All about Non-Owner Car Insurance in Illinois
An Illinois non-owner car insurance policy can ensure liability protection and prevent a lapse in coverage if you don’t have a car.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Jessica Barrett
Illinois
non-owner car insurance
can provide supplemental liability coverage for people who have their driver’s license but not their own vehicle—providing additional protection if you get into an accident while borrowing a friend’s car or driving a rental. - Non-owner car insurance costs an average of $2,422 per year in Illinois.
- Illinois non-owner SR-22 insurance can be a good choice for drivers without a vehicle who need to fulfill SR-22 requirements.
- Non-owner car insurance policies must be purchased directly from the insurance agency or broker.
- Comparing non-owner car insurance quotes from at least 3–5 insurance companies is the best way to find low rates.
- Non-owner car insurance costs an average of $2,422 per year in Illinois.
- Illinois non-owner SR-22 insurance can be a good choice for drivers without a vehicle who need to fulfill SR-22 requirements.
- Non-owner car insurance policies must be purchased directly from the insurance agency or broker.
- Comparing non-owner car insurance quotes from at least 3–5 insurance companies is the best way to find low rates.
The average cost of non-owner car insurance in Illinois is $2,422
Average cost of minimum liability insurance in Illinois | Average cost of non-owner insurance in Illinois | Average cost of non-owner SR-22 insurance in Illinois |
|---|---|---|
$1854 | $2422 | $2574 |
Methodology: Data collected from Jerry’s carrier review survey reveals the average rate of minimum liability coverage for a single car and driver with a clean driving record in Illinois, as well as the average cost of non-owner and non-owner SR-22 policies quoted in Illinois.
Non-owner insurance rates are cheaper than standard insurance on average
In most cases, non-owner insurance rates are cheaper than standard auto insurance. This is due to a couple of factors:
- Liability-only coverage: Non-owner insurance providesliability-only auto insurance, which only covers damages to the other driver’s vehicle. This makes it cheaper thanfull coverage policiesthat pay for damage to the policyholder's own vehicle.
- Reduced risk: Insurance companies perceive less risk for a driver with limited access to a vehicle as opposed to one who drives regularly.
As with other insurance policies, the exact cost of non-owner car insurance will vary based on several factors like your location, coverage limits, and driving history in Illinois.
To find the best rate on your non-owners car insurance policy, check out quotes from at least 3–5 different companies or use a
trusted car insurance broker
like Jerry
to collect quotes on your behalf. 8 of the top 10 biggest auto insurers in Illinois offer non-owners insurance
When it comes to car insurance companies, size isn't everything—although it can be a good starting point when you're
comparing insurance quotes
. Eight of the top 10 auto insurers with the largest market share in Illinois offer non-owners car insurance coverage: - Allstate
- Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
- American Family Insurance
- Liberty Mutual
- USAA(only available to veterans and current members of the military and their families)
- Travelers
Need to know: You won't usually find the option to buy non-owners car insurance directly from an insurer's website. Instead, you'll need to reach out to the company or a car insurance broker and speak with an agent on the phone.
Do you need non-owner car insurance?
Do you need non-owner car insurance?
You might need it if you: | You may not need it if you: |
|---|---|
Sometimes borrow cars from people you don't live with Rent cars frequently Often use car-sharing services Want to avoid a lapse in car insurance coverage Need an SR-22 certificate but don't have a vehicle Are getting your license in a state with an insurance requirement | Live with someone who owns a car Rent cars infrequently Have your own car Don't plan to own a car any time soon |
Learn More
Illinois non-owner insurance is a supplemental liability policy
Non-owner’s car insurance policies are comprised of liability-only coverage, meaning they will only provide coverage for damages and medical expenses incurred by the other driver(s) involved if you cause an accident. It does not extend coverage to your own vehicle.
What that means:
- Coverage options are limited: Since a non-owners insurance policy isn’t attached to a specific vehicle, you can’t purchase options like collision coverage or comprehensive coverage.
- Mandated coverages are still included: A non-owner policy will include your state’s mandatory minimum insurance requirements—which may extend to protections outside of liability insurance. Sinceuninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is mandatory in Illinois, you can expect to see it on your non-owner policy.
