Non-Owner Car Insurance in Washington

If you're driving in Washington but don't own a car, non-owner insurance keeps you legally covered. This liability coverage protects others when you cause an accident, paying for their injuries and property damage. It won't cover damage to the vehicle you're driving, whether that's a friend's car or a rental.

Washington requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/10: $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 for total injuries per accident and $10,000 for property damage. A non-owner policy meets these state requirements without needing a vehicle registered in your name.

The coverage works differently depending on your situation. When you borrow someone's car, their insurance pays first if you cause an accident, and your non-owner policy covers any remaining costs that exceed their limits. With rental cars, your non-owner insurance becomes primary coverage and handles claims from the first dollar of damage.

Washington recognizes non-owner car insurance as legitimate liability coverage that meets the state's financial responsibility requirements. This type of policy is fully legal and works for drivers who need to file an SR-22 with the Department of Motor Vehicles. While not every insurer offers non-owner policies, they're a valid coverage option for residents who don't own vehicles but need liability protection.

You'll need to contact insurance companies directly or work with an agent to get non-owner coverage since most insurers don't provide online quotes for this specialized policy type. MoneyGeek found average rates and phone numbers for insurers that offer a policy in Washington to help streamline your search process.

Washington drivers who regularly use vehicles they don't own benefit most from non-owner car insurance. This coverage fills gaps for frequent borrowers, regular renters, and those maintaining insurance history between vehicles.

• Frequent vehicle borrowing: Your policy protects the car owner's insurance record when you drive their vehicle. It provides liability coverage protecting against potential damages or injuries, with the owner's coverage paying first and your non-owner policy covering excess amounts.
• Regular car rentals: Rental companies charge $15 to $30 daily for liability coverage. This coverage supplements rental company insurance options, often becoming more affordable than daily rental fees for frequent renters who travel multiple times per year.
• Maintaining continuous coverage: Coverage gaps can increase future premiums by 20% to 40% when you eventually buy a vehicle. This policy helps maintain a consistent insurance history, which proves beneficial for future coverage and rates.
• License reinstatement: The state requires proof of insurance for license reinstatement after suspension. Non-owner coverage assists in meeting insurance requirements for reinstating a suspended or revoked license without forcing you to purchase a vehicle first.

Non-owner insurance doesn't make sense for vehicle owners who need standard auto insurance instead. Consider standard auto insurance or usage-based insurance if non-owner coverage isn't needed for your situation.

• Own a car (comprehensive coverage required)
• Borrow vehicles only occasionally (poor cost-benefit ratio)
• Live with vehicle owners (join their existing policy)
• Need one-time rental coverage (buy from rental company)

Washington drivers can save $15 monthly by choosing the right non-owner car insurance provider. GEICO charges just $62 per month for this coverage, while Travelers costs $77 for identical protection. MoneyGeek compared rates from six insurers offering cheapest non-owner car insurance policies in the state. Most companies don't offer online quotes for non-owner coverage, so you'll need to call for pricing.

The rates above represent non-owner coverage meeting Washington's 25/50/10 minimum requirements, covering injuries and property damage you cause to others. Since it doesn't include comprehensive or collision coverage for the vehicle you're driving, non-owner insurance ranks among the more affordable types of car insurance.

Non-owner car insurance in Washington (statewide) averages $901 annually ($75 monthly), which is $8 less expensive than the national average of $83 per month.

Several key factors determine what you'll pay for non-owner car insurance in the state. Your driving record, age, coverage choices and insurer selection all play important roles in setting your premium.

• Driving history: Violations increase your costs. Drivers with a DUI pay around $69 monthly, while maintaining a clean record keeps premiums much lower.
• Driver age and experience: Young drivers average $58 per month compared to $75 for adult drivers. Even with non-owner policies, age affects how insurers assess risk and set rates.
• Coverage limits: Choosing higher coverage limits increases your premium but provides greater financial protection if you cause an accident.
• Choice of insurer: Shopping around creates real savings opportunities. GEICO charges $62 monthly while Travelers charges $77 for identical coverage, showing how the $15 difference makes comparing quotes worthwhile.

Here are answers to common questions about non-owner car insurance in Washington:

We compiled Washington non-owner car insurance data by gathering information from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Quadrant Information Services. Our analysis examined quotes from multiple providers to determine the most affordable options available in the state.

Coverage Levels

Our comparison used minimum coverage policies from companies in Washington. Washington requires minimum coverage of:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 in property damage liability per accident

Sample Driver Profile

To find the best and most affordable companies for non-owner car insurance in Washington, we used a sample driver profile with these characteristics:

• 40-year-old male
• Clean driving record

For comprehensive details, see MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.