Do You Need Car Insurance if You Don't Own a Car?
Owning car insurance without owning a car might sound silly, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea—even if you don't plan on driving. If you don’t own an automobile and, therefore, do not have auto insurance, you can and should buy a temporary or annual insurance policy.
Why Get Non-Owner Car Insurance?
If you ever want to drive while traveling, or want to prevent your future rates from spiking due to a lapse in coverage, you may need to consider "non-owner" coverage.
What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner insurance (also known as non-driver insurance) provides you with liability coverage for any bodily injury or property damage you cause when you're driving a car you do not own. A typical non-owner policy will include Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability, and some insurance companies also offer Medical Payments coverage and uninsured/under-insured Motorist coverage.
Who Needs Non-Owner Car Insurance?
You are applying for a driver's license in a state that requires proof of financial responsibility and you do not own a car.
You are regularly renting cars or driving cars that do not belong to you and are not listed as a driver on the vehicle owner's policy, a non-owner policy would serve as your primary liability coverage.
You are in-between cars, a non-owner policy could help you maintain a history of continuous coverage and avoid being labeled a high-risk driver.
You are trying to reinstate your driver's license and are required to file an SR22 or an FR44 with the state and you don't own a car.
Who Doesn't Need Non-Owner Car Insurance?
You own a car – in which case, you'd purchase a traditional owner policy that complies with your state's minimum financial responsibility requirements.
You don't have a driver's license and will not be obtaining one within 30-days of starting the non-owners policy.
There is a vehicle owned by someone in your household like your mom, son, or daughter….If there’s a vehicle in your household, you'll usually be required to be listed on the car owner's policy.
A non-owner car insurance policy will not include Comprehensive, Collision, Rental Reimbursement, or Towing, since the policy is not attached to a specific vehicle. If you don’t own a car but frequently use one, it may be time to reconsider your coverage.
Protect Yourself
Before taking the wheel, make sure you're adequately insured. Get a free quote or compare policies by speaking with one of our insurance consultants. It’s our job to seek out the best coverage from the best providers so we can guarantee you’re paying the best price every year.
