Does The General Offer Non-Owner Car Insurance?

You can purchase non-owner car insurance from The General, depending on which state you live in. This type of insurance is cheaper than a standard auto policy.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
Yes,
The General
offers non-owner car insurance. The provider also offers non-owner SR-22 insurance for drivers who must show proof of
car insurance
to get their driver’s license reinstated. Non-owner insurance from The General is an affordable coverage option for people who drive often but don’t own their own car.
Keep reading if you’re interested in how you could benefit from purchasing a non-owner car insurance policy. 
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Should you get non-owner car insurance from The General?

Non-owner car insurance
from The General could be a good option for you if:
  • You regularly drive vehicles that someone else owns.
  • You often rent cars or use a carsharing service such as Zipcar.
  • You’re required to show proof of
    liability insurance
    so your license can be reinstated.
  • You need to apply for an
    SR-22
    or
    FR-44 certificate
    but you don’t own a vehicle.
  • You don’t want an
    insurance lapse
    in between selling your old car and buying a new one.
If you don’t have your own vehicle and regularly get around by borrowing one from a family member or friend—or you frequently drive a rental—you may want to consider non-owner car insurance
This is a cheaper coverage option than a standard auto insurance policy because it functions as a type of additional coverage. In other words, the vehicle you borrow is protected either by
rental car insurance
from the rental agency or by liability insurance purchased by the vehicle owner.
If you cause an accident, non-owner car insurance assists with compensating the other party’s damages alongside whatever insurance has already been purchased for the vehicle you’re driving at the time of the collision. This could end up being a huge life-saver for your wallet, considering
the average car accident costs thousands of dollars
Non-owner car insurance is also a good choice for drivers who don’t want to have a lapse in coverage while in between vehicles. If you’ve recently sold or gifted your car and plan to buy another but have yet to do so, maintaining continuous coverage with a non-owner policy could help you qualify for an
insurance discount
when you have your own car again. 
You may also be eyeing a non-owner insurance policy if you need to purchase and maintain liability coverage after a major driving violation like a DUI. Even if you’re not back on the road yet, SR-22 non-owner coverage can help you get one step closer to having your driver’s license reinstated. The General is known to offer affordable policies to
high-risk drivers

The average cost of The General non-owner auto insurance policy vs. traditional coverage

The average cost of non-owner car insurance from The General varies, but you should anticipate the cost to be between $500 and $800 per year. These numbers are lower than the prices for standard auto coverage. 
On average, a minimum liability policy with The General costs drivers about $1,394 per year, while full coverage (which includes policies for
comprehensive
and
collision
insurance) costs about $3,113 per year
Be advised that The General does not insure drivers who live in the following states:
All other U.S. residents can shop for car insurance with The General, but keep in mind that your home state is only partially responsible for determining the price of your premium. Factors such as your age, ZIP code, and driving record factor into the final quote you get from The General.  

What does non-owner car insurance cover?

Your non-owner car insurance policy functions just like basic liability coverage. This means it covers
bodily injury liability coverage
and
property damage liability coverage
per the minimum limits legally required in your state. If
personal injury protection (PIP)
,
medical payments coverage
, or
uninsured motorist coverage (UIM)
are also part of minimum liability coverage in your state, non-owner car insurance includes those as well. 
Non-owner car insurance does not reimburse you for damage to the vehicle you’re driving. To have repairs paid for by the insurance company, the car would need to be protected by collision insurance
MORE: Cheap car insurance for low-mileage drivers
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What other insurance companies offer non-owner policies?  

If you’re on the hunt for the most affordable non-owner insurance, you may want to check out rates with the following providers:
As you shop around, remember to specify whether you need non-owner car insurance or SR-22 non-owner car insurance. Not every provider offers this type of coverage in conjunction with an SR-22 filing

FAQ

It can be complicated. You must prove to the insurer that you have what’s referred to as insurable interest in the vehicle, which means you assume some level of ownership even though you’re not the registered owner. Most of the time, it’s easier to purchase a non-owner insurance policy to protect you while driving a vehicle you don’t own.
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