instance, you ought to be included in the policy of the car owner if you borrow a car from someone in your house.
Even if the car is owned by an unrelated roommate and you do not currently possess a valid license, this may still be necessary depending on their insurer and your state.
Another circumstance is when you either drive sparingly or never drive at all. If your driving is limited to yearly car rentals or spontaneously borrowing a friend’s vehicle, then non-owner auto insurance may not be needed for you.
But in most cases, chances are that you really need to drive a friend or relative’s car around without owning a car. And you need to ride frequently. To avoid clashes with the state or lawsuits, signing up for non-owner car insurance is your best bet.
Getting this nonowner insurance policy is simple; simply contact insurance providers and inquire about policies that are tailored to your specific needs. To ascertain the right coverage and premium, you will have to furnish details regarding your driving record and how often you use your car.
That being said, this is the rationale behind this post. We have answered all of your questions regarding nonowner auto insurance in this post, including who needs it, how to get it, and how much it costs. Now let’s get started!
What is a non-owner car insurance policy?
A non-owner auto insurance policy does not restrict coverage to a particular car. Rather, it is linked to the individual specified in the policy.Â
If you are held accountable for an accident while driving a friend’s vehicle, this will enable you to obtain insurance coverage for property damage and bodily injury. Policies for non-owner insurance also follow you, so you would still be protected if you moved into a different home.
Read: How to Get a Temporary Car Insurance
What coverage does non-owner auto insurance provide?
Those who do not own a car but occasionally drive someone else’s can get liability coverage from non-owner auto insurance. In the event of a collision, liability auto insurance covers other people’s medical expenses and property damage.
If you cause an accident, it does not, however, pay for any injuries you may sustain or for damage to the vehicle you have borrowed or hired.
The minimum coverage required by your state is usually the only thing included in a non-owner auto insurance policy, though you are frequently able to choose higher limits. A non-owner policy may cover the following items in addition to liability:
- Coverage for uninsured/underinsured drivers, which covers your medical expenses following an accident involving a driver who lacks sufficient or has no liability insurance.
- Regardless of who is at fault, medical payments or personal injury protection cover your injuries in the event of an accident.
Comprehensive and collision insurance are excluded from non-owner coverage. This coverage covers the cost of replacing or repairing your car under a typical auto policy.
Additionally, unlike most standard policies, a non-owner policy does not provide coverage for any other people who may live with you.
Generally speaking, non-owner auto insurance also has no deductible.
Related: How Does Car Insurance Deductible Work?
Who needs non-owner auto insurance?
Under the following circumstances, people without a car might want to purchase a non-owner insurance policy.
You may require non-owner auto insurance if you find yourself in these circumstances.
You often drive other people’s vehicles
In most cases, the car owner’s insurance covers accidents. Nevertheless, you would be responsible for the remaining amount if expenses exceeded their liability coverage.
Let’s say that while operating a friend’s vehicle, you cause an accident that results in the other driver requiring $35,000 in medical care.
Your responsibility would be to pay the remaining $10,000 if the friend who lent you the car only has bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000. Your non-owner policy might pay for that cost.
You regularly rent cars
If you rent from a company frequently enough, non-owner insurance may be less expensive than liability coverage.
Additionally, since you are driving a rental car in a strange place, having non-owner car insurance puts your mind at rest if you are concerned about getting into an accident.Â
You make frequent use of a car-sharing program
While drivers can obtain some coverage from car-sharing services like Turo, it is usually limited to what is required by law in your state.
If you cause a serious accident, you would be liable for any costs that go over the minimum amounts. This coverage can be enhanced with a non-owner policy.
You operate a company vehicle
If your employer lends you a vehicle, you ought to be protected by the policy whenever you use it for business purposes. But what happens if you have an after-work appointment to pick up the kids or to quickly stop by the grocery store?Â
You almost definitely need non-owner auto insurance to be protected against injuries and property damage you might cause while operating a vehicle unless your employer’s auto policy covers personal use.
You don’t want to be without car insurance
Even when you are between cars, not having auto insurance makes you appear risky to insurers, which can result in higher premiums the next time you compare quotes.Â
This means that if you are going to be without a car for a short while, it might end up being less expensive to purchase non-owner insurance than to forgo coverage.
How to get non-owner car insurance
To obtain a non-owner car insurance, take the following steps:
- Look up insurance companies: To get started, look into insurance companies that provide non-owner auto insurance. It is necessary to locate insurers who offer this kind of coverage because not all of them do.
- Get in touch with insurers: Make contact with these insurance providers over the phone or via their websites. It is possible to get quotes and ask questions regarding their non-owner auto insurance policies.
- Provide accurate information: Be ready to share details about yourself, including your age, whereabouts, driving record, and possibly other personal information. These details are used by insurance companies to evaluate your risk profile and calculate the premium.
- Compare quotes: Research and contrast prices offered by various carriers. While doing this independently is feasible, using an independent agent makes the process simpler.
- Make your comparison to determine which option best suits your needs and financial situation. Be mindful of the coverage limitations, deductibles, and any extra features or constraints.
- Buy the non-owner policy: You can move forward with the non-owner auto insurance purchase by choosing a policy that satisfies your needs. When you are ready to complete the purchase, make sure you go over the policy documents thoroughly and ask any questions.
Who doesn’t need non-owner car insurance?
In these circumstances, purchasing a non-owner insurance policy is not the best option.
Borrowing an automobile from a member of your family
You might not require non-owner insurance if the car you drive is owned by the person you live with. Ideally, you should always be included on their auto insurance policy as a covered driver.
This is done because coverage could be refused if all household members who are of driving age are not listed on the policy, depending on where you live and which insurance company insures the car.
You either drive infrequently or never
If your driving is limited to yearly car rentals or impulsive borrowing of your friend’s car, non-owner auto insurance may not be worth the cost. If something goes wrong, it might be less expensive to just purchase insurance at the rental counter or to rely on your friend’s insurance coverage.
Having said that, it is wise to confirm your coverage one more time before driving. If you are involved in an accident and your friend lets you use their car, not all insurance companies will pay for the injuries.
Where to purchase auto insurance for non-owners
You can purchase auto insurance for non-owners by calling an insurance company or agent to obtain a quote. Online non-owner auto insurance quotes are generally not offered by insurers.Â
Non-owner auto insurance, also known as non-owner insurance by some, is provided by the majority of large auto insurance providers, though not all of them have online resources.Â
Getting a policy is best accomplished by contacting the company directly or by finding an agent. By contacting smaller, neighborhood insurance providers in your area, you might also be able to locate non-owner auto insurance.
What does non-owner auto insurance cost?
The cost of a non-owner auto insurance policy is usually less than the amount of liability coverage most car owners have. Your driving history, age, and the frequency of your planned driving are among the many factors that determine the cost.Â