Need to know: Non-owner coverage is one of the only types of insurance that follows the driver rather than the vehicle—meaning it only covers the policyholder. A non-owner policy will not pay for damage to the car you’re driving or for any medical costs incurred by yourself or your passengers.
A supplemental policy pays out after the primary coverage limits are met
Whether you typically rent cars or drive a borrowed car from a friend or family member, it should already be covered by a standard auto insurance policy—either the vehicle owner’s personal insurance policy or
rental car insurance
. In the event of an accident, that primary policy will pay out first. But if that coverage is exhausted, you could still be found responsible for the remaining costs of damages. Even a collision involving an older vehicle could result in substantial repair bills and potential medical expenses for injured parties that could leave you owing thousands.
If you have non-owner insurance, it will pay up to your policy limits (usually the state minimum liability requirements) for any vehicle damages or medical bills left over after the primary policy pays out.
- $20,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 in property damage liability
- $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Here’s a real-world example of what you can expect if you’re in an accident with non-owner insurance:
Let's say you borrowed your neighbor's truck to help a friend move to a new apartment. While driving through a busy intersection, you accidentally collide with another vehicle, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles and causing injuries to the occupants of the other car.
If your neighbor has a minimum liability insurance policy for their truck, their policy would typically cover up to $20,000 for property damage to the other vehicle and up to $50,000 in medical expenses per injured person. If you have a non-owner policy with Illinois’ minimum liability limits, it would also pay for the remaining property damage and medical bills up to the same amount.
Even as a supplemental policy, choosing the minimum coverage could leave you owing out of pocket. We recommend raising the coverage limits on your non-owner policy—it usually only adds a few extra dollars per month to your premium, and it could make all the difference if you cause an accident.
Note: Like most liability-only policies, non-owner auto insurance generally doesn’t require you to pay a deductible.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Illinois
In Illinois, the average cost of non-owner SR-22 insurance is $2574.
An
Illinois SR-22
can be issued by insurance companies to prove that you meet the state’s financial responsibility laws by carrying at least the minimum amount of required coverage. The state of Illinois requires an SR-22 certificate for high-risk drivers convicted of the following: - Reckless or distracted driving
- Driving without insurance coverage
- Driving with a suspended license
- Unsatisfied judgment suspensions or revoked license
- Repeat or severe driving violations
You must be able to provide proof of insurance coverage if you have an SR-22 requirement—otherwise, you could face additional fines and penalties and you’ll have to restart your SR-22 period.
If you don’t have a vehicle, a non-owner SR-22 policy can help you stay compliant.
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Can you get car insurance on a car you don’t own in Illinois?
In most cases, no. In Illinois, you cannot take out a car insurance policy on a vehicle you don’t own—but you can be added to the policy as an additional driver.
If you’re a driver who frequently borrows or rents vehicles, a non-owner car insurance policy can offer supplemental liability protection if you’re ever in an accident while driving someone else’s vehicle. Note that the owner’s primary policy will pay out first.
Does your car have to be in your name to insure it in Illinois?
When it comes to car insurance, most insurance companies prefer that the policyholder is also the vehicle owner. While some providers may be willing to insure a car that’s not in your name, it’s typically better to appear on the policy as an additional driver.
If you’re looking for individual coverage on a vehicle you don’t own, you can purchase a non-owner insurance policy to provide extra protection.
Do you need insurance to drive someone else’s car in Illinois?
It depends. If you occasionally find yourself borrowing a friend’s ride or renting one out, it’s likely you won’t need your own insurance policy. Insurance companies allow for “permissible use,” which means that if your friend permits you to borrow their car, their coverage will extend to you while you’re driving it.
When renting a vehicle you have the option to purchase rental insurance from the company if you don’t have your own policy.
On the other hand, if you’re frequently borrowing or renting cars, it may be good to have a non-owner policy in place. This will provide additional protection when you’re behind the wheel of someone else’s vehicle.
How much is SR-22 insurance in Illinois?
On average, SR-22 insurance costs $1,996 per year in Illinois. Keep in mind that auto insurance rates can vary significantly based on your demographics, driving record, and location—and SR-22 policies are typically more expensive than standard ones.
