Non-Owner SR22 Insurance Explained

A common misconception about SR22 is that you need to own a car to get it. You do not. If you have had your license suspended and need SR22 to reinstate it, but you do not currently own a vehicle, a non-owner SR22 policy is the right solution. Here is what it is, who needs it, and how much it costs.

What Non-Owner SR22 Insurance Is

A non-owner SR22 policy is a liability-only auto insurance policy designed for licensed drivers who do not own a vehicle. It covers bodily injury and property damage liability when you drive a vehicle you do not own, such as a rental car or a borrowed car. The policy includes an SR22 certificate filed with your state, satisfying the reinstatement requirement.

Non-owner policies do not include collision or comprehensive coverage, because there is no owned vehicle to cover. That is what keeps the premiums low.

Who Should Get Non-Owner SR22?

Non-owner SR22 is the right option for drivers who:

• Need to reinstate a suspended license but do not currently own a car.
• Rely on public transit, ride-shares, or walking for daily transportation but occasionally borrow or rent vehicles.
• Sold their vehicle after a DUI or suspension and have not yet purchased a replacement.
• Are in a household where other people own vehicles, but the SR22-required driver is not a named insured on those vehicles.

It is also common for people who move to a city with good public transit (like Chicago or Seattle) to use non-owner SR22 to maintain their license while going months or years without driving regularly.

What Non-Owner SR22 Covers (and What It Does Not)

Non-owner SR22 covers:

• Bodily injury liability to other people if you cause an accident while driving a borrowed or rented vehicle.
• Property damage liability to other people's vehicles or property.

Non-owner SR22 does not cover:

• Damage to the vehicle you are driving (no collision coverage).
• Vehicles you own or that are regularly available to you in your household.
• Your own medical expenses (no personal injury protection).

If you are regularly driving a specific vehicle owned by someone in your household, you typically need to be added as a named insured or additional driver on that vehicle's policy rather than relying on a non-owner policy.

Is Non-Owner SR22 Cheaper Than Standard SR22?

Yes, in almost every case. Because there is no vehicle to insure, the liability risk is lower than a standard owner policy. Non-owner SR22 policies are typically 30 to 50 percent less expensive than a comparable owner policy with SR22. For drivers who do not need to own a car right now, this is a significant cost advantage during the SR22 period.

How to Get Non-Owner SR22

The process is the same as getting any SR22 policy. Call a licensed agent, provide your license information and violation history, and the agent will find you a non-owner quote that includes SR22 filing. The SR22 is submitted to your state electronically, usually the same day. See our dedicated non-owner SR22 page for more details specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions