Non-owner car insurance covers people who drive but don’t own a car. This type of insurance provides liability coverage, which means it will cover any damages or injuries that you may cause to others while driving someone else’s vehicle. It’s important as it offers peace of mind and financial protection, saving you from potential out-of-pocket expenses from accidental liabilities.
Non-owner car insurance is usually cheaper than standard car insurance since it doesn’t cover a California driver’s vehicle. The cost varies depending on factors such as driving record, age, years of driving experience and location.
Carinsurance.com Insights
- Non-owner car insurance costs an average of $25 a month in California for the coverage limit of 15/30/5.
- The non-owner car insurance rate is $299 per year—lower than liability-only coverage of $864 for California drivers.
- Kemper offers the cheapest non-owner car insurance rates in California at an average cost of $12 per month.
Do I need non-owner car insurance in California?
Non-owner car insurance in California is crucial for individuals who frequently rent or borrow vehicles. It provides liability coverage if you cause an accident while driving a vehicle not owned by you, protecting you from potential out-of-pocket expenses. It can also supplement any existing coverage the car owner may have.
Non-owner car insurance is ideal for those who occasionally rent or borrow cars for personal or business purposes. Rather than opting for the expensive insurance offered by rental companies, you can get non-owner car insurance that offers similar coverage at a more affordable price.
Furthermore, maintaining continuous insurance coverage, including non-owner insurance when you’re between cars, can help keep your insurance rates low in the future. It can protect you if you’re involved in an accident and are found to be at fault. However, it doesn’t provide coverage for the vehicle you’re driving.
Average non-owner car insurance cost in California
Non-owner car insurance costs $25 a month or $299 per year in California for coverage limits of 15/30/5.
This rate can vary depending on factors such as your driving history, age, location and the insurance company.
Cheapest non-owner car insurance companies in California
CarInsurance.com’s analysis shows that Kemper offers the most affordable non-owner car insurance rates in California, at $12 per month. Other insurers like Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) and Farmers also offer affordable premiums.
Non-owner auto insurance rates may vary based on your driving record, ZIP code, and coverage needs. It’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rate for your specific situation.
See the cheapest companies for non-owner car insurance in California in the table below.
| Company | Annual full coverage rates | Monthly full coverage rates |
|---|---|---|
| Kemper | $145 | $12 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $173 | $14 |
| Farmers | $215 | $18 |
| Mercury Insurance | $304 | $25 |
| Travelers | $371 | $31 |
| Nationwide | $376 | $31 |
| Progressive | $384 | $32 |
| Geico | $391 | $33 |
| State Farm | $440 | $37 |
| USAA* | $197 | $16 |
Compare non-owner car insurance rates in neighboring states
Non-owner auto insurance in the biggest California cities
In San Diego the average cost of non-owner auto insurance is $25 per month or $298 per year, and San Jose drivers pay $25 a month for the same coverage.
Insurance rates vary by city in California. Car insurance companies consider the rate of accidents, theft, and vandalism in a particular area when determining the premiums for non-owner car insurance.
The cost of living is another factor that influences non-owner car insurance rates. Cities with higher costs of living in California generally pay higher insurance premiums, including non-owner car insurance.
See how much you’ll pay for non-owner car insurance in your city in the table below.
| City | Annual full coverage rates | Monthly full coverage rates |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $298 | $25 |
| San Jose | $299 | $25 |
| Bakersfield | $303 | $25 |
| Fresno | $307 | $26 |
| Oakland | $317 | $26 |
| San Francisco | $319 | $27 |
| Sacramento | $326 | $27 |
| Anaheim | $341 | $28 |
| Long Beach | $357 | $30 |
| Los Angeles | $422 | $35 |
Affordable non-owner insurance in California, by ZIP code
A 40-year-old California driver living in ZIP 96094 pays $208 a year or $17 per month for non-owner car insurance, whereas insurance rates in the ZIP code 96093 is $212 a year or $18 per month for a driver age with a clean driving record.
When should you consider buying non-owner car insurance in California?
Non-owner car insurance provides coverage for drivers who don’t own a car but still need insurance while driving someone else’s vehicle. This insurance primarily covers liability, helping you pay for any damages or injuries you may cause to others in the event of an accident.
Aside from providing coverage for accidents, non-owner car insurance can also supplement any existing coverage the car owner may have. It can offer peace of mind to the car owner, as they will not have to worry about their own insurance rates increasing due to an accident caused by someone else.
For example, if you’re driving a friend’s vehicle with only basic liability coverage, your non-owner insurance can help cover the extra costs if the damages exceed their policy’s coverage limits.
Keeping continuous insurance coverage is key to securing lower rates in the future. This includes having non-owner car insurance when you don’t own a vehicle. Insurance companies often see gaps in coverage as a sign of high risk, which could lead to higher premiums.
By having non-owner car insurance during these gaps, you are demonstrating responsible and continuous insurance coverage, which can help keep your rates low in the future.
Final thoughts on non-owner car insurance in California
Non-owner car insurance is a good option in California to get auto insurance liability coverage if you rent or borrow vehicles occasionally, use a car-sharing service or need to file an SR-22 form.
Non-owner car insurance provides valuable liability protection for individuals who regularly rent or borrow cars while behind the wheel. It can also work alongside the car owner’s coverage to offer additional protection.
Non-owner car insurance is a smart way to maintain continuous coverage, helping you secure lower rates in the future. If you drive cars that aren’t your own regularly, be sure to get quotes from different companies to find the best rate.
Resources & Methodology
Methodology
CarInsurance.com gathered data on non-owner car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services. The rates are for non-owner state minimum liability only and the coverage limit varies by state.
To determine non-owner car insurance rates for different companies, CarInsurance.com used a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver who owns a Honda Accord LX with no traffic violations on his record. We compared 53,409,632 insurance quotes across 34,588 ZIP codes from 170 insurance companies in the U.S.
Insurance company: Based on the analysis, we have created lists of the companies that offer non-owner insurance. USAA also made it to the list, but it provides services only to current and former military members and their families.
Age group: Non-owner car insurance rates are calculated by evaluating the sample profile for different age groups.
- Teens: Age 16-19
- Young adults: Age 20-24
- Adult drivers: Age 25-60
- Senior drivers: Age 65-75
To get non-owner car insurance rates for different cities and age groups we have compared 53,409,632 car insurance quotes across 34,588 ZIP codes from 75 company groups nationwide. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparison purposes.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparison purposes.
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