Non-owner car insurance helps protect you against a financially crippling blow in the event that you are at-fault in an accident operating a vehicle not owned by you.
The liability insurance would coverage damages to others as a result of the accident after any primary insurance on the auto has been exhausted. In other words, non-owner is secondary insurance coverage that would pay for damages above and beyond what might be covered through the auto’s primary insurance.
Even if you don’t own a vehicle, having car insurance is recommended and based on where you live, it might be required.
Who is non-owner car insurance for?
Non-owner car insurance is geared toward:
- People who don’t own a car
- People who do not have regular access to an automobile
- People who rent vehicles frequently (short term, temporary rental – coverage may not cover the rented car itself)
- People who primarily take public transportation, yet may occasionally drive
What does non-owner car insurance cover?
If you cause an accident while borrowing or renting a vehicle, a non-owner policy would cover damages to other people’s vehicle and property damage you cause.
When you rent a vehicle, the rental company may offer similar coverage. However, the daily cost of this coverage can add up, especially if you’re renting for an extended period of time.
What doesn’t non-owner car insurance cover?
It does not cover damages to the vehicle you’re driving. Typically, non-owner car insurance does not include coverage for property damage or injuries you might suffer in an accident.
What does non-owner car insurance cost?
A non-owner policy is an extremely cost-effective alternative to a regular car insurance policy. Policies are purchased on a “per-driver” basis so each person must obtain their own separate insurance.
The cost can be very low, but ultimately depends on factors like how much coverage you’d like and your specific driving history. In addition, non-owner policies usually do not carry a deductible, and will have coverage limits.
What else can non-owner car insurance do?
Besides protecting you from major financial ramifications if you were to cause an accident, non-owner car insurance serves other valuable purposes:
- If your state requires insurance coverage for drivers who don’t own their own car, but have had issues such as DUI or DWI or major violations, a non-owner policy is an affordable, responsible way to satisfy that requirement.
- It can help you avoid a lapse in auto insurance coverage. Many insurance companies consider drivers without six months of continuous coverage to be a high risk driver, which can equal steeper insurance rates and/or surcharges.
Only you can decide what coverage is right for you, but non-owner car insurance can be an ideal solution in certain situations. If you are an ‘occasional driver’ this inexpensive policy can help keep you legal, responsible and financially protected.
In the end, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Top five reasons to consider Non-Owner car insurance
A non-owner car insurance policy can be an ideal solution in many cases. Here are the top five reasons to consider a non-owner policy:
- You are required to show proof of insurance. If you have a major violation on your driving record, don’t own a car, but still need to drive, your state may require liability coverage even if you don’t own a vehicle. A non-owner policy is a simple, affordable solution.
- You plan to borrow your friend’s car occasionally. Got a hot date? Need to transport a large purchase to your apartment and the subway isn’t going to cut it? Whatever the reason, if you plan on operating a vehicle that you do not own from time to time, it would be a smart move to have basic liability coverage in place. Based on where you live, it might even be required.
- You’re in-between vehicles. You’ve sold your old car, but haven’t gotten a new one yet. While you can technically cancel your previous auto insurance policy, swapping it for a less expensive non-owner car insurance policy will keep your coverage continuous.
- You can no longer afford to own a car, but may need to drive occasionally. Similar to being in-between vehicles, offloading your car doesn’t necessarily mean you should offload your insurance policy too. If you may need to drive on occasion in the future, a non-owner policy will protect you on the road. Plus, when your financial situation improves, chances are you will purchase a car again. Avoiding a lapse in coverage may help positively affect your insurance rate later on.
- You plan to rent a car occasionally. If you rent a car for more than 10 days a year, consider purchasing a non-owner policy. While you have the option of taking the basic pay-per-day insurance through the rental company, it may actually be less expensive in the end to get a small non-owner policy.
Even though car insurance may not be required in your state, it’s always a good idea to check out what options are available. A non-owner car insurance policy can help you protect yourself against possible financial ruin if you were to cause an accident.
It’s a small price to pay when you consider being stuck paying for thousands of dollars in damages. Call us at 888-344-4357 to begin a quote, or call one of our independent agents.
