A non-owner car insurance policy protects drivers who frequently drive but don't own the vehicle they use. Sometimes called non-owner's insurance or non-owner car insurance, this coverage includes bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance to cover property damage and injuries a driver may be liable for to a third party after an accident. However, non-owner car insurance won't provide coverage for damage to the vehicle you were driving or your own injuries after an accident. The average cost of non-owner car insurance ranges from $506 to $578 per year.
An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the auto insurance you need, including a non-owner policy. They'll be able to recommend the right coverage for your unique situation. But first, we'll answer the question, "What is non-owner car insurance?" thoroughly and explain when and why certain drivers might need this coverage.
Key Takeaways - Non-Owner Car Insurance: 2026
Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage for vehicles that you frequently drive but do not own.
Non-owner insurance is secondary liability coverage that pays after the vehicle owner's policy pays up to its limits.
The average cost of non-owner car insurance ranges from $506 to $578 per year, depending on your carrier.
Non-owner auto policies only provide liability coverage; they do not include comprehensive or collision coverage for physical damage.
Working with a local independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can shop and compare non-owner car insurance quotes and policies from multiple carriers in your area to find the best deal.
What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner auto insurance provides coverage for drivers who frequently drive vehicles owned by other people because they don't own their own cars. Coverage can be summarized as follows:
- Non-owner insurance costs an average of $506-$578 per year.
- Non-owner insurance provides liability-only coverage for drivers who often drive cars owned by other people, but who don't own their own cars.
- A non-owner car insurance policy is secondary to the owner's car insurance policy.
- Non-owner car insurance does not include comprehensive or collision coverage, so it doesn't protect against physical damage to the vehicle you drive.
What Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Cover?
Non-owner auto insurance or non-owned vehicle insurance provides important coverage for drivers who regularly drive, but don't own cars of their own. It provides property damage and bodily injury liability coverage for the named insured (you) if you are in an at-fault accident.
It can also cover you for injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver if you select this coverage. You can expect to always find the following types of coverage in a non-owner car insurance policy:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: This pays for medical expenses to third parties you are liable for in the event of an at-fault accident.
- Property damage liability coverage: If you're in an at-fault accident, this pays to repair or replace the other driver's vehicle or property.
The following table summarizes what is and isn't covered by non-owner car insurance.
| Covered | Not Covered |
|---|---|
Bodily injury to third parties
|
Physical damage to the vehicle you drive resulting from an at-fault accident
|
|
Damage to third-party property
|
Your own injuries after an accident if you are not in a no-fault state
|
|
In some states, bodily injury or property damage caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist
|
Theft, vandalism, or any other non-collision damage to the vehicle while in your possession
|
|
In some states, injuries to you and your passengers through personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage (MedPay)
|
Rental car reimbursement
|
|
Towing and labor expenses
|
Optional add-ons: UM/UIM, MedPay, and PIP
Some states, including New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Florida, require the following coverages. In other areas, these additional types of coverage are optional.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This provides compensation if you are injured in an accident by another driver who is uninsured or underinsured, or if it's a hit-and-run accident.
- Medical payments: This pays for your injuries and the injuries of passengers in your vehicle, no matter who's at fault in an accident.
- Personal injury protection: This includes medical payments coverage but provides the added benefit of replacing lost wages and other possible costs.
You won't typically find collision coverage or comprehensive coverage in a non-owner car insurance policy. You can ask your independent insurance agent to help you build the right kind of non-owner car insurance policy for your needs.
How Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Work?
Your secondary liability coverage works by paying the gap between the owner's car insurance policy and the total expenses after an accident. Here's an example of how non-owner insurance works:
- The owner's car insurance policy pays up to its $20,000 limit in property damage liability first after an accident you cause.
- The damage you cause totals $30,000, which leaves $10,000 remaining after the owner's coverage is exhausted.
- You have a non-owner car insurance policy with $40,000 in property damage liability coverage.
- Your non-owner car insurance pays the remaining $10,000 in damage after the owner's policy pays the first $20,000.
If you lacked non-owner car insurance, the third party whose property you damaged could sue you to collect the remaining $10,000 not covered by the vehicle owner's policy.
Who Needs Non-Owner Car Insurance?
