- Cheapest non-owner car insurance companies in California
- Best non-owner car insurance in California
- Insurance.com's top choices for non-owner car insurance
- Average cost of non-owner car insurance in California
- Non-owner car insurance in California by age and gender
- Non-owner vs. traditional car insurance
- What does California non-owner car insurance cover?
- The bottom line: Non-owner car insurance in California
- Methodology
- Compare California non-owners car insurance rates with other states
Cheapest non-owner car insurance companies in California
Kemper offers the lowest non-owner car insurance rates in California, with an average cost of $145. The next most affordable option is Auto Club Enterprises (AAA), which has an average rate of $173.
The table below lists the most budget-friendly non-owner car insurance companies in California.
| Company | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Kemper | $145 | $12 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $173 | $14 |
| Farmers | $215 | $18 |
| Mercury Insurance | $304 | $25 |
| Travelers | $371 | $31 |
| Nationwide | $376 | $31 |
| Progressive | $384 | $32 |
| GEICO | $391 | $33 |
| State Farm | $440 | $37 |
| USAA | $197 | $16 |
Best non-owner car insurance in California
While Farmers is the top choice, Travelers and GEICO are also great options for non-owner coverage.
To find the best non-owner car insurance companies in California, we looked at several factors, including how many complaints each company receives, financial stability and average rates. We used rate data from Quadrant Information Services as well as third-party ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The table below shows a comparison of the best non-owner car insurance companies in California.
| Company | Average annual premium | J.D. Power | NAIC | AM Best | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | $215 | 810 | 0.80 | A | 3.58 |
| Travelers | $371 | 810 | 0.49 | A++ | 3.41 |
| GEICO | $391 | 830 | 0.91 | A++ | 3.29 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $173 | 832 | 2.21 | A+ | 3.24 |
| State Farm | $440 | 826 | 0.70 | A++ | 3.21 |
| Nationwide | $376 | 794 | 0.64 | A+ | 3.20 |
| Progressive | $384 | 809 | 0.65 | A+ | 3.18 |
| Mercury Insurance | $304 | 794 | 0.84 | A | 3.09 |
| Kemper Insurance | $145 | 736 | 2.16 | A- | 2.45 |
Insurance.com's top choices for non-owner car insurance
Take a closer look at our top picks for non-owner car insurance in California.
Farmers
Farmers is our top choice for non-owner car insurance in California. Its average annual non-owner car insurance cost is $215. Farmers has an AM Best score of A and a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.8.
Travelers
Travelers is also a great choice for non-owner car insurance in California, offering coverage at an average annual rate of $371. It has earned an AM Best rating of A++ and maintains a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.49.
GEICO
Our third choice is GEICO, with an average rate of $391. It has an NAIC complaint ratio of 0.91 and an AM Best rating of A++.
PEOPLE ASK:
Do I need California non-owner car insurance to drive a friend's car?
Probably not, unless you use the car a lot. If you only drive your friend's car occasionally, their insurance usually covers it under something called permissive use-as long as it's less than 12 times a year. Still, it's a good idea to check with your friend's insurance company just to be sure.
Average cost of non-owner car insurance in California
The average cost of non-owner car insurance in California is $299, but your rate may differ depending on your driving record, age and the coverage you choose.
Non-owner car insurance in California by age and gender
Both your age and gender can affect your insurance rates, whether you're looking for non-owner or standard car insurance in California.
Age is a key factor in determining car insurance rates. Since younger drivers have less experience and a higher chance of being involved in accidents, insurance companies charge them higher premiums to cover the risk.
Gender also influences car insurance rates in many states. Men are generally seen as higher-risk drivers and are more likely to be involved in accidents, which often leads to higher insurance premiums.
Below are the average non-owner car insurance rates in California by age and gender.
| Age group | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Teens (16-19) | $711 | $710 |
| Young Adults (20-24) | $420 | $420 |
| Adults (25-60) | $305 | $305 |
| Seniors (65-75) | $327 | $326 |
Non-owner vs. traditional car insurance
Non-owner car insurance is typically cheaper than standard car insurance since coverage is minimal. Non-owner car insurance only includes liability coverage, while owner car insurance can include a lot more coverage.
For example, non-owner car insurance in California doesn't pay for damages to the car you're driving or any injuries you sustain. Owner car insurance can include collision and comprehensive coverage to pay for vehicle damages.
Furthermore, because insurance companies anticipate that people who don't own a car will drive less frequently, and because non-owner car insurance is secondary to the owner's policy, the risk of a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. is much lower.
The table below compares average annual rates for non-owner and owner car insurance.
| Non-owners state minimum policy | $299 |
| Traditional state minimum policy | $551 |
| State minimum car insurance limits | 15/30/5 |
What does California non-owner car insurance cover?
A California non-owner car insurance policy provides only the basic coverage required to drive legally. It satisfies all the minimum car insurance requirements in California, but it won't cover any damage to the vehicle you're driving.
Non-owner car insurance is considered secondary coverage, meaning it only kicks in after the car owner's policy limits are exceeded.
The bottom line: Non-owner car insurance in California
California drivers may need non-owner car insurance for various reasons, such as renting or borrowing a car. However, this type of coverage typically only offers liability coverage to pay for property damage or bodily injuries you cause to others. Coverage does not extend to you or the vehicle you're driving.
In California, non-owner car insurance costs an average of $299, with Kemper offering the most affordable rates. Based on our research, Farmers stands out as the best overall option. Remember, factors like your age, gender and driving history can significantly affect your insurance rates.
Methodology
170+
insurance companies analyzed
34,000+
ZIP codes examined
$53M
insurance quotes analyzed
Non-owner car insurance rates were fielded by Quadrant Data Services for a sample policy based on:
- A 40-year-old driver
- A clean record
- Good credit
- State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage
Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:
- Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
- Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
- AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.
Compare California non-owners car insurance rates with other states
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