Non-Owner Car Insurance in Massachusetts (2026)

What to know about non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts

Non-owner car insurance is a type of car insurance for people who don’t own a car but occasionally drive. It provides state-minimum liability coverage for a driver, but it doesn’t tie coverage to a specific vehicle.

About 12% of Massachusetts households don’t have a car, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.^[1] You may still want to maintain coverage if you don’t own a car but you regularly borrow cars from relatives or friends, or if you simply want to maintain continuous coverage.

If you’re in a car accident, your non-owner car insurance policy can help cover any injuries or property damage you cause to others.

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Non-owner car insurance requirements in Massachusetts

If you aren’t registering a vehicle in Massachusetts, you generally don’t need to buy car insurance.

That said, if you’re borrowing a car from a friend, you should always verify that the car’s owner has an active insurance policy for it. Your friend or family member’s insurance policy should cover you while you drive their vehicle.

And if you’re using a car-sharing service like Zipcar or driving a rental car, make sure you at least opt into the state minimum coverage.

Here are the Massachusetts minimum car insurance requirements for standard and non-owner car insurance policies:^[2]

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

• Property damage liability: $30,000 per accident

• Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

• Personal injury protection (PIP): $8,000

Who should get non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts?

Though Massachusetts doesn’t require people to buy non-owner car insurance, you may want to consider it in the following scenarios:

• You want to maintain continuous coverage. If you plan to buy a car in the future, you’ll need insurance to register it. And companies may charge you higher premiums if you have a gap in your insurance history.

• You occasionally borrow someone else’s car. Even if the car’s owner already has an active policy, a non-owner policy can provide secondary coverage to further protect you from liability if you have an at-fault accident. The average bodily injury liability claim in Massachusetts was $18,681 as of 2022, which isn’t far from the minimum coverage limit of $25,000 per person.

• You rent cars frequently. If you rent cars frequently, perhaps for business travel, having a non-owner policy ensures you have liability protection, regardless of the car you’re driving. It can save you from having to opt in or buy liability coverage every time you rent a car.

• You have an SR-22 requirement in another state. If out-of-state authorities suspend your license due to an infraction, you’ll need to comply with that state’s requirements in order to get your driver’s license back.^[3] For example, if you don’t have a vehicle but have an SR-22 requirement for a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction in New Hampshire, you’ll have to buy a non-owner policy to maintain coverage.^[4]

SR-22 requirements in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the few states that doesn’t require an SR-22 filing in order to reinstate your driver’s license after a suspension.

But you may need to file an SR-22 if you have a serious violation while driving in another state. If that state’s authorities suspend your license due to an infraction, like a DUI conviction, you’ll likely need to comply with that state’s requirements before reinstating your driver’s license.

Buying car insurance in Massachusetts after a suspension can be expensive. Car insurance companies view you as a high-risk driver, and they’ll bump up your rates accordingly.

Buying non-owner car insurance can help you meet any reinstatement requirements without insuring a specific car.

Cost of non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts

Non-owner car insurance is more affordable than buying a traditional policy in Massachusetts. The average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts for a standard minimum-coverage policy is $103 per month, compared to just $34 for a non-owner policy. A full-coverage policy, which includes collision and comprehensive insurance for physical damage to your vehicle, averages $137 per month.

Below, you can see how average non-owner car insurance rates in Massachusetts compare to the national average.

Non-Owner Car Insurance	Average Monthly Cost
Massachusetts average	$34
National average	$46

Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time Massachusetts quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.

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How to get non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts 

You can take the following steps to buy non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts:

• Decide whether you need non-owner coverage. Ask yourself whether you borrow or rent vehicles enough to make it worth buying this coverage. And remember that you can only buy this coverage if you don’t own a car.

• Get quotes from Massachusetts insurance companies. Auto insurers set rates based on factors like your driving history, location, and more. Compare quotes from at least three insurers to find the best car insurance company for you.

• Choose your policy. Decide on the right insurer for you, based on quoted rates, the company’s customer satisfaction scores, and available discounts.

• Buy your coverage. Complete your policy purchase to meet Massachusetts’s minimum car insurance requirements. Many companies, like GEICO, State Farm, and USAA, make it easy for you to buy a non-owner policy online.

Non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts FAQs