The Complete Guide to Non-Owner Car Insurance in Texas

Non-owner car insurance may be a good option if you’re a Texas driver who doesn’t own a car but regularly borrows someone else’s or needs an SR-22.

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Jamie Johnson
Written byJamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson
Jamie JohnsonInsurance Writer

Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance.

For the past seven years, she’s dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.

Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.

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Non-owner car insurance is a liability policy for people who don’t own a vehicle but regularly drive someone else’s.[1] If you usually borrow a friend’s car, rent one, or the state requires you to show proof of insurance, you could benefit from this type of policy.

Texas requires all drivers to meet the minimum liability insurance requirements, and non-owner car insurance helps you do this. Let’s look at how non-owner car insurance works and some of the best insurers in Texas to consider.

Key Takeaways
  • Non-owner car insurance includes only bodily injury and property damage liability, which pay for injuries or damages you cause to other drivers.

  • State Farm, GEICO, and Nationwide are some of the best non-owner car insurance companies in Texas.

  • Non-owner car insurance costs vary, but it’s less expensive than standard liability car insurance policies.

What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?

Non-owner car insurance is a type of liability coverage for drivers who don’t own a car but regularly need to drive someone else’s vehicle. It covers the other driver’s (and their passenger’s) injuries or damages if you cause an accident, but it doesn’t pay for your injuries or the borrowed car’s damages.

But keep in mind that a non-owner policy kicks in only after you’ve exhausted the owner’s existing coverage. For example, if you cause an accident that leads to $50,000 in damages, the existing coverage on the vehicle will cover expenses up to the owner’s coverage limits. Non-owner insurance will pay for only what exceeds those limits.

The policy won’t cover everything but should meet Texas’ minimum-coverage requirements — especially if you have an SR-22 or other requirement to maintain consistent insurance coverage.

What it covers

  • Injuries: If you cause an accident, bodily injury liability coverage pays for the other driver’s medical expenses, lost income, and funeral expenses.

  • Property damage: If you’re at fault for the accident, property damage liability coverage pays to repair or replace the other driver’s car or property, such as their fence. 

  • Hit-and-runs: You can decline this, but if your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, it protects you if the other driver doesn’t have any insurance or enough coverage.

What it doesn’t cover

  • The vehicle you’re driving: Non-owner car insurance doesn’t include collision or comprehensive coverage, so it won’t cover things like accident damage, severe weather damage, theft, or vandalism.

  • Your medical bills: Since it doesn’t include personal injury protection or medical payments coverage, you’ll have to use your personal health insurance or pay for these costs out of pocket.

When You Might Need Non-Owner Coverage

Man in a suit smiling while using a laptop at a table, with a smartphone and coffee cup nearby in a modern, well-lit space.

If you don’t own a vehicle, it’s easy to assume you don’t need to purchase car insurance. But you may want to consider a non-owner car insurance policy if you fall into one of the following categories.

You regularly rent cars

If you frequently rent cars, buying non-owner car insurance may be less expensive than buying the rental car company’s insurance. It won’t cover damages to your rental. Instead, you may be able to purchase a collision damage waiver from the rental company to cover the damages or a stolen rental car.[2]

You’re borrowing a friend’s or family member’s car

If you regularly borrow a friend’s or family member’s car, it might be worth considering non-owner auto insurance. The car owner’s insurance will pay out first, but a non-owner policy can protect you if the costs exceed the owner’s liability limits.

You need to meet Texas’ SR-22 requirements

If you need to reinstate your driver’s license after a car crash or DUI, the state requires you to file an SR-22 with the Texas Department of Public Safety.[3] If you no longer own a car but need to maintain coverage, a non-owner policy can help you do so

Your Options for Non-Owner Car Insurance in Texas

Interstate 40 West sign in Texas against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Several companies — including Progressive, GEICO, and State Farm — offer non-owner car insurance policies in Texas. Most of these policies provide liability coverage, which pays for the other driver’s injuries or damages to their vehicles. This can be helpful if you frequently borrow a vehicle or need insurance to reinstate a suspended license.

Progressive and GEICO’s non-owner policy includes bodily injury and property injury liability coverage. State Farm also provides coverage if an uninsured motorist hits you while you’re riding a bike or motorized scooter. And some other insurance companies — like Direct Auto — may also offer medical payments coverage.

Non-owner insurance serves as proof of insurance if you’re a Texas driver who doesn’t own a vehicle and needs an SR-22. When applying for coverage, it’s a good idea to present a valid Texas driver’s license.

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The Best Companies for Non-Owner Insurance in Texas

No insurance company will be the best option for everyone, so it’s always important to shop around and compare your options. We chose the following three insurance companies based on a combination of availability, customer satisfaction, industry awards, and available coverage.

