Non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts: Best and cheapest companies

Which companies offer the cheapest non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts?

Farmers has the cheapest non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts at an average annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. of $267. Safety Insurance is the second-cheapest insurer at $317 per year, although rates vary significantly between companies.

The table below shows the most affordable non-owner car insurance companies in Massachusetts.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Farmers	$267	$22
Safety Insurance	$317	$26
Arbella Insurance	$695	$58
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$728	$61
Progressive	$822	$68
N&D Group	$926	$77
GEICO	$1,066	$89

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What are the best non-owner car insurance companies in Massachusetts?

The best non-owner car insurance companies in Massachusetts are Safety Insurance, Arbella Insurance, and GEICO, based on average rates, customer satisfaction, and complaint ratios. These insurers offer reliable, competitively priced non-owner coverage.

To find the best non-owner car insurance companies in Massachusetts, 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.

The table below compares the top non-owner car insurance companies in Massachusetts.

Company	Average annual premium	J.D. Power	NAIC	A.M Best	Overall score
Safety Insurance	$317	617	0.07	A	4.48
Arbella Insurance	$695	609	0.15	A	3.87
GEICO	$1,066	639	0.60	A++	3.77
Farmers	$267	587	1.24	A	3.65
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$728	601	0.22	A-	3.61
Progressive	$822	582	0.60	A+	3.24

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Insurance.com's top choices for non-owner car insurance

Take a closer look at our top picks for non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts

Safety Insurance

Our number one pick for non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts is Safety Insurance. The average rate for liability coverage is $317. Safety Insurance has an AM Best score of A and an NAIC complaint ratio of 0.07.

Arbella Insurance

Arbella Insurance is another great option for non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts, with average rates of $695 per year. It has an AM Best rating of A and a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.15.

GEICO

Our third pick is GEICO. GEICO rates average $1,066. Its NAIC complaint ratio is 0.60, and it has a rating of A++.

PEOPLE ASK:

Do I need Massachusetts 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.

How much does non-owner car insurance cost in Massachusetts?

The average cost of non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts is $686 per year, but individual rates vary significantly based on factors such as driving history, ZIP code, and coverage limits

Your rate will vary based on:

Your driving record
The coverage levels on your policy
Your ZIP code

Non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts by age and gender

Younger drivers often pay more because they have less driving experience and higher accident rates. Rates often decrease after age 25 and stay lower through middle age.

How it works:

Teen drivers pay the highest rates due to lack of experience and a statistically higher risk of a crash
Rates start to level out around the age of 25 and continue to drop
Drivers in their 50s pay the lowest average rates
After 65, rates increase, but not dramatically

Even in a state that bans the use of age and gender for car insurance rates, like Massachusetts, your years of driving experience will still impact what you pay.

Below are the average non-owner car insurance rates in Massachusetts by age and gender.

Age group	Male	Female
Teens (16-19)	$1,659	$1,659
Young Adults (20-24)	$934	$934
Adults (25-60)	$688	$688
Seniors (65-75)	$711	$711

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Do you need non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts?

Drivers in Massachusetts may need non-owner car insurance if they frequently borrow or rent vehicles, need an SR-22 filing or want to maintain continuous coverage between cars. Drivers who own a vehicle, rarely drive or already have coverage through another policy generally do not need a non-owner policy.

You may need non-owner car insurance if:

You frequently drive cars owned by others and want an extra layer of protection
You frequently rent cars
You need insurance to file an SR-22 in order to reinstate your license
You want to prevent a lapse in coverage while in between cars

You don't need a non-owner policy if:

You own and insure your own vehicle
You only drive cars owned by others occasionally
You drive a company car for which insurance is provided by your employer

Non-owner vs. traditional car insurance

Non-owner car insurance costs less than standard car insurance because it provides minimal coverage. It only includes liability coverage, while standard auto insurance offers many additional types of coverage.

For example, non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts doesn't cover damage to the car you're driving or your injuries. Standard car insurance may include collision and comprehensive coverage to help pay for car repairs.

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 liability only	$686
Traditional state minimum policy	$789
State minimum car insurance limits	25/50/30

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What does Massachusetts non-owner car insurance cover?

A Massachusetts non-owner car insurance policy provides only the basic coverage required to drive legally. It satisfies all the minimum car insurance requirements in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts

Drivers in Massachusetts might need non-owner car insurance for different situations, like renting or borrowing a vehicle. However, this coverage typically only includes liability protection to cover property damage or injuries you cause to others. It does not cover you personally or any damage to the car you're driving.

Non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts costs an average of $686 per year. Farmers offers the cheapest average premium at $267. Based on our analysis of rates, complaint data and financial strength, Safety Insurance is the best overall insurer for non-owner coverage in Massachusetts.

Shop around to find the best Massachusetts non-owner car insurance available. Use the tool above to compare non-owner insurers in your area.

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++.

FAQ: Non-owner car insurance in Massachusetts

Do I need non-owner insurance to drive a friend's car in Massachusetts?

No. If you have permission to drive the vehicle, the owner's insurance policy usually covers you under the permissive use provision. However, non-owner insurance can provide extra liability protection if accident costs exceed the owner's policy limits or if you regularly borrow vehicles.

Can I use non-owner insurance for Uber or delivery driving in Massachusetts?

No. Non-owner insurance does not cover business driving, including rideshare or delivery work. Drivers working for Uber, Lyft or food delivery apps need rideshare or commercial auto insurance.