There are a few different circumstances that might require someone to obtain a non-car owner insurance policy. They all relate to needing coverage if you drive but don't own the vehicle you use. For example, an individual might need non-owner car insurance if they:
- Borrow cars often: Someone who borrows cars often, such as from different friends or family members, still must be insured. Since these vehicles don't belong to them, they can use coverage from a non-owner car insurance policy.
- Use a car-sharing service: Someone who uses a car-sharing service doesn't own the vehicle they drive, but still must be insured. They can use a non-owner car insurance policy to meet these coverage needs.
- Rent cars often: Someone who rents cars often, such as on vacations or for long business trips, still must be insured. A non-owner car insurance policy can provide the coverage necessary to protect these rented vehicles for a lower price than the coverage offered by the rental company.
- Drive a company vehicle for both work and personal use: Someone who drives a company vehicle for business purposes, like deliveries, for personal use, or both, must be insured. The coverage provided by a non-owner car insurance policy can meet their needs in each of these scenarios.
- Want to maintain coverage to avoid a gap in insurance: Someone who is between owning vehicles but wants to maintain necessary coverage while they continue to drive can satisfy their insurance needs with non-owner car insurance. Non-owner car insurance can continue auto insurance coverage even if you're between cars.
- Drive rideshare vehicles: Rideshare drivers who are between gig vehicles might need non-owner car insurance to protect the cars they're using temporarily.
Having car insurance without owning a car is still important in all of these scenarios and more. An independent insurance agent can also advise you on whether non-owner car insurance for a borrowed car is the right choice.
Who Shouldn't Buy Non-Owner Car Insurance?
There are certain unique scenarios in which having non-owner car insurance or non-driver insurance isn't the best choice for an individual. These can include drivers who frequently borrow cars from someone in their household. In such a case, the driver should be listed as an additional insured on the auto policy of the household member from whom they borrow the car. In certain cases, an insurer can cancel a policy if the policyholder doesn't list every household member who is of legal driving age on the policy. Additionally, claims can be denied if a driver is someone who lives in the household but is not listed on the policy.
You also don't need non-owner car insurance if you borrow a vehicle for business deliveries or other work. This instance would require commercial vehicle insurance, not non-owner car insurance.
Drivers who frequently borrow a car from someone they don't live with might also not want a non-owner car insurance policy. Similar to the above scenario, the driver should be listed on this person's auto insurance policy, regardless of whether they live together, since they regularly use the vehicle. If you have a friend or family member you regularly borrow a car from but don't live with, make sure to ask about being listed or named as an additional insured on their auto insurance policy so they don't risk losing their coverage.
Finally, if you don't own a vehicle and don't drive frequently, you may not need non-owner car insurance. If you only borrow a vehicle from someone very occasionally or rent a car on an annual basis, for example, a non-owner car insurance policy's cost may not be worth it for you. In these cases, you might choose to purchase coverage from the rental company or count on the auto insurance policy of the person you borrow the vehicle from.
How Much Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Cost in 2026?
Average non-owner car insurance rates in 2026 range from $506 to $578 per year. So, how much is non-owner car insurance per month? It ranges from about $42 to $48. By state, non-owner car insurance can range from $126 (Idaho) to $1,082 (Florida) per year. The cost of your policy will vary depending on your state, driving record, age, credit (in some areas), and the coverage selected.
Non-owner car insurance policies are generally less expensive than traditional car insurance, but sometimes, the driver's state may require an SR-22 form or an FR-44 form, which needs to be added to the policy. There is generally a small fee to obtain one of these forms, and having one of these forms can increase your auto insurance rates while you have it. Currently, both Florida and Virginia require FR-44 add-ons.
However, non-owner car insurance often costs less than you'd pay for the same amount of liability coverage under an auto insurance policy for your own vehicle. Many factors influence the cost of non-owner car insurance, though, including your location, driving history, coverage selected, etc. An independent insurance agent can help you find the most affordable non-owner car insurance in your area.
