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You may be able to insure a car not in your name, but it might be tough to get coverage. A key way to obtain coverage while driving a car you don't own is by purchasing non-owner car insurance. Other options include being added to the car owner's policy or the car title.
Can You Insure a Car You Don't Own?
You may be able to insure a car you don't own. However, non-owner car insurance doesn't actually cover the owner's car. A typical car insurance policy follows your vehicle. But when it comes to non-owner car insurance, the coverage follows the policyholder.
Still, non-owner car insurance provides basic liability-only coverage that offers some financial protection for the non-owner.
It's worth noting that non-owner car insurance isn't available in every state. Therefore, you'll need to check with a car insurer or your state's insurance commissioner to find out whether non-owner car insurance is sold where you live.
In many cases, auto insurers sell non-owner car insurance as a standalone policy that applies only to the policyholder and no one else, such as a relative who lives with them.
What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner car insurance may be ideal for a driver who isn't a vehicle owner and doesn't live with a vehicle owner but regularly borrows vehicles that belong to other drivers. Or it might be a good option for drivers who are between cars or frequently rent cars.
In addition, you might need to buy non-owner SR-22 or FR-44 car insurance if you don't own a car and have had a drunk driving conviction that led to suspension or revocation of your driver's license. This type of insurance might also be required if, for instance, you've racked up too many traffic violations or you caused a car accident when you weren't insured.
Fortunately, non-owner car insurance typically costs less than standard car insurance.
What Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Include?
Non-owner car insurance typically provides liability coverage in case you're involved in an accident while you're behind the wheel of a car you don't own. The liability coverage pays for injuries suffered by others (bodily injury liability) or property belonging to others (property damage liability).
As a result, non-owner car insurance wouldn't pay for treating injuries suffered by the non-owner or fixing damage to the owner's car.
Aside from liability coverage, non-owner insurance might include medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage along with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
What Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Not Include?
Generally, non-owner car insurance doesn't offer the following coverage:
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Towing
- Rental reimbursement coverage
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that's not connected to a crash. Incidents that normally fall under comprehensive coverage include fires, vandalism, hailstorms and fallen objects. Meanwhile, collision insurance covers accident-related damage to your car when you hit another vehicle or object.
It's important to note that non-owner car insurance is secondary coverage rather than primary coverage. This means the car owner's coverage kicks in first, paying claims that go up to the policy limits. If the policy limits are reached, the non-owner's secondary coverage takes effect.
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How to Insure a Car You Don't Own
Non-owner car insurance is one option for obtaining insurance when you're driving a car that you don't own. Here are a few alternatives:
- Proving an insurable interest: You may be able to secure coverage if you can demonstrate that you have an insurable interest in a car that you don't own. For example, this car might be the only way you can get to and from work. If you go this route, be aware that it's difficult to prove an insurable interest.
- Getting added to the owner's policy: Asking the car owner to add you to their policy may be an option. However, it might be hard to qualify for coverage if you live at an address that's different from the car owner's address.
- Changing the car's title: Getting your name added to the car title could make it easier to get coverage. The ability to do this varies from state to state.
Another tempting option may be to drive without car insurance. But doing so could get you into legal and financial trouble, as nearly every state requires motorists to carry a minimum amount of coverage.
Learn more >> Do You Need Auto Insurance if You Don't Own a Car?
Challenges of Insuring a Car You Don't Own
Insuring a car you don't own may present challenges that insuring your own car does not.
- Non-owner car insurance applies to the policyholder and not to the owner's car.
- Some states don't allow the sale of non-owner car insurance.
- Some insurers don't offer non-owner car insurance.
- It may be difficult to find quotes for non-owner car insurance.
- Non-owner car insurance normally provides less coverage than traditional car insurance does.
- Obtaining coverage by proving insurable interest in a car may be difficult.
- Getting added to the car owner's policy may be tough if you don't live with the owner.
The Bottom Line
Obtaining insurance for a car that's not in your name is not easy, but it can be done. However, some states and insurers may not provide the kind of coverage needed to protect a car that you don't own. To get car insurance quotes, use Experian's free quote comparison tool.