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.

You’re a ‘High Risk’ Driver?! Can You Get Lower Insurance Rates?

You may have a driving record that isn’t perfect (it happens), and you’re trying to get car insurance. The good news is, you can find affordable high risk car insurance if you look in the right places. First, understand why you’re considered a high-risk driver.

High Risk Driver Traits

• Recently received your driver’s license

• Multiple at-fault accidents

• Speeding tickets or other traffic citations

• Convicted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

• Owning a particularly specialized or high-valued car

• Below average credit history.

So You’re a High Risk Driver….What Do You Do Now?

Flexible, affordable car insurance for high risk drivers does exist! The ‘High Risk’ label won’t follow you for life. As time goes on, given you don’t cause any more violations, your risk level will decrease. Of course, this varies case by case. Typically, your rates will begin to lower after being accident-free for three years. This is dependent on your particular reasons for being high-risk. For example, DUIs are more serious than speeding tickets.

Can You Bring Down Your Rate?

While high-risk drivers will see a higher cost on their insurance, there are still ways to bring it down. When you use the right research techniques or talk to the right insurance consultants, it’s easier to find discounts than you may think. Some common discount qualifiers include:

• Not driving often

• Renewing your insurance in advance

• Homeowner’s discount

• Having a short commute

Regardless, after a certain amount of time, your driving penalties (accidents, speeding tickets, etc.) should fall off your record. Then your insurer might also reward you for attending specific traffic safety schools or defensive driving courses to clean up your driving record.

Be Patient and Protect Yourself

We may not have a magic wand to make it all go away immediately, but Sanders Insurance will be able to help you significantly decrease your price over time. When you compare a premium to how costly it can be to drive without insurance, paying for a policy isn’t bad at all. Remember to be patient and continue practicing safe driving in the meantime.