Non-owner car insurance cost by company
The average cost of non-owner car insurance can also vary considerably by carrier. USAA offers the cheapest rates at an average of $16 per month, while Allstate's monthly average of $71 is the most expensive. The table below compares the average monthly and annual rates by some of the cheapest carriers for non-owner insurance in 2026.
| Car Insurance Company | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $71 | $847 |
| Nationwide | $55 | $659 |
| Progressive | $49 | $589 |
| Travelers | $36 | $434 |
| USAA | $16 | $192 |
Non-owner car insurance cost by state
Non-owner car insurance costs vary by location as well. South Dakota is the cheapest state for non-owner insurance, averaging just $216 per year, while New Jersey is the most expensive state, averaging $1,141 per year. Connecticut ($1,054/year) and Delaware ($936/year) are also on the higher end. The table below compares the average cost of non-owner auto coverage by state for 2026.
| State | Average Annual Cost | Average Six-Month Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $469 | $234 | $39 |
| Alaska | $296 | $148 | $25 |
| Arizona | $652 | $326 | $54 |
| Arkansas | $440 | $220 | $37 |
| California | $500 | $250 | $42 |
| Colorado | $506 | $253 | $42 |
| Connecticut | $1,054 | $527 | $88 |
| Delaware | $936 | $468 | $78 |
| Florida | $668 | $334 | $56 |
| Georgia | $510 | $255 | $43 |
| Hawaii | $389 | $194 | $32 |
| Idaho | $297 | $148 | $25 |
| Illinois | $518 | $259 | $43 |
| Indiana | $320 | $160 | $27 |
| Iowa | $280 | $140 | $23 |
| Kansas | $408 | $204 | $34 |
| Kentucky | $499 | $250 | $42 |
| Louisiana | $410 | $205 | $34 |
| Maine | $271 | $135 | $23 |
| Maryland | $516 | $258 | $43 |
| Massachusetts | $686 | $343 | $57 |
| Michigan | $855 | $427 | $71 |
| Minnesota | $352 | $176 | $29 |
| Mississippi | $474 | $237 | $40 |
| Missouri | $346 | $173 | $29 |
| Montana | $412 | $206 | $34 |
| Nebraska | $402 | $201 | $34 |
| Nevada | $823 | $412 | $69 |
| New Hampshire | $437 | $219 | $36 |
| New Jersey | $1,141 | $571 | $95 |
| New Mexico | $413 | $206 | $34 |
| New York | $606 | $303 | $50 |
| North Carolina | $681 | $341 | $57 |
| North Dakota | $353 | $176 | $29 |
| Ohio | $291 | $146 | $24 |
| Oklahoma | $477 | $238 | $40 |
| Oregon | $644 | $322 | $54 |
| Pennsylvania | $279 | $140 | $23 |
| Rhode Island | $511 | $256 | $43 |
| South Carolina | $448 | $224 | $37 |
| South Dakota | $216 | $108 | $18 |
| Tennessee | $507 | $253 | $42 |
| Texas | $564 | $282 | $47 |
| Utah | $658 | $329 | $55 |
| Vermont | $460 | $230 | $38 |
| Virginia | $549 | $275 | $46 |
| Washington | $516 | $258 | $43 |
| Washington, D.C. | $661 | $330 | $55 |
| West Virginia | $442 | $221 | $37 |
| Wisconsin | $398 | $199 | $33 |
| Wyoming | $270 | $135 | $22 |
Non-owner vs. standard liability: Cost comparison
State minimum liability coverage is typically more expensive than non-owner car insurance. The table below compares average non-owner vs. liability coverage rates by major carrier in 2026.
| Car Insurance Company | Average State Minimum Coverage Cost | Average Non-Owner Coverage Cost | Cost Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $752 | $708 | $44 |
| Travelers | $767 | $464 | $303 |
| Nationwide | $932 | $758 | $174 |
| Allstate | $946 | $826 | $120 |
| USAA | $406 | $207 | $199 |
Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance: What You Need to Know
If you have a DUI or DWI on your record, have been found guilty of driving without insurance, or have repeat offenses on your record, you need an SR-22. Non-owner SR-22 insurance costs range from $1,271 from Auto-Owners Insurance to $1,983 per year from Travelers. This is after you pay a typical $15 to $25 non-owner SR-22 filing fee. Most states require a three-year filing minimum.
Where to Buy Non-Owner Car Insurance
Not all car insurance companies offer non-driver car insurance or a non-owners insurance policy. However, a few major carriers do, including Nationwide, Liberty Mutual, and USAA. Coverage availability varies by state, however, so be sure to work with your local independent insurance agent to secure a policy. Further, non-owner policies typically can't be purchased online, so you'll need to speak with an agent directly or get a non-owner car insurance quote over the phone.
