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Non-owner auto insurance in California costs $299 per year, which is $26 less than the rest of the country on average, according to a rate analysis by Insure.com.

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

Non-owner car insurance is a policy for people who don’t own a car but often borrow or rent a vehicle. It provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage in case you get in an accident while driving a car owned by someone else.

“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 $25 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 $818 for non-owner car insurance, whereas a 25-year-old male pays $356 a year for the same coverage.
  • Kemper offers most affordable rates for non-owner car insurance in California at $145.

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 $1,895 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 $2,416 in California.

Alternatively, non-owner car insurance is $325 a year on average in the United States and $299 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?

With an average annual cost of $145, Kemper non-owner insurance policy is California’s most affordable.

At $440 a year, State Farm charges the highest rate for non-owner insurance in the state.

A good rule of thumb is to compare quotes from many different insurance companies to get the best price. Below you’ll find a list of the cheapest non-owner policies offered in California.

Cheapest non-owner insurance rates in California

CompanyAverage annual premium
Kemper$145
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$173
Farmers$215
Mercury Insurance$304
Travelers$371
Nationwide$376
Progressive$384
Geico$391
State Farm$440
USAA$197

Note that USAA only offers coverage to military members, veterans and their families.

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

Older drivers have been driving longer than younger, inexperienced drivers and are less likely to be in an accident. Their rates are usually cheaper than those of younger drivers. On average, California non-owner insurance costs $295 a year for a 45-year-old, while it’s $818 for a 16-year-old driver.

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

AgeRates for male driversRates for female drivers
16$819$817
17$764$763
18$711$711
19$548$548
20$513$513
21$426$426
22$405$406
23$390$391
24$365$366
25$357$355
30$311$311
35$303$303
40$299$299
45$295$296
50$293$292
55$291$291
60$294$293
65$302$301
70$327$327
75$351$351

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

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

Below are the cheapest and most expensive cities for non-owner car insurance in California.

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

CityNon-owner car insurance rates
Weed$208
Weaverville$212
Etna$212
Carlotta$216
Walker$216
Calexico$216
Big Pine$219
Canby$220
Montague$220
Mendocino$221
Cambria$221
Trinidad$221
Bishop$221
San Ardo$221
Shingletown$222
Dunsmuir$222
Alturas$222
Smith River$222
Greenview$223
Hayfork$223

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

CityNon-owner car insurance rates
Beverly Hills$493
Toluca Lake$476
Valley Village$476
Northridge$475
Sherman Oaks$472
Tarzana$467
Tujunga$466
Universal City$462
Encino$462
West Hollywood$462
Verdugo City$457
Woodland Hills$450
Granada Hills$445
Van Nuys$444
Studio City$443
Canoga Park$443
Glendale$442
Porter Ranch$439
North Hollywood$438
Montrose$436

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 $422; San Diego has the cheapest rates of the largest cities in the state at $298.

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

10 largest citiesNon-owner car insurance rates
Los Angeles$422
Long Beach$357
Anaheim$341
Sacramento$326
San Francisco$319
Oakland$317
Fresno$307
Bakersfield$303
San Jose$299
San Diego$298

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

Non-owner car insurance rates also differ from state to state. The average non-owner insurance rate in California is $299 a year, which is lower than the national average of $325.

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

StateAverage annual premium
California$299
Florida$545
Georgia$312
Illinois$279
Michigan$513
New York$421
North Carolina$470
Ohio$214
Pennsylvania$263
Texas$447
National Average$325

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 auto insurance in California

Your driver’s license number and a credit or debit card are all you 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. Supply 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 car insurance companies with their contact 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 2023 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.

How much is car insurance in other states

Alabama$380/Year
Alaska$260/Year
Arizona$396/Year
Arkansas$266/Year
Colorado$282/Year
Connecticut$395/Year
Delaware$344/Year
Florida$545/Year
Georgia$312/Year
Hawaii$395/Year
Idaho$187/Year
Illinois$279/Year
Indiana$259/Year
Iowa$153/Year
Kansas$274/Year
Kentucky$375/Year
Louisiana$330/Year
Maine$238/Year
Maryland$438/Year
Massachusetts$445/Year
Michigan$513/Year
Minnesota$302/Year
Mississippi$321/Year
Missouri$358/Year
Montana$299/Year
Nebraska$186/Year
Nevada$346/Year
New Hampshire$318/Year
New Jersey$459/Year
New Mexico$293/Year
New York$421/Year
North Dakota$209/Year
Ohio$214/Year
Oklahoma$242/Year
Oregon$441/Year
Pennsylvania$263/Year
Rhode Island$518/Year
South Dakota$170/Year
Tennessee$363/Year
Texas$447/Year
Utah$444/Year
Vermont$296/Year
Virginia$290/Year
Washington$349/Year
West Virginia$367/Year
Wisconsin$230/Year
Wyoming$215/Year
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Managing Editor

 
  

Kasperowicz is a home and auto insurance expert, educator and content creation professional. She has nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry, first as a customer service representative at Farmers Insurance and now as a researcher and writer for QuinStreet’s CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. She also has written for insurance shopping sites such as ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com.

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