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Non-owner car insurance in Pennsylvania provides liability coverage when you occasionally drive a car you don’t own. While it doesn’t protect the car, it does cover injuries, deaths, and property damage you cause to others in an accident.
This policy works as car insurance for drivers without a car. If you don’t own a vehicle but occasionally rent or borrow one, a non-owner car insurance policy provides secondary coverage.
The cost of a crash with injuries averaged $153,909 in 2024, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Non-owner car insurance helps protect you financially if you cause an accident.
Pennsylvania doesn’t have a specific law requiring non-owner car insurance. That said, all registered vehicles must meet the state’s minimum car insurance requirements:[1]
$15,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) per person and $30,000 per accident to cover the other driver’s medical bills
$5,000 in property damage liability (PDL) to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle or damaged property
$5,000 in medical benefits; referred to as personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage (MedPay) in other states, medical benefits coverage helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers
Although Pennsylvania law doesn’t require non-owner coverage, it can provide extra liability protection if you cause an accident in a car you don’t own. It can also serve as rental car insurance or help high-risk drivers meet insurance requirements to reinstate their licenses.
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Pennsylvania doesn’t explicitly require drivers without a car to purchase non-owner insurance. But if you regularly borrow cars, this coverage can help protect you financially if you cause an accident.
In 2025, Pennsylvania reported an average of 13 crashes every hour and one fatality every eight hours.[2] These statistics highlight the importance of ensuring you have proper coverage when you’re behind the wheel.
A non-owner policy could make sense for:
Occasional borrowers: If you frequently borrow cars from friends or family members, it’s wise to have your own insurance policy so you don’t have to rely on coverage from someone else’s insurance.
Drivers with a suspended license: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) may require proof of insurance to restore your driving privileges after a violation.
Frequent renters: If you don’t own your own car, a non-owner policy offers additional liability protection beyond what the rental car company offers.
Drivers between cars: A lapse in coverage can result in higher insurance rates. A non-owner policy lets you maintain continuous insurance coverage when you don’t own a vehicle.[3]
After a serious driving infraction — such as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving without insurance — many U.S. states require you to file an SR-22 form. The form proves that you meet the state’s minimum-coverage requirements.
Pennsylvania doesn’t require a standard SR-22 filing to reinstate your license. Instead, PennDOT will send a personalized restoration requirements letter outlining the steps you need to take to get your license back.
PennDOT may require proof of motor vehicle insurance to restore your license after a suspension. If you don’t have a vehicle to insure, a non-owner policy can help you meet that requirement.
Insurers generally charge higher rates for drivers with a DUI, at-fault accident, or other serious infraction than for drivers with clean driving records.[4]
The average cost of non-owner auto insurance in Pennsylvania is $38 per month, compared to the national average of $46 per month, according to Insurify data. It’s much more affordable than in New York but more expensive than in Ohio.
Non-Owner Car Insurance | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania average | $38 |
| National average | $46 |
Buying non-owner car insurance is generally cheaper than insuring a car you own. For comparison, a liability-only auto insurance policy in Pennsylvania averages $90 per month, while full coverage averages $161 per month.
In Pennsylvania, you have a choice between limited tort and full tort. Choosing limited tort can save up to 40% on coverages such as BI and uninsured motorist coverage, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID).
Unlike full tort, limited tort limits your right to sue for pain and suffering if another driver causes an accident.
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Purchasing non-owner car insurance in Pennsylvania is similar to buying a standard liability or full-coverage policy:
Gather your information. Before contacting an insurance company or agent, have your driver’s license, driving history (including past accidents or tickets), and an estimate of your annual mileage available.
Determine what liability coverage you need. Your policy must meet the state’s minimum-coverage limits: $15,000/$30,000 for bodily injury, $5,000 for property damage, and $5,000 for medical benefits. You’ll also need to choose between full tort and limited tort.
Compare quotes. Pennsylvania has more than 200 licensed insurers, according to the PID. Shopping for car insurance can help you find the best price and discounts.
Check if you need it for license restoration. After a license suspension, confirm whether PennDOT’s restoration letter requires proof of insurance. A non-owner policy can satisfy that even if you don’t have a car to insure.
Whether you’re borrowing a vehicle, renting a car, or satisfying requirements to reinstate your license, these answers to frequently asked questions below can help you better understand non-owner car insurance in Pennsylvania.
Yes. You can purchase car insurance in Pennsylvania without owning a car. A non-owner policy covers your liability — injuries and property damage you cause to others while driving a car you don’t own — though it won’t cover damage to the vehicle itself.
Non-owner car insurance in Pennsylvania averages $38 per month, which is lower than the national average of $46 per month. It’s much cheaper to buy a non-owner policy than to insure a car you own.
State Farm and Erie tend to offer the cheapest rates for non-owner car insurance in Pennsylvania, though rates vary depending on your age, vehicle, driving record, and deductible. Comparing quotes and discounts from multiple insurers can help you find the best car insurance company for you.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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5+ years experience in personal finance writing
Personal finance blogger
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Featured in
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