SR-22 Insurance for Non-Owners

If you have a conviction for a serious driving offense — such as a DUI or reckless driving — your state may require you to file an SR-22 form. Filing an SR-22 often goes hand-in-hand with purchasing a non-owner auto policy, but not always.

If you received a conviction for a severe driving infraction such as a DUI, the state would likely revoke your driver’s license. The state may require you to file an SR-22 form and hold an SR-22 car insurance policy for non-owners to reinstate your license.

While non-owner car insurance often goes hand-in-hand with an SR-22 filing requirement, they are not synonymous. An SR-22 is a form required by the state, and non-owner insurance is a unique policy available for occasional drivers.

If the state requires you to file an SR-22 and purchase non-owner insurance, the process may feel overwhelming to you. Not all insurance companies sell SR-22 insurance for non-owners since the SR-22 filing requirement makes someone a high-risk driver.

Luckily, you can find an SR-22 non-owner auto insurance policy that won’t break the bank with a bit of research and comparison shopping. Once you understand the requirements, compare quotes from a few auto insurance companies to find affordable rates.

What is SR-22 insurance for non-owners?

A non-owner car insurance policy is not the same as an SR-22 filing requirement. However, many drivers who need to file an SR-22 form must also purchase non-owner insurance. If you need to file an SR-22 form, you should understand the difference between this legal requirement and what type of car insurance you should purchase.

What is an SR-22 form?

An SR-22 form is also known as a certificate of financial responsibility, showing that you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. While requirements differ by state, liability auto insurance usually meets these standards.

Liability car insurance protects other drivers on the road from the financial repercussions of your actions while driving. Liability insurance compensates the other party for repairs, replacements, and medical bills if you cause injuries or damage to their personal property.

An SR-22 form guarantees you hold this minimum coverage that protects others. After a serious driving offense, you may need to file an SR-22 even if you cannot legally operate a motor vehicle.

A driver with a suspended license likely also needs to file an SR-22. Someone who has shown extreme disregard for road laws may not let a suspended license keep them from driving, so an SR-22 financially protects the potential victims of such a driver.

What is non-owner car insurance?

Non-owner car insurance is a unique policy suitable for occasional drivers who do not own a vehicle. It isn’t always for drivers who have a history of reckless driving because someone with a spotless driving history could still benefit from a non-owner insurance policy.

Who can purchase non-owner insurance?

Not everyone is eligible for non-owner insurance. As the name implies, you cannot buy a non-owner car insurance policy if you own a vehicle. You are also ineligible for non-owner insurance if someone in your household owns a car. 

You can purchase a non-owner car insurance policy if neither you nor anyone in your household owns a vehicle. This coverage type is suitable if you occasionally borrow a friend’s vehicle or rent cars.

If you are not required to file an SR-22 and meet the conditions above, a non-owner insurance policy can save you money on car insurance. It can be challenging to find a company that offers this type of policy, so you might need to contact an agent directly.

Whether a court-ordered SR-22 filing led you to search for non-owner insurance or you’re simply interested in it because you don’t drive often, you should understand what it covers and how to find a company that offers it.

What coverage does a non-owner SR-22 policy provide?

Non-owner insurance is usually liability-only coverage that protects other drivers on the road. So a non-owner insurance policy is secondary coverage, meaning the car owner’s policy is the primary coverage if the vehicle gets involved in a collision. When the vehicle in question is a rental car, the rental car insurance is the primary coverage that pays before non-owner insurance kicks in.

Sometimes, non-owner insurance is state-mandated and requires an SR-22 filing. The court might order additional coverage requirements in these situations.

Typically, non-owner liability auto insurance includes two core coverages:

• Property damage liability. This coverage compensates others for damages caused to their personal property from your driving.
• Bodily injury liability. Bodily injury pays for medical bills and other financial burdens due to injuries others sustain from your driving.

Depending on the state and court-mandated coverage, you might also need to include:

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. This coverage helps pay medical bills and other expenses if the other party is an uninsured motorist found to be at fault in an accident.
• Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Like uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage applies when the other party’s insurance cannot cover all damages.
• Personal injury protection. Personal injury protection covers your medical bills for injuries sustained in an accident, and no-fault states require this coverage.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance doesn’t include comprehensive or collision coverage, so it does not financially protect your car. If you want to insure your vehicle, non-owner insurance is likely not suitable. Instead, you should look into a full coverage auto insurance policy. 

If you don’t need to file an SR-22 and want non-owner insurance because you don’t drive often, you could consider a usage-based car insurance policy instead. This policy allows you more granular customization options for your coverage while saving you money vs. a traditional car insurance policy.

How do you obtain a non-owner insurance policy with an SR-22 filing?

It can be difficult to purchase SR-22 non-owner insurance, but not because of the lack of availability. Most leading car insurance companies offer non-owner insurance, but they don’t advertise it much. You may encounter some roadblocks when looking for SR-22 insurance because this filing indicates to the insurance company that you are a high-risk driver.

You can purchase non-owner SR-22 insurance coverage online, even if it is more challenging to secure than traditional car insurance. Many online applications ask if the state requires you to file an SR-22 form, so when you fill one out, you need to share your driving history.

It is common for car insurance companies to require high-risk SR-22 drivers to contact them directly by phone. After you complete your application, if you indicate that you need to file an SR-22, the car insurance company may withhold your quote. You will likely need to call an insurance agent to receive your quote.

This hurdle can make the comparison shopping process more lengthy, but comparing quotes is still worth your time. The rates for SR-22 non-owner insurance can be steep, so getting multiple quotes allows you to determine which company can save you the most money.

How much does non-owner SR-22 insurance cost?

Non-owner insurance is cheaper than a standard car insurance policy. Whether you are a standard, safe, or risky driver required to file an SR-22, you will pay more affordable rates with a non-owner car insurance policy.

Below are the average rates for non-owner vs. regular car insurance:

To approximate the annual rates for SR-22 car insurance, we compared liability rates for a safe driver to a driver with one DUI on record.

In addition to the rate increase, there is a one-time filing fee for an SR-22 form ranging from $15 to $35.

How do you find SR-22 insurance for non-owners?

If you have a conviction for a serious traffic violation, your state may require you to file an SR-22 form. You might also need to hold non-owner car insurance, even if you are not allowed to drive. 

Non-owner SR-22 insurance protects other drivers on the road from the financial burden that a risky driver presents. This coverage also provides a chance for high-risk drivers to prove to the state that they are willing to comply with the law, effectively giving them a second chance at driving.

It can be challenging to find a company willing to take a chance on a high-risk driver needing SR-22 insurance. Luckily, some insurance companies specialize in insuring risky drivers. You can find the right company for you with a bit of research. 

If you want to save money on your non-owner SR-22 insurance, you should compare quotes from multiple companies. By comparison shopping, you can ensure you get the best deal on car insurance.