How much does non-owner auto insurance cost in San Francisco

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Non-owner auto insurance costs $319 annually in San Francisco, which is $6 less than the national average, according to an Insure.com 2024 rate analysis.

In San Francisco, non-owner policies are available from companies such as Kemper, Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) and Farmers.

Non-owner car insurance is designed for people, such as high-risk drivers, who need insurance to keep their license but don’t own a car. It’s affordable and easy to get.

How much is non-owner auto insurance cost in San Francisco?

The average annual cost of non-owner auto insurance in San Francisco is $319, with a six-month cost of $160. That compares to an average annual cost of $2,777 in San Francisco and a six-month cost of $1,389 for a full coverage policy.

Insurers generally assess non-owners as less risky than owners since they may not be able to access a vehicle as easily.

Which insurer offers the cheapest non-owner insurance rates in San Francisco

If you need non-owner auto insurance in San Francisco, the lowest rate is from Kemper at $164 annually or $14 monthly.

The highest rate is from State Farm, which charges $455 annually or $38 monthly.

However, many factors can influence your non-owner auto insurance rate, including your age, gender and driving record. This is why experts generally recommend obtaining quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rate available.

Non-owner auto insurance costs may vary widely depending on the insurer. Below are the average annual premiums for this type of insurance from several popular insurers in San Francisco.

Cheapest non-owner insurance rates in San Francisco

How much is non-owner car insurance in San Francisco by age?

Age is a significant factor in determining non-owner auto insurance. Statistics show that younger drivers are riskier due to a lack of experience. The average rate for non-owner auto insurance for a teenager (ages 16-19) in San Francisco is $766. That’s more than double what adults (ages 25-60) pay in the city.

Average non-owner car insurance rates in San Francisco by age

How much does non-owner auto insurance cost in San Francisco vs. other cities?

With an annual cost of $319, non-owner auto insurance in San Francisco is $6 less than the national average. But rates vary from city to city.

Cities in other states may have lower non-owner auto insurance costs than San Francisco. Still, many cities have higher costs, with the highest rates mostly in the South.

Non-owner auto insurance in San Francisco vs. other cities

When should you consider buying non-owner car insurance in San Francisco?

If you don’t own a car, you might assume you don’t need car insurance. However, there are still reasons to consider getting an auto insurance policy.

For one, if you’re in an at-fault state – and most states are at-fault, or tort, states – responsibility for the accident is determined and the responsible driver or their insurance company will need to pay for the damages caused by the accident, including medical issues. This might apply if you often borrow a car from friends or family, or you regularly rent vehicles.

“This type of policy is also beneficial for those who need to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage to avoid gaps that can result in higher premiums in the future,” says Golnoush Goharzad, a personal injury attorney near Los Angeles, California.

For example, the average cost of non-owner insurance is just $422 in Los Angeles, or $35 per month. While the cost may vary, the cost of damage from an accident can easily be higher than the annual premium.

If you drive regularly in the city, it’s a relatively low cost to pay given that it will protect you in the event of an accident.

What does non-owner auto insurance cover?

Non-owner auto insurance provides coverage when you are driving a vehicle you don’t own.

“If someone with non-owner auto insurance is involved in an accident while driving a rental car or a friend’s car, the policy typically covers liability for damages and injuries to others,” Goharzad says.

An important caveat is these policies don’t cover damage to the car you are driving. “That would be covered under the car owner’s policy or possibly through optional insurance purchased from the rental agency,” Goharzad says.

Goharzad added that non-owner auto insurance policies may provide extra coverage.

“Non-owner policies may also provide supplementary liability over and above what the car owner’s policy covers, filling in gaps if the primary policy’s limits are exhausted.”

How to get non-owner car insurance in San Francisco

Getting non-owner car insurance is similar to buying any other kind of auto policy but may have unique requirements.

For example, Goharzad says, “to qualify for a non-owner car insurance policy in California, individuals typically must have a valid driver’s license and not own a vehicle. They also should not have regular access to a household vehicle,” Goharzad says. Insurers may have additional requirements, Goharzad adds.

To get non-owner auto insurance, the general steps are:

• Identify providers offering non-owner auto insurance. Several car insurance companies offer this type of policy. This article identified several such companies in an earlier section.
• Get quotes. Contact several companies offering non-owner auto insurance and ask for a quote. You can often do this online or over the phone. Be prepared to provide information about yourself and your driving history.
• Select the policy that best meets your needs. Choose the policy that works best for you and your budget. Check that the policy meets the minimum car insurance requirements. If it doesn’t, check other quotes or consider buying additional coverage.

Check state and local resources for additional information, such as California’s automobile insurance guide. This guide provides general information about car insurance, lets you compare premiums and can help you find a broker.

Bob Haegele

Contributing Researcher

 

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Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer. He covers car insurance, health insurance and life insurance. While working in the corporate world he started a personal finance blog. He later left his corporate job and began freelance writing full-time. Since then, he has made it his mission to help people master their money. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, FinanceBuzz and others.