Insurance companies policies and classifications of drivers can differ but individual automobile insurance policies are generally classified as either owner's policies, operator's policies or some combination of the two.

Usually this distinction is used when a company is required to file an SR22 with state, on your behalf. The company needs to know which filing fits your situation.

• Owner-Operator SR22 Filing:
  Provides coverage to the vehicle listed on the policy and to the vehicles you drive that are not owned by you or a member of your household.
• Operator SR22 Filing:
  Provides coverage when you do not own a vehicle. It covers you when you drive any car or truck not owned by you or a member of your household. Sometimes referred to as a non-owners policy.
• Owner SR22 Filing:
  Provides coverage when you own a car. Coverage is limited to only the car listed on the policy.

The basic difference between an owner's policy and an operator's policy is that with an owner's policy it protects the owner as the named insured. An owner's policy also normally protects any other person using the insured vehicle with the owner's permission. It does not protect against liability resulting from the use of a motor vehicle not described in the policy though.

An operator's policy, on the other hand, protects the named insured against liability arising from the use of any motor vehicle. So an operator’s policy is different than standard owner's liability insurance. This insurance coverage insures the driver or operator, not the car. In other words, the driver or operator would be insured no matter what vehicle was driven. This insurance coverage would not cover another driver or person using your car with or without your consent.

You can learn more about insurance terms by using our Learning Center which has insurance terms and coverage definitions as well as a coverage calculator to determine what types of auto insurance may best fit your needs.