I am required to carry a SR-22 but don't own a vehicle. What should I do?

You’ll need to buy a non-owner’s auto insurance policy.

Insurance companies know that sometimes there is a requirement by a state regulatory entity, or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), for the insurer to certify that a driver has the ability to pay future auto accident claims up to the certain mandated limits. 

This certification is done by means of a form called an SR-22, which can only be filed by car insurance companies after you have obtained the state-mandated coverages as part of a car insurance policy, and can be required whether you own a car or not.  (See "SR-22: The questions drivers ask most.")

Certain non-car owners are mandated to obtain car insurance and carry an SR-22 to verify financial responsibility because states are aware that it’s possible for these individuals to be negligent and harm other people and their property while driving, even if the car they’re operating isn’t owned by them.

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A non-owner’s policy is confusing to some, but it shouldn’t be.  It’s not a coverage but instead a policy description for when you have car insurance but don't own a car to insure. 

Each state is different, but as a general rule a non-owner’s car insurance policy won’t cover you for a vehicle registered to you, one in your household, or a vehicle provided for your regular and frequent use, so don’t purchase a non-owner’s policy if any of these scenarios apply.

Some believe this policy type is the magic bullet of coverage; it’s not.  A non-owner’s policy only covers liability up to the limits purchased and this coverage is usually secondary to that of the auto insurance policy of the actual car owner.

A non owner’s policy will include bodily injury liability and property damage liability.   Depending upon the state in which you live and the car insurance company you’re using, you may also be able to include medical payments, uninsured motorist and underinsured insured motorist coverages as part of the policy.

This type of policy doesn’t offer physical damage coverages of collision or comprehensive, so any car that you do drive isn’t covered in any way by your non-owner’s policy if you damage it. 

You may obtain a non-owner's liability SR-22 insurance policy with some of our partner companies by clicking on this link and entering your zip code.   Remember, it’s the state that is requiring you to obtain certain liability coverages and the SR-22, not the auto insurers, so not all car insurance providers offer to file SR-22s.

If we offer the ability to get an online non-owner’s policy in your state, then the Vehicles page will list this:
"Check this box if you do not own a vehicle and would like to purchase a non-owner’s policy." If this option is not available, please call our sales center so they can assist you in purchasing a non-owner’s policy and getting your SR-22 filed with the state.

If at any time during your policy period you do purchase a car, you’ll need to alert your car insurance carrier immediately so that you can change your policy over to an owner’s policy. If you fail to inform your auto insurer of the change and you’re in an accident, then coverages under the non-owner’s policy may be denied.