If you are a licensed driver but don’t have a car registered in your name, non-owner auto insurance coverage can help provide much-needed financial protection when you borrow or rent a vehicle.
Contact the agents at Gene Smith Insurance Agency in Zephyrhills and Dade City, Florida, to learn more about how to get appropriate auto insurance.
What Is Non-owner Car Insurance?
A non-owner car insurance policy helps cover your legal liability for third-party injuries and property damage if you cause an accident while driving a car you do not own. 
This policy is designed for people who drive regularly but don’t own a vehicle, such as those who rent or borrow a car frequently. Liability insurance can help protect your other assets, like your home or savings, if you cause an accident. Without liability coverage, you could be personally liable for paying for any damage you cause out of pocket.
What Coverages Are Included with Non-owner Car Insurance?
A standard non-owner auto insurance policy may help cover the following:
- Your legal defense if you are sued for causing a car accident
- Repairs to someone else’s car or other property if you cause damage while driving
- Medical bills for another driver, passenger or pedestrian if you cause injuries while driving
Depending on your situation, your agent may recommend that you customize your non-owners insurance policy with personal injury protection (PIP), which helps pay your medical bills after an accident. If you borrow a car, the owner’s PIP coverage may help pay your medical bills, so consult your agent to understand how these coverages may work together.
In general, non-owner auto insurance is considered secondary coverage. If the vehicle you borrow is insured, that policy will pay up to the policy’s limits before your coverage kicks in.
Non-owner car insurance does not include collision and comprehensive coverage, which helps cover the car you borrow or rent if it’s damaged in an at-fault accident. This coverage may also provide coverage if you hit an animal in the road or the car is vandalized, stolen or damaged by severe weather.
Who Needs Non-owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner car insurance can be a good fit for numerous situations, including the following:
- You want to avoid a gap in car insurance. Insurers may see drivers with a gap in coverage as high-risk, which could cause your premiums to go up in the future.
- You use car-sharing services like Zipcar or CarHopper. These services typically provide minimum liability coverage, which may not be enough to cover your legal liability for third-party bodily injury and property damage.
- You often rent cars. Purchasing a non-owners liability policy from your agent can be much less expensive than buying the policy offered by the rental car company.
How to Get Non-owner Auto Insurance
Non-owner auto insurance is a specialty policy that your agent can help you get at a great rate. Contact Gene Smith Agency today to get the auto insurance coverage you need.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.