Non-owner car insurance is designed for individuals who often drive vehicles they don’t own. It provides liability coverage, which pays for property damage or bodily injuries you cause while driving someone else’s car. It offers financial protection and peace of mind, helping you avoid substantial, unexpected expenses should an accident occur.
Non-owner car insurance generally costs less than standard car insurance because it doesn’t cover the vehicle you’re driving. However, insurance rates vary based on your age, driving history and location.
- 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.
One common scenario where non-owner car insurance comes into play is when individuals frequently rent cars for personal or business use. Instead of purchasing insurance through the rental car company, which can be expensive, non-owner car insurance can provide similar coverage at a more affordable cost.
Additionally, keeping continuous insurance coverage, such as non-owner insurance when you’re between vehicles, can help keep your insurance premiums lower in the future. It offers coverage if you’re involved in an accident and deemed at fault. However, it does not cover the vehicle you are driving.
Average non-owner car insurance cost in California
California drivers can expect to pay an average of $25 per month or $299 annually for non-owner car insurance with a coverage limit of 15/30/5.
This rate may be higher or lower based on your driving profile, age, location and insurance company.
Cheapest non-owner car insurance companies in California
Kemper offers the cheapest non-owner car insurance rates in California at an average cost of $12 per month, based on CarInsurance.com’s analysis. Other than Kemper, Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) and Farmers also have cheap non-owner insurance premiums.
Non-owner auto insurance rates can differ depending on your driving history, ZIP code and coverage requirements. You should compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rate for your needs.
Below is a table showing the cheapest companies for non-owner car insurance in California.
| 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 |
Note: *USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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.
Car insurance premiums in California vary by city, with insurers adjusting non-owner car insurance rates based on factors such as the frequency of accidents, theft and vandalism in the area.
Another factor that affects non-owner car insurance rates is the cost of living. Higher living expenses in any California city can lead to higher insurance rates overall, 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 is for individuals who don’t own a vehicle but still need coverage when driving someone else’s car. It generally offers liability coverage, which protects you if you cause damage or injury to others while driving a rented or borrowed vehicle.
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 are driving a friend’s car and they only have minimum liability coverage, your non-owner insurance can help cover any additional expenses if the accident exceeds their policy limits.
Maintaining continuous coverage is essential to help keep your insurance rates low in the future. Non-owner car insurance is an excellent option if you don’t own a car. Insurance companies may view lapses in coverage as risky, which can lead to higher premiums.
Having non-owner car insurance during these gaps demonstrates your commitment to continuous coverage, which can help you maintain lower rates moving forward.
Final thoughts on non-owner car insurance in California
Non-owner car insurance is an excellent choice in California if you occasionally rent or borrow vehicles, use a car-sharing service or need to file an SR-22 form.
Non-owner car insurance is a valuable type of coverage for individuals who frequently rent or borrow vehicles. It provides liability protection while driving someone else’s car and can supplement any existing coverage the car owner may have.
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.
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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