#1 State Farm

Compare.com Rating: 5 out of 5

Average liability premium: $56 per month

Pros
  • Large network of agents

  • Above-average J.D. Power customer score[4]

  • Many discounts available

Cons
  • Some discounts may not apply to non-owner policies

  • Gap insurance not available

  • Accident forgiveness not available

State Farm is one of the best companies for non-owner car insurance in Texas thanks to its network of over 19,000 insurance agents. The company offers competitive rates, and you can earn a discount by bundling multiple policies together. State Farm also received an above-average rating for overall customer satisfaction by J.D. Power.

#2 GEICO

Compare.com Rating: 4.95 out of 5

Average liability premium: $55 per month

Pros
  • Fast online quote process

  • Above-average score in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study

  • Can file SR-22 insurance for you

Cons
  • Drivers with a history of driving incidents may receive higher rates 

  • Gap insurance not available

  • Rideshare insurance not available

GEICO is a great choice for anyone looking for affordable car insurance in Texas due to the company’s easy online quoting process. As a customer, you can use the GEICO mobile app to access your insurance card, request roadside assistance, or submit photos for an estimate.

#3 Nationwide

Compare.com Rating: 4.88 out of 5

Average liability premium: $87 per month

Pros
  • Accident forgiveness available

  • Many discounts available

  • AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent)[5]

Cons
  • May be more expensive than other insurers

  • Below-average J.D. Power scores

  • Low Trustpilot rating[6]

Nationwide is a good choice for Texas drivers thanks to its unique policy add-ons. In addition to standard coverages, like collision and liability insurance, you can add accident forgiveness, a vanishing deductible, and roadside assistance to your insurance policy. The company also offers a wide variety of discounts to help you save money on car insurance.

What You Can Expect to Pay for Non-Owner Insurance in Texas

Car with a Texas license plate covered in ice, featuring icicles hanging from the bumper and grille.

Non-owner car insurance costs less than standard car insurance. But the cost of non-owner car insurance can vary substantially depending on your driving history, coverage level, and how often you use someone else’s vehicle.

For context, the average liability policy in Texas costs $122 per month, according to Compare.com data. A typical non-owner policy will likely come in below that, but it largely depends on the factors mentioned above.

Rates can also vary significantly from one insurer to the next, so it’s important to shop around to find the best deal. Apply for quotes from at least three different insurance companies and compare the monthly rate and coverage level you’d receive from each.

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Non-Owner Insurance Alternatives

If you rarely drive or are saving money to buy a car, you may not need non-owner auto insurance. But if you need auto coverage and can’t secure non-owner car insurance, some alternatives you can consider include:

  • Someone else adds you to their policy: If you only drive a specific person’s car, such as a close relative, you can ask that person to consider adding you to their car insurance policy. This may be a cheaper alternative to non-owner car insurance and provide more robust coverage.

  • Rental car insurance: If you regularly rent vehicles, you can purchase a policy through the rental car company. This could be a good option if you only need a rental car on occasion. But if you frequently use rental cars, this might cost more.

  • Credit card rental coverage: Some credit cards offer rental insurance as a perk when you use the card to pay for your car rental. But this option doesn’t cover certain cars, so be sure to check the fine print to see if it makes sense for you.

Texas Non-Owner Insurance FAQs

Check out common questions people ask about non-owner car insurance in Texas.

  • Does Texas allow non-owner car insurance?

    Yes. Texas allows you to buy a non-owner policy if you don’t own a car but regularly borrow someone else’s. This policy provides liability coverage that pays for others’ injuries or damages in an accident you cause.

  • Can you insure a car in Texas that isn’t in your name?

    It depends. You can get car insurance on a car that isn’t in your name in certain situations and if the insurer allows it. One way is to ask the owner to add you to their policy. You can also purchase a non-owner insurance policy if you frequently rent or borrow someone’s car.

  • Does GEICO offer non-owner car insurance in Texas?

    Yes. GEICO offers non-owner car insurance in Texas. The policy provides liability coverage, and if you need to meet SR-22 requirements, it ensures you meet the legal requirements to drive a vehicle you don’t own. To learn more, you can apply for a quote on GEICO’s website.

  • What’s the cheapest car insurance company in Texas?

    The cheapest car insurance company in Texas is State Farm, with an average monthly rate of $41, according to our research. But it may not be the cheapest option for you, so it’s important to shop around to find the best rate.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Related articles

Sources

  1. Texas.gov. "Auto insurance guide."
  2. III. "Rental car insurance."
  3. Department of Public Safety. "Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22)."
  4. Jdpower.com. "2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study."
  5. Ambest.com. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Its Key Operating Subsidiaries."
  6. Trustpilot. "Nationwide."
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Jamie Johnson
Jamie JohnsonInsurance Writer

Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance.

For the past seven years, she’s dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.

Lequita Westbrooks
Edited byLequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.

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