How Is The General’s Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Last Updated on February 5, 2026
Yes—The General offers non-owner car insurance in many states for drivers who need liability coverage but don’t own a vehicle. It’s designed to help you meet legal insurance requirements when you occasionally drive cars you don’t own—such as a friend’s car or a rental.
Non-owner car insurance is typically liability-focused coverage. It does not insure the vehicle you’re driving for physical damage (so it won’t pay to fix the borrowed or rented car), and it’s not meant for drivers who have regular access to a household vehicle.
Below is how The General’s non-owner coverage works, who it’s best for, what it covers, and what it doesn’t.
- Non-Owner Coverage Is Liability-Focused: The General’s non-owner insurance is primarily designed to cover injuries and property damage you cause while driving a car you don’t own.
- It’s Often Secondary to the Car Owner’s Policy: When you borrow someone else’s insured vehicle, the owner’s policy typically responds first, and your non-owner policy may help if limits are exceeded.
- Not the Same as Full Coverage: Non-owner policies usually exclude collision and comprehensive, so they won’t pay to fix the borrowed or rented car after damage.
- Best for Occasional Drivers and DMV Filings: It can be a good fit for rentals, borrowing cars occasionally, maintaining continuous coverage, or meeting SR-22/FR-44 requirements without owning a vehicle.
- How Does The General’s Non-Owner Car Insurance Work?
- Who Should Buy Non-Owner Car Insurance?
- Does The General Offer Good Non-Owner Car Insurance?
- What Does The General’s Non-Owner Car Insurance Cover?
- What Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Not Cover?
- Final Word on The General's Non-Owner Car Insurance
- FAQs on The General Non-Owner Car Insurance
How Does The General’s Non-Owner Car Insurance Work?
The General’s non-owner policy is built for drivers who do not own a vehicle but still need insurance to drive legally. In most cases, it’s structured to provide minimum coverage required in your state (and you can often choose higher limits for better protection).
A key point: non-owner insurance generally follows the driver, not a specific car. It is commonly considered secondary liability coverage when you’re driving someone else’s insured vehicle—meaning the vehicle owner’s policy typically responds first, and your non-owner policy may help if the damages exceed the owner’s limits (subject to your policy terms).
| What Non-Owner Insurance Does | What Non-Owner Insurance Doesn’t Do |
|---|---|
| Covers your liability when you cause an accident while driving a vehicle you don’t own | Does not “follow” a specific car (no vehicle listed on the policy) |
| Can provide proof of insurance when you need to stay continuously insured | Does not cover the borrowed/rented car for collision or comprehensive damage |
| May be used for certain DMV filing requirements (like SR-22/FR-44) when you don’t own a car | Is not intended for drivers with regular access to a household vehicle |
Some drivers can add certain optional coverages and add-ons where available, but non-owner insurance remains fundamentally different from “full coverage” because it doesn’t insure a specific car.
Who Should Buy Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner insurance is a good fit when you don’t own a car and you drive occasionally (or need proof of insurance for DMV purposes). It’s usually not the right solution if you drive the same vehicle regularly or live with someone who owns a car you can access.
| Situation | Is Non-Owner Insurance a Good Fit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You rent cars regularly | Often yes (for liability) | It can cover liability when renting, which may reduce reliance on rental car agency insurance. It still won’t cover damage to the rental vehicle itself. |
| You’re between cars and want to avoid a lapse | Yes | Maintaining continuous coverage can help avoid higher pricing later from gaps in coverage. |
| You need proof of insurance to reinstate your license | Often yes | Some drivers need insurance proof even without a car—especially after a suspension or certain violations. |
| You must file an SR-22 or FR-44 but don’t own a car | Often yes | Non-owner policies are commonly used for SR-22 filings, and can apply in FR-44 states depending on the requirement (FR-44 policy). |
| You occasionally borrow different friends’ or relatives’ cars | Sometimes | It can help if you borrow a friend’s car with permission and don’t have regular access to one specific vehicle. |
| You plan to drive for rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Usually no | Rideshare often has special insurance requirements and exclusions. If you’re considering this, review: Uber and Lyft coverage. |
Quick tip: If you live with someone who owns a car you regularly drive, most insurers require you to be listed on that household policy (or to buy your own standard policy). Non-owner coverage is usually intended for drivers who don’t have regular access to a household vehicle.
If you’re primarily shopping because you need an SR-22 with a non-owner policy, this overview may help: non-owner SR-22 insurance explained. You can also compare how The General handles SR-22 filings here: The General SR-22 insurance review.
Does The General Offer Good Non-Owner Car Insurance?
The General is best known for insuring drivers who may have trouble getting affordable coverage through standard carriers (such as drivers with violations, accidents, or a need for state filings). Because of that, pricing can be higher than some mainstream insurers—but for higher-risk profiles, The General may be competitive compared to other options available to you.
If you’re comparing quotes, it helps to check The General alongside at least one large carrier that offers non-owner policies, such as GEICO or Progressive. Non-owner rates can vary significantly by state, driving history, and the limits you choose. For more background on what influences pricing with this insurer, see: The General’s rates.
What Does The General’s Non-Owner Car Insurance Cover?
The General’s non-owner policy is designed to meet state requirements and protect you from liability while driving vehicles you don’t own. Coverage varies by state, but non-owner policies commonly include:
| Coverage Type | What It Helps Pay For | When It Matters Most |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | Other people’s injuries when you’re at fault | Any accident with medical bills, lost wages, or legal claims |
| Property Damage Liability | Damage you cause to other vehicles or property | Collisions that damage another car, fence, building, or other property |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (where available/required) | Protection if you’re hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance | Hit-and-run scenarios and underinsured drivers can create major out-of-pocket risk |
| Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (in some states) | Certain medical costs for you/your passengers (depending on state rules) | States that require or commonly include no-fault-style medical coverage |
Even when a non-owner policy is active, the vehicle owner’s insurance is often the primary coverage when you drive a borrowed car with permission. Non-owner insurance is typically structured to fill gaps and protect you from liability if the owner’s limits aren’t enough.
What Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Not Cover?
Non-owner insurance is not “full coverage.” It generally does not cover physical damage to the car you’re driving because the policy is not tied to a specific vehicle.
Most non-owner policies from The General and other insurers do not include:
- Collision coverage (damage to the vehicle you’re driving after a crash)
- Comprehensive coverage (theft, vandalism, weather damage, and other non-collision damage to the vehicle you’re driving)
- Coverage for a vehicle you own, lease, or have regular access to (especially a household vehicle)
- Business use or delivery/ride-hailing in many cases (always confirm exclusions in writing)
- Routine maintenance, wear and tear, or mechanical breakdowns of the vehicle
Final Word on The General’s Non-Owner Car Insurance
The General’s non-owner car insurance can be a practical way to carry liability coverage when you don’t own a vehicle—especially if you need proof of insurance for reinstatement or a state filing like an SR-22 or FR-44. Like most non-owner policies, it’s primarily liability coverage and won’t pay to repair the car you’re driving.
To decide if it’s the right fit, confirm you’re eligible (no regular access to a household vehicle), choose liability limits that match your risk, and compare quotes with other carriers that offer non-owner policies.
