If you don’t own a car but still need auto insurance coverage, non-owner car insurance could be a good option for you. Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage when you drive vehicles that belong to others.
One of the top providers of non-owner car insurance is GEICO. But should you get non-owner coverage from them? Here’s what you need to know about GEICO’s non-owner insurance and whether it’s the right choice for your needs.
What is Non Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner car insurance, also known as named operator policies, provides liability coverage when you drive a vehicle you don’t own. It will cover damages and injuries you cause to others when driving a rented, borrowed, or shared car.
Non-owner policies do not cover:
- Damage to the vehicle you are driving
- Your medical bills or lost wages if you are injured
- Comprehensive or collision damage
Non-owner insurance only provides liability protection. It’s meant for those who need to drive regularly but don’t own their own car. Common situations where non-owner policies are useful include:
- Young drivers on their parents’ policy
- Drivers who sold their car but still need to drive
- Those who borrow cars frequently
Non-owner insurance provides a minimum level of coverage when you drive vehicles owned by others. It protects you from major liability expenses without requiring you to purchase a full auto insurance policy.
Why Consider GEICO for Non Owner Insurance?
GEICO is one of the largest auto insurers in the U.S. Here are some of the key reasons you may want to consider them for non-owner car insurance:
- Large insurer with strong financial ratings – GEICO has an A++ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best, indicating excellent financial strength to pay out claims. Their size gives peace of mind.
- Discount opportunities – GEICO offers a variety of discounts that can potentially lower your premium, including for being a safe driver, having multiple policies with GEICO, taking a defensive driving course, and more.
- Reputation for good customer service – GEICO routinely earns high marks for customer service satisfaction and claims handling from institutions like J.D. Power.
- Easy online quotes – You can get a fast online quote for non-owner car insurance directly through GEICO’s website with just a few pieces of information.
- Month-to-month policies – GEICO allows you to go month-to-month on non-owner insurance, which offers flexibility if you only need coverage for a short period.
So if you want a policy from a leading insurer, discounts to potentially lower your rate, and convenience, GEICO checks a lot of boxes.
GEICO Non Owner Car Insurance Coverage Options
GEICO offers competitive coverage options with non-owner insurance. Here are the different policies you can get:
- Basic liability coverage – This covers bodily injury and property damage liability if you cause an accident while driving another vehicle. It meets minimum requirements in most states.
- Comprehensive coverage – This adds protection for damage to the non-owned vehicle you’re driving. It covers theft, vandalism, fire, weather events, animal collisions, and more.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage – This pays for injuries to you and your passengers if you’re hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance.
- Medical payments coverage – This pays for medical treatment for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
- Roadside assistance – This add-on provides towing and labor if you break down while driving a non-owned car.
You can customize your GEICO policy with different levels of liability coverage and any optional add-ons you want. Just keep in mind non-owner insurance never includes collision or comprehensive coverage.
How Much is GEICO Non Owner Insurance?
Cost is often a major factor when shopping for non-owner car insurance. Rates for a GEICO non-owner policy will depend on factors like:
- Your age
- Your driving record and credit score
- The level of liability coverage you select
- Which optional coverage you add
- The state where you live
On average though, GEICO offers very competitive pricing on non-owner car insurance. To give an idea of potential costs, here are some sample GEICO quotes for minimum liability non-owner coverage:
- 30-year-old driver with clean record: $220 – $301 per year
- 50-year-old driver with speeding ticket: $255 – $350 per year
- 18-year-old driver with no violations: $1,593 – $2,120 per year
Always compare quotes from multiple insurers, as rates can vary significantly. But GEICO is likely to be among the more affordable options for non-owner insurance in most cases.
How to Get a GEICO Non Owner Insurance Quote
It’s quick and easy to get a free, personalized quote for GEICO non-owner insurance:
- Go to GEICO’s website.
- Enter your zip code and click “Start Quote.”
- Provide information like your age, driving history, and coverage needs.
- Select whether you want month-to-month or longer 6 or 12 month policies.
- Review your quote details and adjust coverage if desired.
- Provide contact info to receive your official personalized quote.
The whole process takes less than 10 minutes in most cases. GEICO also has licensed agents available by phone if you need help or want to discuss quotes.
Pros and Cons of GEICO Non Owner Insurance
To decide if GEICO is the right insurer for your non-owner policy, weigh the key pros and cons:
Pros
- Competitive pricing and discounts
- Policies available month-to-month
- Strong financial rating
- Good customer satisfaction
- Convenient online quotes and claims
Cons
- Limited local agent availability
- Mixed claims reviews from some customers
- Fewer discounts than some other insurers
- Lower J.D. Power claims servicing ratings than competitors (still good)
For most drivers, the pros of lower costs and convenience appear to outweigh the cons for a basic non-owner liability policy.
