All about Non-Owner Car Insurance in Texas
The average Texas non-owner car insurance policy costs $2,709 and can protect you if you get into an accident while driving someone else’s car.
Written by Amy Bobinger
Edited by Jessica Barrett
If you have a Texas driver’s license but don’t own a vehicle, a
non-owner policy
can provide secondary liability car insurance coverage if you cause an accident while driving a borrowed or rented car.- You’ll typically need to call and speak to an insurance agent to purchase non-owner insurance.
- If you have a Texas SR-22 requirement but don’t own a car, non-owner SR-22 insurance can help you stay in compliance.
- You’ll typically need to call and speak to an insurance agent to purchase non-owner insurance.
- If you have a Texas SR-22 requirement but don’t own a car, non-owner SR-22 insurance can help you stay in compliance.
The average cost of Texas non-owner liability insurance is $2,709
Average cost of minimum liability insurance in Texas | Average cost of minimum liability non-owner insurance in Texas | Average cost of non-owner SR-22 insurance in Texas |
|---|---|---|
$2,314 | $2,709 | $2,949 |
Methodology
Based on Jerry’s carrier review survey, we calculated the average cost of minimum insurance quoted for a single car and a single driver with a good driving record in Texas, as well as the average cost of non-owner and non-owner SR-22 policies quoted in Texas.
On average, non-owner rates are cheaper than standard insurance
There are two main reasons for this:
- It’s a liability insurance policy:Liability insuranceonly pays for damage you cause to other vehicles in an at-fault crash and costs less thanfull coverage, which also pays for damage to the driver’s vehicle.
- You probably drive less: Non-owner policies are also typically cheaper than standard liability-only insurance—probably because if you don’t have a car, you’re expected to drive less (and take on less risk) than if you owned a vehicle.
Still, your non-owner car insurance cost is dependent on a number of factors including your location, your age, and your
Texas driving record
.To make sure you’re saving the most on your non-owner car insurance costs,
compare insurance quotes
from at least 3–5 insurance companies. And if you need a hand, call a trusted car insurance broker
like Jerry
to help you compare rates online!All 10 of the nation’s biggest insurers offer non-owner car insurance
When you’re shopping for specialized coverage like a non-owner auto insurance policy, it can be helpful to start by checking rates from some of the largest insurance companies.
Of the insurance providers with the largest market share in the US, all 10 offer non-owner policies:
Need to know: Non-owner quotes typically aren’t available online, so you’ll need to call and speak to an insurance agent or licensed broker to get your personalized rates.
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
Texas non-owner auto insurance is a supplemental liability policy
Non-owner car insurance only includes liability protection. That means if you cause an accident, the policy will only cover damages and medical bills for the other parties involved. It won’t pay for damage to the car you were driving.
A couple of important things to note:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) and medical payments coverage (MedPay) aren’t required in Texas, so they won’t be automatically included—though personal injury protection (PIP) should be.
- This type of policy follows you instead of a specific vehicle, so you can’t add collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or rental reimbursement. It can’t be transferred to another driver, either—non-owner insurance only applies to the policyholder.
A supplemental policy pays out after the primary coverage is exhausted
Whether you’re using a vehicle-sharing service, renting a truck, or driving a friend’s car, the vehicle owner is legally responsible for insuring their own car with a traditional car insurance policy or rental car insurance. If you cause an accident, that primary policy should pay out first.
If the damage to the other vehicle costs more than the vehicle owner’s policy will cover, you could be left paying for the remainder of the bills yourself. With vehicle prices and medical costs soaring to all-time highs, that could mean thousands of dollars out of your pocket.
If you have a non-owner policy, it will pay out once the primary policy limits have been met, covering the remainder up to your own policy limits. If you purchase just enough to meet the
Texas state minimum liability requirements
, that would include:- $30,000 bodily injury per person
- $60,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability
For additional protection, you can increase the limits of your policy—usually for only a few dollars extra each month.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Texas
If you’ve been convicted of a serious traffic violation that led to a license suspension, you may be required to file a
Texas SR-22 form
with the court to prove that you meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements. Violations that can lead to an SR-22 requirement in Texas include:
- Driving on an invalid license
- Having your license suspended due to a car crash
- Receiving two or more convictions for driving with no insurance
- Having a civil judgment against you
- Drug-related offenses
With an SR-22 requirement, you’re required to maintain continuous car insurance coverage—even if you don’t own a vehicle. A non-owner policy can help you fulfill the state requirements so you can get your license back. The average cost of a non-owner liability-only policy with an SR-22 certificate is $2949.
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FAQs
Can you get insurance on a car you don’t own in Texas?
Typically, you need to own a vehicle to insure it. If you frequently drive a vehicle that isn’t yours, consider a non-owner policy to supplement the vehicle owner’s coverage.
What is the cheapest non-owner SR-22 insurance in Texas?
Insurance companies all calculate their rates a little differently so there’s no single answer for who could give you the lowest rate. Compare car insurance quotes from 3–5 insurance providers to be sure you’re getting the best rate.
Can I drive my friend’s car without insurance in Texas?
It is illegal to drive an uninsured car in Texas. That said, if your friend has car insurance on their vehicle and you have permission to drive it, you’ll be covered by their insurance as long as you’re not excluded as a driver on their policy.
What is a non-owned insurance policy?
A non-owned policy is a type of business insurance. It covers employees who occasionally drive their personal vehicles for work purposes—this use is often excluded from personal policies.
Does insurance follow the car or driver in Texas?
A standard car insurance policy follows the vehicle in Texas and other states. If you need an insurance policy and don’t have a car, you can purchase a non-owner policy.
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