Methodology: We derived the average costs based on Jerry's carrier review survey for a single car and a single driver with an excellent driving record in Washington, alongside the average costs of non-owner and non-owner SR-22 policies quoted in the state.

Non-owner insurance rates are cheaper than standard insurance on average

Why it’s less:

Non-owner insurance is limited to

liability coverage

. This type of insurance only covers damage to the other driver's vehicle, making it less expensive than a

full coverage policy

that would also cover damage to the policyholder’s vehicle.

Premiums for non-owner policies are often cheaper than regular liability-only policies, as insurance companies tend to view drivers who don't have regular access to a vehicle as a lesser risk.

As with all insurance policies, your premiums will depend on various factors, including your location, coverage limits, and driving history in Washington.

To secure the best possible price for your non-owner car insurance policy, we recommend comparing rates from three to five car insurance companies before settling. You can also leverage a

trusted car insurance broker

Jerry

—our agents are just a call away!

Six major auto insurers in Washington offer non-owners insurance

While the biggest insurance companies may not always be the best, they offer a good starting point when shopping for

car insurance quotes

. Out of Washington’s top auto insurers, six insurance companies offer non-owners policies:

Allstate

(limited to military personnel, veterans, and their families)

Need to know: You typically can’t buy non-owners car insurance online—you'll have to call the insurer or a car insurance broker to discuss this coverage with an agent.

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

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Washington non-owner insurance is a supplemental liability policy

As a liability-only policy, non-owner insurance only covers damage and medical expenses for the other party if you cause an accident.

Since the policy isn't tied to a particular vehicle, collision and comprehensive coverage options are not available.

In some states, non-owner coverage includes mandatory protections like

uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)

medical payments coverage (MedPay)

, and

personal injury protection (PIP)

. In Washington, these types of coverages are optional and won’t be included automatically.

Need to know: Non-owner car insurance will not cover damage to the vehicle you're driving or your own medical expenses or those of your passengers. Also, non-owner auto insurance coverage can't be transferred to another driver—it only covers the policyholder.

A supplemental policy pays out after the primary coverage limits are met

Whether you’re borrowing a vehicle or driving a rental, it should already be insured through the vehicle owner’s personal insurance policy or

rental car insurance

. If an accident happens, the primary policy will be tapped first.

Once the primary coverage is exhausted, however, you could be held liable for the remaining damages. Even an accident involving an older vehicle could result in paying thousands of dollars in repair expenses and medical bills out of pocket.

If you carry non-owner insurance, it will cover any remaining vehicle damages or medical bills up to your policy limits—typically the state’s minimum liability insurance requirements—after the primary policy has been exhausted.

Washington's minimum liability limits

are:

$25,000 in bodily injury liability per person

$50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident

$10,000 in property damage liability

Let’s consider an example:

Suppose you're borrowing a friend's car to carry out a few errands and unintentionally collide with a vehicle in your blind spot, resulting in significant damage. The repair costs for the other car amount to $12,000 and the other driver's medical bills total $30,000.

If your friend carries Washington's minimum liability insurance, their policy would cover up to $10,000 for the property damage to the other car and up to $25,000 in medical bills for the other driver (and up to $50,000 in medical bills for the accident).

This would leave you responsible for $2,000 in property damage and $5,000 in medical bills. Even if your supplementary non-owner coverage only consists of the state minimum liability insurance, it would cover these additional costs.

That said, accidents involving newer cars can quickly exceed the limits of state-minimum liability insurance, which is why we recommend upgrading your coverage limits. Additional liability protection usually only costs a few extra dollars a month, but it could protect you from owing thousands of dollars out of pocket after an at-fault accident.

Note: Non-owner auto insurance, like most liability-only policies, usually doesn't require a deductible.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Washington

The average cost for

non-owner SR-22 insurance

in Washington is $2760.

If you're required to file a

Washington SR-22

certificate but don’t own a car, you can purchase a non-owner policy, then request your insurer to file the SR-22 form on your behalf. Just remember: not all insurance providers offer both non-owner policies and SR-22s, so it’s important to discuss your situation with an insurance agent to ensure it meets your coverage needs.

Washington state mandates an SR-22 as proof of insurance for high-risk drivers. These forms are typically required for anyone who has had their licenses suspended for severe traffic violations, such as:

Getting a

DUI in Washington

Reckless driving

Driving without insurance coverage

Having multiple major traffic violations

If you're required to have SR-22 coverage, avoid committing new offenses during the required three-year period. Any lapse in insurance or new violations can cause this period to reset, extending the time you're required to carry SR-22 insurance.

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FAQs

Can you insure a car that you don't own in Washington state?

Generally, you must be named on the vehicle's title to purchase an insurance policy for it. If you regularly drive the vehicle, consider asking the owner to add your name on the title as a co-owner.

Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Washington state?

In Washington state, as in most states, auto insurance typically follows the car and not the driver. If you have a non-owner car insurance policy, however, it would kick in as secondary coverage once the vehicle owner’s policy limits are exhausted.

Can I insure a car that is not in my name?

Generally, car insurance companies require the policyholder to be the registered owner of the vehicle. It’s standard practice that you cannot take out an insurance policy on a car if your name isn’t listed on the title and registration.

What is hired non-owned auto coverage?

Hired and non-owned auto coverage (HNOA) is a form of business insurance designed for companies that use vehicles they do not own for work. This coverage provides liability coverage in accidents involving these vehicles but does not extend coverage for personal use.

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