If you already have an insurance policy from a major carrier, such as home insurance or renters insurance, you may be able to save a lot of money by bundling your coverage. Check with your existing insurance company to see if they offer non-owner car insurance. If they do, ask whether they offer non-owner car insurance bundling discounts if you buy a second type of insurance through them.
How to Get a Non-Owner Car Insurance Quote: 5 Steps
Ready to get a quote for non-owner car insurance? Just follow these five easy steps:
- Confirm you actually need a non-owner policy.
- Prepare your driver's license and driving history information.
- Request quotes from three or more carriers in your area to find the best rate.
- Ask your carrier about bundling and pay-in-full discounts to reduce your rate.
- Confirm whether an SR-22 or FR-44 filing is required.
An independent insurance agent can also help shop and compare non-owner car insurance quotes from multiple carriers in your area to find the lowest rate.
How to Lower Your Non-Owner Car Insurance Rate
There are several car insurance discounts that can help you reduce your premium rate. Ask your carrier or independent insurance agent about the following discounts and how much you can save.
- Multi-policy discounts when bundling your coverage with renters insurance or home insurance (10%–17% savings)
- Pay-in-full discounts (5%–8% savings)
- Paperless/auto-pay discounts (3%–5% savings)
- Defensive driving course discounts (5%–10% savings)
- Good-student discounts (8%–25% savings)
Your independent insurance agent can apply any discounts you're eligible for to help you get cheap non-owner car insurance.
FAQs About Non-Owner Car Insurance
Can I get insurance without a car?
Yes. Even if you don't own a vehicle, you can still get car insurance. Ask your independent insurance agent to help you find non-owner car insurance to satisfy the legal minimum requirements for liability coverage in your state if you frequently drive vehicles belonging to others and you're not already listed on the owner's car insurance policy.
Can I insure a car that's not in my name?
No, you typically won't be able to get car insurance for someone else's car. However, you can get a non-owner car insurance policy to protect yourself while you drive someone else's vehicle if you're not already listed on their policy.
Does non-owner car insurance cover rental cars?
Yes, it can. Non-owner car insurance covers you against liability, such as property damage or bodily injury you cause to others with a vehicle. This can apply even if you're renting a vehicle from a company.
However, non-owner car insurance policies don't include collision or comprehensive coverage, so if you damage the rental vehicle, this type of policy won't cover it. You might need additional coverage from the rental company if you're worried about this type of damage. The rental company's collision damage waiver (CDW) is recommended.
How much does non-owner car insurance cost per month?
Non-owner car insurance ranges from $42-$48 per month for most drivers with clean records. However, drivers in certain states, such as NJ, CT, MI, and NY pay higher-than-average rates. The national average cost is $506 to $578 per year, depending on your carrier and location.
Does non-owner car insurance include collision or comprehensive?
No. Non-owner car policies don't have a specific vehicle attached to them, so they don't include physical damage protection. Make sure the owner of the vehicle has collision and comprehensive coverage to protect against any physical damage in case of an accident.
Can you get a non-owner SR-22 policy?
Yes, a non-owner SR-22 policy is one of the most common ways drivers reinstate a license without a vehicle. There's a typical filing fee of $15 to $25 and a three-year filing minimum.
Is non-owner car insurance primary or secondary coverage?
Secondary. The owner's policy pays first up to its limits, then non-owner insurance kicks in to make up the gap in coverage, up to your selected limits.
Will a non-owner policy keep my insurance history continuous?
Yes, and that's one of the main reasons non-owner car insurance is purchased. A continuous car insurance record prevents potential rate hikes that could otherwise occur if you have a coverage lapse when you buy a vehicle in the future.
An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find Non-Owner Car Insurance
The best way to find affordable non-owner car insurance is to contact a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to a number of car insurance companies and can shop around for multiple quotes to deliver an insurance package that meets your individual needs and budget. Find a local independent insurance agent today to get a non-owners car insurance quote.
Sources
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https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-non-owner-car-insurance/#cheapest-non-owner-sr22-rates
https://www.pressleygroup.com/sr-22-insurance/
https://www.progressive.com/answers/non-owner-car-insurance/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/non-owner-car-insurance-where-to-buy-and-what-it-covers/
https://www.usnews.com/insurance/glossary/non-owner-car-insurance/