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

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Non-owner auto insurance in California costs $323 annually, which is $30 lower than the average nationally, according to an Insure.com 2023 rate analysis.

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

“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.

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

Insurers consider non-owner policyholders as less risky due to their limited access to a vehicle, and therefore, it’s usually less expensive to buy a non-owner insurance policy than full coverage auto insurance.

On average in the U.S., it costs a driver with a clean driving record and good credit score $1,682 a year 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. In California, full coverage car insurance costs $2,110.

Alternatively, non-owner car insurance is $353 a year on average in the United States and $323 in California.

But various factors affect individual rates, such as where in California you live, your age and driving history and other factors.

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

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

At $538 a year, The Hartford 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

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 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 $320 annually for a non-owner insurance policy compared to a 16-year-old driver who will pay an average of $845.

Average non-owner car insurance rates in California by age

Auto insurance premiums vary significantly from city to city, so drivers need to be sure they’re getting the best deal. Insure.com has done the research for you. Get more information on auto insurance rates by city below.

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

Rates differ from city to city. When insurance companies set rates, they consider the frequency of thefts, collisions and vandalism in an area.

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

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

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

The largest cities in California have different non-owner insurance rates. The cost of non-owner insurance in Los Angeles is the highest at $529. Walker has the least expensive rates of the largest cities in the state at $227.

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

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 $323 a year, which is lower than the national average of $353. South Dakota is the cheapest at $170 annually, followed by Idaho at $190 per year and 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 auto insurance policy, you’ll have to call an insurance company rather than go online for a quote.

“You must pick up the phone to request a non-owner insurance quote. Although the majority of the major auto insurance providers provide non-owner policies, none of them provide online non-owner insurance estimates,” says Bruce Mohr, senior investment advisor and credit consultant at Fair Credit, a consumer-credit service and consulting company.

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 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.

Explore other insurance options in California

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Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

 

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Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at Insurance.com.