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7+ years in personal finance writing
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
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Non-owner car insurance is insurance for drivers without a car. It provides liability-only coverage, which helps pay for injuries or property damage you cause to others if you’re in an accident while driving a vehicle you don’t own.
For example, if you occasionally borrow a friend’s car to run errands in New York, a non-owner policy may be useful. If you cause an accident, the vehicle owner’s standard auto insurance will usually kick in first to pay for damages you cause up to the policy limit. Then your non-owner policy acts as secondary coverage, helping pay the remaining amount.
Get the coverage you need, starting at an average of $72 per month
New York doesn’t require drivers to have a non-owner auto insurance policy. But the state requires drivers to have minimum liability insurance coverage to register a vehicle.
Minimum liability coverage requirements in New York include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury coverage, plus $10,000 of property damage liability coverage. The state also requires $50,000 of personal injury protection (PIP), also called “no-fault” coverage.[1]
For example, let’s say you borrow a friend’s car and cause $20,000 worth of damage to another vehicle in an accident. If your friend has minimum liability coverage, their insurance would cover only $10,000. Your non-owner policy would then kick in to cover the remaining $10,000.
New York doesn’t require drivers to have non-owner car insurance, but it can make sense for some drivers, including:
Drivers who frequently use car-sharing services: While shared vehicles typically have group insurance coverage, non-owner coverage can provide extra protection when using car-sharing services.
Drivers who frequently rent cars: If you regularly rent a car, non-owner insurance can help you avoid purchasing rental car insurance from the rental company.
Drivers who borrow cars: A non-owner policy can provide extra protection if you cause an accident while driving a friend or family member’s car. The vehicle owner’s policy acts as the primary coverage, and your non-owner policy adds secondary protection.
Drivers who want to maintain continuous coverage: Insurers generally charge higher car insurance rates if you have a gap in your coverage. A non-owner policy can help you maintain continuous coverage even if you don’t own a car.
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurer files on your behalf with the state. Some states require you to file an SR-22 after a serious driving offense, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or reckless driving.
An SR-22 proves that you meet the state’s minimum liability requirements. If you don’t own a car, purchasing a non-owner insurance policy is one way to fulfill an SR-22 requirement.
New York doesn’t require an SR-22. Instead, the state requires drivers to complete an impaired driver program (IDP) to reinstate their license.[2] But if you have a conviction for a serious driving offense in New York and live in another state, your home state might require an SR-22.
Insurers typically increase your rates if you have an SR-22 requirement because they consider you a higher-risk driver.
Compare quotes from New York’s top insurers and save money in minutes
In New York, non-owner car insurance costs an average of $63 per month. That’s considerably higher than the national average of $46 per month.
Non-owner insurance rates in New York are on par with those in neighboring New Jersey, where the average monthly rate is $62. But New York’s premiums are much higher than those in Pennsylvania, which average $38 per month.
New York’s higher population density and traffic congestion partly explain the state’s higher rates. More people on the road can lead to more accidents and more claims.
A non-owner policy in New York is typically cheaper than a liability or full-coverage policy because it provides only liability coverage for the other driver’s injuries and damage. In New York, liability-only insurance averages $153 per month, and full coverage averages $243.
The following table shows the average monthly cost of non-owner car insurance coverage in New York and the U.S., according to Insurify data.
Non-Owner Car Insurance  | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| New York average | $63 |
| National average | $46 |
If you want to purchase a non-owner car insurance policy in New York, follow these steps:
Look for coverage. Not all insurance companies offer non-owner insurance. Check with a few insurers to find out if they offer the coverage you need.
Compare car insurance quotes. Once you find the New York insurance companies that offer non-owner coverage, compare quotes to find the best price for your coverage.
Choose coverage limits. Once you choose an insurer, you need to pick your coverage limits. You can opt for the state’s 25/50/10 minimum limits or choose higher coverage limits.
Purchase a policy. Once your insurer approves your application, all you have left to do is pay for your coverage.
Check out the answers to the questions below to help you decide if non-owner insurance in New York is right for you.
Non-owner car insurance in New York costs an average of $63 per month, according to Insurify data. That said, premiums can vary based on many factors, including your age, location, driving record, and the coverage you choose.
No. You can’t insure a car you don’t own in New York. A vehicle’s registration and insurance must both be in the owner’s name.[3]
But you can purchase non-owner car insurance if you don’t own a car and need to maintain continuous coverage. Non-owner policies provide coverage for injuries and damage you cause to others while driving a vehicle you don’t own.
A non-owner insurance policy in New York covers injuries and property damage that you cause to another driver in an accident. It doesn’t cover your injuries or damage to the car you’re driving. The vehicle owner’s policy acts as primary coverage, and your non-owner policy would kick in to cover any remaining amount.
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7+ years in personal finance writing
Certified Financial Education Instructor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
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