What to know about non-owner car insurance in Texas
Non-owner car insurance is for Texas drivers without a car who occasionally borrow or rent vehicles. It’s a type of policy that provides bodily injury and property damage liability coverage for accidents you cause in Texas, but it doesn’t insure a specific car as a standard auto policy does.
Let’s say you borrow a friend’s car and cause an accident. Your non-owner insurance policy can cover the other driver’s injuries and property damage if your friend doesn’t have enough liability insurance. But it won’t cover damage you cause to your friend’s car.
Non-owner car insurance requirements in Texas
Texas doesn’t require non-owner auto insurance. But the state requires all drivers to have proof of insurance that meets or exceeds the Lone Star State’s minimum insurance requirements, which are:[1]
$30,000 per person for bodily injury liability
$60,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Texas insurance companies must also include personal injury protection (PIP) and offer uninsured motorist coverage on every auto insurance policy, including non-owner policies. But you can decline either or both in writing.
But these coverages may be worth it. PIP covers your own medical expenses and those of your passengers, as well as lost wages, no matter who’s at fault in the crash. Around 12% of Texas vehicles lack insurance.[2] Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) can help pay for damages caused by someone who doesn’t have liability coverage or doesn’t have enough to cover the damages.[3]
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Non-owner policies average $50/mo. in the Lone Star State
Who should get non-owner car insurance in Texas?
Only some drivers should get non-owner car insurance in Texas. Drivers who require an SR-22 must have car insurance coverage that meets the state’s minimum requirements, whether or not they own a vehicle.
Even if you don’t have a legal requirement for auto insurance in Texas, a non-owner policy may still make sense. A non-owner car insurance policy might be worthwhile if you:
Borrow cars from your friends or family members
Rent cars from a rental company
Use a rideshare or car-sharing service
Plan to buy a vehicle soon and want continuous coverage to qualify for cheaper insurance rates
SR-22 requirements in Texas
An SR-22 is a form insurers must submit to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for some drivers proving they have liability coverage limits that meet or exceed Texas’ minimum insurance requirements. If you don’t have standard auto insurance, a non-owner policy can provide the coverage you need.[4]
You’ll probably need SR-22 insurance to prove financial responsibility if:
You get a DUI or DWI.
The state suspends your driver’s license after an accident.
You’re caught driving more than once without insurance.
You receive an accident-related civil judgment against you.
Texas requires SR-22 insurance for two years, starting from your most recent conviction or judgment date. Once your insurer submits a valid SR-22 to the DPS, you’ll need to pay a $100 reinstatement fee plus any other fees you might owe to reinstate your driver’s license.
Insurers typically consider drivers who need SR-22 insurance high risk, which means you’ll pay higher rates for an SR-22 auto policy. Your insurer may also charge a filing fee, typically around $25.
Cost of non-owner car insurance in Texas
Non-owner car insurance in Texas costs slightly more than the national average, as shown in the table below. It’s also more expensive than in neighboring New Mexico ($33) and Oklahoma ($41), according to Insurify data.
You might pay more for non-owner coverage if you live in a densely populated city like Houston or San Antonio, where accident rates are higher than in more rural areas. Drivers in cities with more severe weather, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes, also typically pay higher rates.[5] Your personal rate will also depend on factors like your driving record and ZIP code.
Regardless of where you live in Texas, non-owner coverage is usually cheaper than liability-only or full coverage. Texas drivers pay an average of $110 per month for liability-only coverage and $205 for full coverage, according to Insurify data. Full coverage includes comprehensive coverage and collision coverage for an insured vehicle.
Non-Owner Car Insurance | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Texas average | $50 |
| National average | $158 |
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How to get non-owner car insurance in Texas
It only takes a few steps to get non-owner car insurance in Texas:
Determine your coverage needs. Non-owner car insurance is secondary coverage that kicks in if the liability coverage on the car you’re driving isn’t enough. If you don’t have enough liability insurance, the injured driver can sue you. Buying higher limits than Texas requires can provide peace of mind and help protect your finances in the event of an at-fault accident.
Compare car insurance quotes. Rates can vary by insurer, so it’s worth comparing multiple companies. If you need SR-22 insurance, ask up front, as not all insurers offer it.
Buy a policy. Once you settle on an insurer, buy the policy. If you need an SR-22, confirm that the insurer provides it to the DPS to satisfy your financial responsibility requirements.
Non-owner car insurance in Texas FAQs
We answered common questions people ask about Texas non-owner car insurance.
Can you get insurance without a car in Texas?
Yes. Some Texas insurance companies offer non-owner insurance for people who occasionally drive someone else’s car but don’t own one. Non-owner coverage applies if you cause an accident with injuries or property damage that exceeds the liability limits of the car you’re driving.
How does non-owner car insurance work in Texas?
Non-owner car insurance in Texas works as secondary coverage. If you’re driving a borrowed or rental car and cause an accident, non-owner insurance can cover medical payments or property damage costs to others if the vehicle owner’s policy isn’t enough.
How much is non-owner insurance in Texas?
Non-owner insurance in Texas averages $50 per month, according to Insurify data. Your rate will depend on your driving history, ZIP code, and liability limits. You can also add uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP).
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Auto insurance guide."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Protect against other drivers with uninsured motorist coverage."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "What is uninsured motorist coverage, and do I really need it?."
- Texas Department of Public Safety. "SR-22 (Proof of Financial Responsibility)."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "How are your auto and homeowners insurance costs calculated?."
Methodology
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:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
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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