Non-Owner Car Insurance in Ohio: What You Need to Know

Non-owner car insurance is great for Ohio drivers who don’t own a car but still drive often or want to avoid a coverage lapse.
Written by Matthew Lynaugh
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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The average cost of non-owner car insurance in Ohio is $341 per year. If you do not own a car but frequently drive or want to avoid a lapse in coverage, this insurance is a smart, affordable option.
Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage to drivers who do not own their own car but still drive often, by way of rental cars, borrowed vehicles, or car-sharing services. Read on to learn what this insurance covers, how much it costs, and how to get it in Ohio. 

What does non-owner car insurance cover? 

Non-owner car insurance is a form of liability insurance that covers repair costs for other vehicles and medical expenses for other drivers due to an accident you cause. The coverage you choose will typically act as secondary coverage to the vehicle owner’s existing insurance policy.
Other coverages popular in Ohio can also be added, such as
medical payments coverage
,
personal injury protection
, and
uninsured motorist coverage
. It’s important to note that
collision
and
comprehensive coverage
cannot be added, because a non-owner policy only covers you as the driver, and not the vehicle you were driving.
Ohio car insurance laws
enforce liability limits of $25,000 of
bodily injury liability
per person and $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, as well as $25,000 of
property damage liability
If you’re borrowing a vehicle and its owner only has a minimum liability policy, you could have to pay hefty costs if you are in an accident, footing the cost of damage that exceeds the owner’s liability limits in addition to any medical expenses you incur—so keep this in mind as you select limits for your own policy. 
MORE: Collision vs. comprehensive car insurance
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Average cost of non-owner car insurance in Ohio

Non-owner insurance policies in Ohio are some of the most affordable rates when it comes to car insurance, with drivers paying an average of $341 per year if they have a clean driving history. If you have a serious violation like reckless driving, however, your annual rates are likely to spike.
This cost is significantly cheaper than a traditional car insurance policy in Ohio—and immensely cheaper than a
full coverage
policy that includes comprehensive and collision coverage. 

The best Ohio auto insurance companies for non-owner car insurance

There are only three car insurance providers that offer non-owner car insurance to new customers in all 50 states:
GEICO
,
State Farm
, and
Nationwide
. If you’re trying to get a feel for the market and looking for quotes, these insurers are a good place to start.
Several insurance companies specialize in covering high-risk drivers by offering non-owner SR-22 insurance. Insurers like
The General
and Dairyland are solid options for non-owner car insurance if you have a less-than-stellar driving record.
Want to compare non-owner car insurance quotes from some of the most affordable insurers in Ohio? The table below has what you need to know.

Cheapest Ohio non-owner car insurance companies

Company
Average annual premium
Average monthly premium
Average annual SR-22 premium
Average monthly SR-22 premium
USAA
$126
$11
$181
$15
GEICO
$193
$16
$363
$30
State Farm
$216
$18
$216
$18
Travelers
$289
$24
$382
$32

Who needs a non-owner car insurance policy?

Non-owner car insurance policies are ideal for these three scenarios: 
  • If you don’t own a car but frequently borrow someone else’s, rent a car, or use car-sharing services like Zipcar, purchasing additional coverage on top of
    rental car insurance
    may be wise.
  • If you need SR-22 insurance to get your driver’s license reinstated, purchasing non-owner auto insurance is usually the best (and cheapest) way to do so. 
  • If you’re going to be without a car temporarily, and want to avoid a
    lapse in coverage
    , non-owner insurance can help prevent your rates from increasing dramatically when you insure a vehicle later on.
You don’t need to buy non-owner car insurance if you only borrow a friend’s car every now and then—the car owner’s policy will typically cover you while you’re driving it. And if you only rent a car a couple of times a year for vacation or work,
rental car insurance coverage
is typically all you’ll need.
If you frequently drive someone else’s vehicle, make sure to ask the owner what
types of car insurance
they have and what their coverage limits are. 

How to get non-owner car insurance in Ohio

If you have a valid driver’s license but don’t have a car or regular access to one, you are eligible for non-owner car insurance in Ohio. You can contact an insurance agent to request a quote, or use an insurance comparison tool to access quotes from multiple providers at once. 
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