insure logo

Why you can trust Insure.com

quality icon

Quality Verified

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

Non-owner auto insurance in California costs $394 annually, which is $13 less than the average nationally, according to an Insure.com rate analysis.

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

“Non-owner policies provide the minimum coverage required by the state, as well as some optional add-ons, but there are specific requirements by the insurance carriers to provide this coverage in lieu of a traditional auto insurance policy,” says Patti Clement, senior vice president of private client services at HUB International, a leading personal insurance brokerage.

Learn more about the various requirements, what non-owner insurance is, which companies offer it and how much it costs in California.

Key Takeaways

  • The average non-owner car insurance cost in California is $33 per month for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record.
  • Car insurance rates vary by age. For instance, a 16-year-old male in California pays an average of $1,085 for non-owner car insurance, whereas a 25-year-old male pays $474 a year for the same coverage.
  • Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) offers most affordable rates for non-owner car insurance in California at $185.

How much does non-owner auto insurance cost in California?

Non-owner insurance is usually less expensive than full coverage auto insurance-insurers view non-owner policyholders as less of a risk because they have minimal access to a vehicle.

On average in the U.S., it costs a driver with a clean driving record and good credit score $2,513 annually for a 100/300/100 full coverage insurance policy-$100,000 for injuries you cause in an accident, up to $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 for property damage. Full coverage car insurance is $3,010 in California.

Alternatively, non-owner car insurance is $407 a year on average in the United States and $394 in California.

But actual rates are based on your age and driving history and also where in state you live.

Which insurer offers the cheapest non-owner insurance rates in California?

In California, Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)’s non-owner insurance policy is the cheapest at $185 a year.

At $572 a year, Nationwide charges the highest rate for non-owner insurance in the state.

Experts recommend comparing quotes from many different insurance companies so that you can find the best rate available. The cheapest non-owner insurance policies in the state are listed below.

Cheapest non-owner insurance rates in California

CompanyAverage annual premium
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$185
Kemper$205
Farmers$242
Progressive$489
Mercury Insurance$490
Travelers$497
GEICO$511
State Farm$513
Nationwide$572
USAA*$238
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Powered by:

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

Age is an important factor when it comes to pricing. Statistically, young drivers are a higher risk because they haven’t been driving for long and are more likely to cause an accident than older, more experienced drivers. In California, a 45-year-old will pay an average of $390 annually for a non-owner insurance policy compared to a 16-year-old driver who will pay an average of $1,085.

Average non-owner auto insurance rates in California by age and gender

AgeRates for male driversRates for female drivers
16$1,085$1,085
17$1,021$1,021
18$951$951
19$722$722
20$679$679
21$567$567
22$540$540
23$521$521
24$483$483
25$474$474
30$411$411
35$400$400
40$394$394
45$390$390
50$386$386
55$385$385
60$388$388
65$398$398
70$432$432
75$467$467
Powered by:

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

Call (844) 814-8854
ethan-avatar
Ethan Available Now
jack-avatar
Jack Available Now
robbie-avatar
Robbie Available Now
ellie-avatar
Ellie Available Now

Which California cities have the cheapest non-owner auto insurance?

Rates differ from ZIP code to ZIP code. Insurers consider the number of thefts, collisions and vandalism in an area when calculating rates.

The tables below display the cities in California that have the least and most expensive non-owner auto insurance rates.

The 20 California cities with the lowest non-owner auto insurance rates

CityNon-owner car insurance rates
Weed$268
Weaverville$274
Etna$276
Carlotta$280
Walker$280
Calexico$280
Canby$285
Montague$285
Alturas$286
Mendocino$286
Big Pine$286
Trinidad$286
Cambria$287
Shingletown$287
Bishop$288
Smith River$288
Fort Bragg$289
Whitethorn$289
Hayfork$289
Dunsmuir$289
Powered by:

The 20 California cities with the highest non-owner car insurance rates

CityNon-owner car insurance rates
Tarzana$702
Beverly Hills$697
Valley Village$676
Van Nuys$667
Reseda$664
Encino$657
West Hollywood$652
North Hollywood$649
Glendale$647
Tujunga$642
Northridge$636
Universal City$634
Toluca Lake$634
Sherman Oaks$630
Winnetka$630
Canoga Park$629
Panorama City$624
Woodland Hills$622
North Hills$622
Sun Valley$614
Powered by:

How much is non-owner car insurance in California’s 10 biggest cities?

