Non-owner car insurance in California: Which company has the cheapest rates?

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Non-owner car insurance in California costs $323 a year, according to Insure.com’s 2023 rate analysis, which is $57 lower than the rest of the nation on average.

In California, these policies are available from companies such as Auto Club, Farmers Insurance and Travelers, in addition to many others.

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.

In addition to understanding the various requirements, it’s important to know what non-owner insurance is, which companies offer it and how much it costs in California.

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

Non-owner insurance is usually less expensive than typical auto insurance—insurers consider non-owner policyholders as less risky because they have minimal access to a vehicle.

On average in the United States, it costs drivers with a clean driving record and good credit score $1,682 per year for a 100/300/100 full coverage insurance policy. This includes $100,000 for injuries you might cause in an accident, up to $300,000 per accident, and an additional $100,000 for property damage.

In California, the cost is $2,110.

On the other hand, non-owner auto insurance is $323  a year in California and $380 a year  on average in the U.S.

But various factors affect individual rates, such as how old you are, your chosen insurance company and your driving history.

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

California’s least expensive non-owner insurance policy is offered by Kemper Insurance at $144 a year.

At $538, The Hartford charges the highest rate for non-owner insurance in the state.

To find the best price, compare quotes from different insurance companies. Below is a list of the cheapest non-owner insurance available in the state.

Cheapest non-owner insurance rates in California

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

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

Age is also an important factor when it comes to pricing. 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. California non-owner insurance costs, on average, $845 a year for a 16-year-old, whereas it’s $320 for a 45-year-old driver.

Average non-owner auto insurance rates in California by age

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

From city to city,  rates can be very different. When insurance companies set rates, they consider the frequency of thefts, collisions and vandalism in an area.

Below are charts showing which cities in California have the lowest and highest non-owner car insurance rates.

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

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

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

The biggest cities in California sometimes have rates that are significantly different. The non-owner insurance cost in Los Angeles is the most expensive at $467, whereas San Diego has the least expensive rates among the state’s most populous cities at $320.

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

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

The rates for non-owner car insurance will differ between states too. The average non-owner insurance rate in California is $323, which is lower than the national average of $380. South Dakota is the cheapest at $170 annually, followed by Idaho at $190 a year and then Iowa at $193 per year.

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

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. 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.

For a non-owner insurance policy, you’ll need to call your insurer rather than go online for a quote.

“The most efficient way to go about finding the most affordable non-owner insurance is to work with an insurance broker, who is able to shop multiple insurance companies to find the best price,” says Lauren McKenzie, an insurance agent with A Plus Insurance.

Below are some 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 commissioned Quadrant Information Services in 2023 to compile non-owner car insurance rates for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record looking for a state minimum, liability-only policy.