Your Complete Guide to Non-Owner Car Insurance in Georgia

If you need to drive but don’t own a car, non-owner car insurance can provide affordable coverage in Georgia. This type of policy covers your liability when operating a vehicle you don’t own. Keep reading to learn all about non-owner insurance requirements, costs, and the best providers in Georgia.

What is Non-Owner Car Insurance?

Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage when you drive cars that don’t belong to you. It’s ideal if you:

• Drive rented, borrowed, or company cars frequently
• Own a car but it’s not registered in your name
• Are required to file an SR-22 but don’t have a vehicle
• Have a suspended license but need to drive occasionally

With a non-owner policy, you are covered for:

• Damage you cause to other people’s property
• Bodily injury to other drivers

The car itself is not covered. You only have liability protection as the non-owner driver.

Georgia Requirements for Non-Owner Car Insurance

To drive legally in Georgia, these are the minimum auto liability limits you must have:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 property damage

So your non-owner policy must include at least this much coverage to comply with state requirements.

Who Needs Non-Owner Car Insurance in Georgia?

Non-owner car insurance is recommended for:

New drivers – Teens and other new drivers can get experience with an affordable non-owner policy before purchasing their own car.

Individuals with a suspended license – A non-owner policy provides legal coverage so you can drive when necessary.

Assigned risk drivers – High-risk drivers unable to get regular car insurance can often qualify for a non-owner policy.

Senior drivers – Older drivers who gave up their keys can maintain insurance to legally drive rented and borrowed vehicles.

SR-22 requirements – Non-owner insurance can satisfy Georgia’s SR-22 filing requirement if you don’t have a car.

Uber/Delivery drivers – Rideshare and delivery drivers use non-owner policies to cover them in vehicles they don’t own while working.

Vehicle borrowers – Non-owner insurance protects those who frequently borrow or rent cars short-term.

Military personnel – Troops stationed in Georgia temporarily can insure themselves while driving without registering a car.

Foreign drivers – Non-citizens with an international license use this coverage when driving in Georgia without a registered vehicle.

Cost of Non-Owner Car Insurance in Georgia

On average, non-owner car insurance costs $400 to $1,000 per year in Georgia. However, rates vary based on:

• Age – Teen drivers pay the most, over $1,000 annually, while those 25+ pay under $800 typically.

• Driving record – Drivers with recent incidents like accidents, DUIs, and tickets have higher premiums.

• Credit score – Those with poor credit pay up to 114% more compared to drivers with good credit.

• Location – Premiums are most expensive in larger cities like Atlanta versus rural areas.

• Mileage – Some companies base rates partially on how many miles you drive annually.

• Insurance company – Each provider uses its own formulas, so premiums differ.

To get the best rate, compare quotes from multiple top insurers like State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO. Consider a higher deductible and any discounts you may qualify for.

How to Buy Non-Owner Car Insurance in Georgia

Follow these steps when purchasing a non-owner policy:

1. Determine your needs – Decide which coverages beyond state minimums you require. Bodily injury, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist are common extras.

2. Compare provider quotes – Get premium estimates from at least 3 top insurers. Compare coverage offerings and pricing.

3. Submit your application – Provide details like your driver’s license, Social Security Number, and any cars you have access to.

4. Pay your premium – Provide a down payment upfront, then pay monthly or in full. Set up autopay to avoid lapses.

5. Receive policy documents – Review your declaration page, insurance cards, and full policy when received.

6. Alert lenders if needed – Inform any finance companies if you are insuring their vehicle through your non-owner policy.

Top Non-Owner Car Insurance Providers in Georgia

GEICO and USAA offer the most affordable premiums for Georgia non-owner car insurance policies on average. State Farm also has competitive rates while providing local agents for personalized service.

For assigned risk drivers with poor records, Allstate, Progressive, and National General are among the few companies that may provide coverage.

When comparing providers, consider premiums along with customer satisfaction, financial strength ratings, available discounts, and extra policy features.

Discounts to Consider for Non-Owner Insurance

Ask your insurance agent in Georgia about these common discounts to reduce your policy’s cost:

• Multi-policy discount for bundling home or renters insurance
• Safe driver discount for 3+ years of incident-free driving
• Good student discount for young drivers earning high GPAs
• Defensive driving course completion
• Auto-pay and paperless billing discounts
• Affinity group memberships like AAA, military, etc.

Bear in mind that discounts vary widely between insurers. Some companies don’t offer any reductions for non-owner insurance.

When is Non-Owner Insurance Required in Georgia?

The most common situation when non-owner insurance is mandatory in Georgia is for SR-22 filings. If your license was suspended or revoked, the DMV likely requires you to carry liability insurance and file an SR-22.

A non-owner policy satisfies this requirement if you don’t have a registered vehicle. The insurer files the SR-22 form with the state on your behalf as proof of coverage.

You’ll need to maintain non-owner insurance and the SR-22 for 3 years usually. This allows you to legally drive while proving financial responsibility.

Alternatives to Non-Owner Car Insurance

Non-owner insurance provides the most flexible coverage for driving other people’s cars in Georgia. But here are a few alternative options to consider:

• Being added to a friend or family member’s policy – You can be listed as an additional insured driver on someone else’s car insurance policy if you drive their vehicle frequently. This provides coverage without purchasing your own policy, but there may be fees.

• Rental car insurance – When renting a car, opting for the rental company’s damage waiver and liability insurance covers you during the rental term only. But this insurance can be expensive if rented frequently.

• Ridesharing services – Relying on taxis, buses, Uber/Lyft, and carpooling is cheaper than car insurance if you don’t drive often. The downside is you don’t have the freedom of your own vehicle.

• Going without insurance – Driving without coverage is illegal. The penalties if caught are fines, suspended license, impounded car, and potentially jail time. Never drive uninsured.

Is Non-Owner Insurance Required for Leased Cars?

If you lease a car, non-owner insurance does not cover your leased vehicle in Georgia. Leased and financed vehicles must be titled, registered, and insured in the name of the lessee/primary driver.

So you need to purchase a standard car insurance policy to satisfy the lease agreement and protect the vehicle. Non-owner coverage excludes cars that are leased, rented, or owned by you.

However, non-owner insurance can still be valuable in addition to your regular policy. It provides protection when driving other vehicles besides your leased car.

Can Non-Owners Buy Temporary Car Insurance in Georgia?

You cannot purchase non-owner insurance for just a few days or weeks in Georgia. Policies run for 6-month or 1-year terms only.

But if you need temporary coverage for a borrowed car, you do have a couple options:

• Short-term car rental insurance – Car rental agencies sell liability policies to cover rentals that only last a week or less.

• Pay-per-mile insurance – Metromile offers pay-per-use insurance with no base premium, so you only pay for the exact mileage driven. However, policies must still be maintained for a minimum period.

There are no true short-term non-owner policies sold in Georgia. The benefits of maintaining long-term insurance make it worthwhile anyway for frequent drivers not owning