The most populous cities in California have varying non-owner insurance rates. The cost of non-owner insurance in Los Angeles is the highest at $592; San Diego has the cheapest rates of the largest cities in the state at $386.

Non-owner car rates in California’s 10 largest cities

10 largest citiesNon-owner car insurance rates
San Diego$386
San Jose$390
Fresno$395
Bakersfield$396
Oakland$413
San Francisco$417
Sacramento$429
Anaheim$443
Long Beach$461
Los Angeles$592
Powered by:

How non-owner insurance rates in California compare to rates in other states

Non-owner auto insurance rates also differ from state to state. California’s average non-owner insurance rate is $394 a year, lower than the $407 national average.

Non-owner car insurance rates in the 10 most populous states

StateAverage annual premium
California$394
Florida$925
Georgia$407
Illinois$395
Michigan$462
North Carolina$581
New York$661
Ohio$245
Pennsylvania$352
Texas$418
National Average$407
Powered by:

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,” says Golnoush Goharzad, a personal injury attorney in California.

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 adds 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 California

Your driver’s license number and a credit or debit card are all you’ll need to get a non-owner insurance policy. To purchase a policy, follow these steps:

  1. Contact an auto insurance agent about the coverage
  2. Share your basic driving history
  3. Review the information you receive on the insurers and rates
  4. Choose the policy that best meets your needs
  5. Put down a payment to begin coverage

Often, you’ll receive proof of insurance very quickly. Here are a few insurance companies with phone numbers to call for a non-owner insurance quote.

  • State Farm: 800-782-8332
  • GEICO: 800-207-7847
  • Progressive: 888-671-4405
  • Allstate: 800-726-6033
  • USAA: 800-531-8722

Methodology

Insure.com in 2025 compiled non-owner insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record looking for a state minimum, liability-only policy.

expert

What our expert says

Q: Does a non-owner policy cover damage to your car?

expert-image
Golnoush GoharzadPersonal injury attorney, California.
These policies don’t cover damage to the car you are driving, Goharzad says. “That would be covered under the car owner’s policy or possibly through optional insurance purchased from the rental agency.”

Frequently asked questions

Who needs non-owner car insurance in California?

Non-owner car insurance is ideal for individuals who frequently rent cars or borrow others’ vehicles but do not own a car themselves. It’s also necessary for those who need to maintain continuous insurance coverage to avoid lapses.

Is non-owner car insurance available to everyone?

Non-owner car insurance is generally available if you do not own a vehicle, do not have regular access to a vehicle, and have a valid driver’s license. It is not available if you can be covered as a driver under another household member’s policy.

Can I get non-owner car insurance if I live with someone who owns a car?

If you live with someone who owns a car, you are generally expected to be listed on their car insurance policy. However, if you are not listed, non-owner car insurance could provide you with liability coverage when driving other vehicles.

What is the difference between non-owner and standard car insurance?

Non-owner car insurance only covers liability for bodily injury and property damage inflicted on others, not damages to the vehicle you are driving or injuries to yourself, which are typically covered under standard auto insurance policies.

author image
Leslie Kasperowicz
Managing Editor

 
|
  

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance expert and the executive editor of Insurance.com. Before joining QuinStreet, she was managing editor at Quote.com has a decade of experience writing about insurance. She also spent four years in customer service with Farmers Insurance.

ZIP Code Please enter valid ZIP