What is non-owner car insurance?

Can you get car insurance without a car?

You can buy a car insurance policy if you don't own a car, but plan to drive another vehicle. A non-owner car insurance policy will provide liability coverage for injuries or damages you cause in an accident. Non-owner insurance can be helpful if the car owner's liability limits are too low to fully cover the incident, or if you're denied coverage under the owner's policy. This can happen in some circumstances, depending on the rules of the insurer and the details of the accident.

In addition to liability coverage, a non-owner insurance policy may also include medical payments and/or personal injury protection coverage and uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance coverage.

Do I need non-owner car insurance?

A non-owner auto insurance policy may make sense in a few situations:

• Borrowing cars often: If you often borrow a car and don't have your own policy, you may want to consider a non-owner insurance policy. Learn more about insurance for borrowed cars.
• Using a car-sharing service: A non-owner policy may make sense if you frequently use a car-sharing or short-term rental service, as it gives you liability coverage beyond what the company provides.
• Renting cars often: Liability coverage is required if you rent a vehicle without an insurance policy, so a non-owner car insurance policy may be cheaper in the long run than purchasing liability coverage from the rental company every time you rent a vehicle. It won't cover any physical damage to the rental car, but you may be able to buy a collision damage waiver from the rental company to add to your liability coverage from the non-owner policy. Learn more about rental car insurance.

When wouldn't I need non-owner car insurance?

You may not need a non-owner policy in the following situations:

• You rarely drive: If you drive a car a few times a year, then it may not make sense to pay for a non-owner car insurance policy.
• You borrow a household member's car: If you regularly borrow a car from someone in your household, then the owner should add you to their insurance policy instead. Many insurers require their policyholders to list all of the licensed drivers in their household, even if the people they live with don't regularly drive their car.

How much is non-owner car insurance?

Non-owner car insurance typically costs less than what you'd pay for the same level of liability coverage on a car you own, but this may vary depending on your driving history, location, coverage limits, and other factors. Get your questions answered and get a car insurance quote for coverages that meet your specific needs.

How to get car insurance without a car

Not every car insurance company offers non-owner insurance, so you'll need to research insurers who offer these types of policies. Depending on the insurer, you may be able to quote a non-owner policy online, over the phone, or through a local agent. As with buying a regular auto policy, you may need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and other identifying information before you can quote and buy non-owner car insurance.