When to Consider Other Providers
While GEICO is a top option, other insurers may beat GEICO’s rates in certain situations:
- Young drivers – Insurers like State Farm offer steep discounts for teen drivers.
- Regional companies – Local and regional insurers can offer better rates in some states.
- Specialized discounts – Some companies cater to educators and certain professions.
- Bundling policies – Bundling renters or homeowners insurance may provide savings.
Always compare quotes from at least 3 providers when shopping for non-owner insurance. Make sure to get quotes from national companies like GEICO as well as regional insurers.
Limits of Non-Owner Car Insurance
While non-owner liability coverage provides important protection, it has significant gaps:
- No coverage for damage to the car you’re driving.
- No medical payments or personal injury protection.
- Typically low liability limits.
- No physical damage coverage.
- Limited rental reimbursement.
Review the vehicle owner’s policy and purchase supplemental coverage as needed. Rental car companies also offer optional insurance to fill gaps. Understand the restrictions before driving a borrowed vehicle.
Alternatives to Non-Owner Car Insurance
In some cases, alternatives to a non-owner policy may make more sense:
- Pay-per-mile insurance – Metromile charges based on actual mileage driven. Can be cheaper for infrequent drivers.
- Rental car insurance – Purchase a rental company’s supplemental liability coverage instead of a full policy.
- Ridesharing coverage – Get added protection through Uber or Lyft if driving for a rideshare service.
- Family member’s policy – See if you can be insured under a family policy instead, which may be cheaper.
Compare all options before deciding if a non-owner policy is your best choice. Make sure you have adequate coverage for your situation.
Is GEICO Right for You?
GEICO is a top choice if you need affordable, basic liability coverage while driving cars owned by others. Consider GEICO if:
- You have a clean driving record to qualify for discounts.
- You drive borrowed or rental cars frequently.
- You need the absolute lowest rates.
- You want the convenience of managing a policy online/via mobile.
For young drivers and those needing more complete coverage, other insurers may provide better options. Get quotes from national and regional companies to make sure you find the optimal non-owner policy.
Frequently Asked Questions about GEICO Non Owner Insurance
If you’re considering getting a non-owner policy through GEICO, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the key FAQs:
Do you have to be a GEICO auto insurance customer to get their non-owner insurance?
No, you do not need to have an auto policy with GEICO to get their non-owner insurance. Anyone can get a quote and buy GEICO non-owner coverage, even if they have insurance through a different company or no other insurance.
What vehicles can you drive with GEICO non-owner insurance?
A GEICO non-owner policy will cover you when driving private passenger vehicles like cars, SUVs, and pickups that belong to someone else. This includes borrowed vehicles, rental cars, car share vehicles, and test drive vehicles. The non-owned car just needs to fit under your policy’s definition of a covered vehicle.
How long can you drive a non-owned car with GEICO’s policy?
GEICO non-owner insurance policies allow occasional or infrequent use of non-owned vehicles. There is no set limit on the number of days you can drive another car. Just don’t drive any single non-owned vehicle for an extended period, or coverage could be denied.
Does GEICO non-owner insurance cover business use of a vehicle?
No, GEICO non-owner policies do not cover business use of a non-owned vehicle. For rideshare driving, food delivery, or other commercial use of someone else’s car, a business or commercial auto policy is required.
Can you rent a car with GEICO non-owner insurance?
Yes, GEICO’s non-owner coverage will protect you when renting a car, as long as it’s only for personal use, not business. Confirm the rental company’s minimum liability requirements though, as you may need to increase limits. Many require $100,000 or more per person.
What discounts are available on GEICO non-owner policies?
GEICO offers several discounts on non-owner car insurance. Available discounts include multi-policy, anti-theft device, anti-lock brakes, defensive driving course, good student, federal employee, and emergency deployment. Discounts can vary by state.
The Bottom Line
Non-owner car insurance through GEICO provides affordable liability protection when driving non-owned vehicles. A policy can give you convenient flexibility if you occasionally need to drive other cars. Just compare GEICO’s pricing and coverage options against competitors to make sure you get the right policy at the best rate for your situation. With a little research, GEICO can be a great choice for non-owner auto insurance.
Resources
Overview of non-owner car insurance
GEICO’s non-owner insurance options
J.D. Power survey on non-owner insurance rates
GEICO good driver discount information