Can I Get Auto Insurance for a Car I Don’t Own
There are a number of situations where a driver may wonder about buying auto insurance for a car he or she doesn’t own. People who don’t own a vehicle can get insurance through a non-owner’s policy. This type of insurance coverage is not carried by all insurers, but going online is an effective way to find coverage.
When You May Need Non-Owner Auto Insurance Coverage
A driver may want to consider non-owner auto insurance coverage if he or she is looking at renting a vehicle for an extended time. Non-owner auto insurance may provide a better level of protection than the coverage offered by the car rental agency or a credit card company.
Another situation where non-owner auto insurance coverage can make sense is when a driver is planning to borrow a car from a friend or relative for a time. When a vehicle owner lends his or her car, he or she is also allowing the borrower to have access to the auto insurance coverage on it.
Auto Accidents Involving a Borrowed Car
If an accident occurs when someone other than the owner is driving, the owner’s insurance company will pay for the damages caused by the borrower. When the policy comes up for renewal, the vehicle owner’s rates will likely go up. The insurance company does not consider who was driving the car at the time of the accident, since the insurance coverage is attached to the car instead of its operator.
While the owner’s auto insurance company will pay out for damages caused in an at-fault accident, it will seek to recover the money from the borrower. If the borrower does not have non-owner’s coverage in place, he or she will be personally responsible for paying this expense. Even a person who is a careful driver can be involved in an at-fault accident, and the cost of insurance coverage is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that having adequate protection in place will bring.
How to Find Non-Owner Auto Insurance Coverage
A driver who is interested in finding non-owner auto insurance coverage should make a point of getting quotes from a number of companies before making a decision about where to buy a policy. Looking for coverage online is an effective way to find a company which offers this type of specialized protection to non-owners.
The rates for non-owner coverage can vary significantly between providers. Each company sets its own rates, based on how much risk it is prepared to assume on behalf of its policyholders. For that reason, a consumer who is shopping for auto insurance coverage will see a range of prices for the same type and level of protection.
If you will be driving a borrowed or rented vehicle for more than a few days, consider buying a non-owner auto insurance policy. Even if you don’t own a car, you still need to have coverage in place to protect your hard-earned assets.
