Named Non-Owner Auto Insurance Coverage

Insurance Q&A: “Can I buy car insurance without owning a car?”

You don’t own a car, but want to ensure you’re covered when driving another person’s vehicle. Sounds logical, right?

What is a named non-owner auto insurance policy?

Fortunately, it is possible to purchase liability, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage with a “named non-owner” endorsement to a personal auto policy.

Basically, a named non-owners insurance policy is the same as the personal auto policy someone would have who owns a car, with the exception that there is no physical damage coverage available.

Physical damage coverage is excluded by the insurer because there is no way to determine what premium to charge you, as there is not a specific automobile on the policy.

Who would benefit from a named non-owner coverage?

Non-owner car insurance is for people who occasionally drive a car they don’t own but need to prove coverage. It provides liability coverage that pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people in an accident. However, it doesn’t cover damages to the car you’ve rented or borrowed, nor for any injuries.

Non-owner car insurance doesn’t include collision or comprehensive coverage, therefore it won’t cover medical costs or other costs from injuries in a collision. In a standard auto insurance policy, these coverages cover repairs or replacement of the vehicle. (For more information, read our “Hired Car Coverage and Non-Owned Auto Liability Insurance“).

So, if you’re involved in an accident with another driver and found to be the at-fault driver, a non-owner car insurance policy would protect you from lawsuits, much like a standard liability policy.

Think of it this way; one day you may be driving a BMW valued at $80,000, and the next day a Chevy worth $5,000.

Q: Why would I elect to pay for named non-owner auto insurance if I’m already covered by the owner of the vehicle’s personal auto insurance policy (assuming you have “reasonable belief” you’re allowed to drive their vehicle).

A: There are typically exclusions on a personal auto policy that state if a listed car is regularly made available to you, you must be listed as a driver on the associated policy.

With a named non-owner policy, you would have coverage for bodily injury or property damage you are found liable for in the event you are not listed as a driver on the policy.

An Example of a Named Non-owner

You share an apartment with a roommate who owns a car and has state minimum auto insurance.

You don’t own a car, but you occasionally drive your roommate’s vehicle.

You’re involved in an accident and found liable (at-fault driver) for bodily injury to the other driver as well as damage to the other driver’s car.

The damages awarded to the injured party exceed your roommate’s liability limits.

Outcome #1 (You have no car insurance):  Your roommate’s insurance would pay for the damages up to the liability limits specified in his or her policy.  Any additional damages would be paid for from your own pocket.

Outcome #2 (You have Named Non-Owner coverage on your personal auto policy):  Your roommate’s insurance would cover damages up to its limit of liability.

Your named non-owner auto insurance coverage would pay for any damages that exceed your roommate’s limits up to your policy limit.

Take note: Named non-owner coverage is always secondary to the vehicle owner’s insurance.

And if your roommate’s vehicle needed to be fixed as a result of an accident you caused, he or she would require physical damage coverage on their own personal auto policy as named non-owner insurance coverage excludes it.

Read more:

• Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage Symbols
• Property Damage Liability vs. Physical Damage Coverage