Non-Owner Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Just like any other state, Wisconsin’s roads are busy year-round, and driving uninsured can be steep with up to $500 in fines and potential license suspension. For thousands of citizens living in Wisconsin without owning a car, non-owner car insurance in Wisconsin is a smart way to stay protected and meet state insurance requirements.

Non-owner car insurance in Wisconsin is a special type of liability policy for drivers who don’t own a vehicle. This coverage is designed for residents who occasionally borrow or rent vehicles, rely on rentals or car sharing services to get from one place to another.

What Coverages Are Included, and What Are Not

Think of non-owner car insurance, which covers you as a driver. Let’s assume that you’re driving in Madison and borrow a friend’s Sedan. If you cause an accident while driving a borrowed or rented car, your non owner policy helps pay for injuries to others and damages to their property. That said, they’re not a blanket safety net. Non-owner insurance won’t pay for the damage to the car you’re driving, whether rented or borrowed. Non owner coverage is limited liability only, meaning it only covers the damages done to others’ vehicles.

Does Wisconsin Allow Non-Owners Policies?

Yes. Drivers can purchase non owner car insurance in Wisconsin. If you occasionally drive rentals or borrow cars, you can meet the state’s liability requirements and stay legally covered. If necessary, you can also attach an SR-22, which you can attach to your non-owner policy.

Wisconsin’s Minimum Liability Coverage Requirements

A Wisconsin non-owner car insurance policyholder must meet the state’s minimum liability requirements, which include $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. You must also carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as a means to protect yourself in case you’re hit by an underinsured driver.

Cost of a Non-owner Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Average Cost

Non-owner car insurance in Wisconsin is relatively cheaper than a standard auto policy. The reason is simple: the non owner policy does not insure a specific vehicle but instead, provides liability coverage. A non-owner policy can range between $230 per year, and a minimum coverage owner policy for those who own a vehicle can cost around $400 a year. Based on the insurance provider, one can secure lower insurance premiums for eligible drivers.

Filing an SR-22 Requirements

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility filed with the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by your insurance company. Drivers are required to file an SR-22 after certain violations, such as driving without insurance, multiple traffic violations, DUI/OWI convictions, or license suspension.

In terms of the non-owner car insurance in Wisconsin, the cost of the coverage increases if you’re required to file an SR-22. The cost of filing an SR 22 form in Wisconsin can range from $15 to $50, so the total cost of the policy can range $365-$563 per year, depending on the driving record and the insurer. Even for drivers reinstating their license without owning a car, a non-owner SR-22 policy is the most cost-effective way to meet the requirements.

Factors That Influence Policy Rates

Factors such as age, driving history, coverage limit, credit score, and location can highly influence your rate. Young, inexperienced drivers usually pay more, while middle-aged drivers with more experience enjoy lower premiums and discounts. If you live in a busy location like Milwaukee or Madison, you can be subject to a higher premium than if you live in smaller towns and cities. Even so, based on the coverage limit, your policy, which offers you greater protection, can also cost you more.

Why is a Non-Owner Car Insurance More Affordable

A non-owner car insurance in Wisconsin is cheaper because, unlike a regular policy, it only provides liability coverage, which pays for the injuries and property damage you cause to others. It does not include collision or comprehensive protection, so the insurer isn’t responsible for repairing, replacing the car you’re driving in case it gets damaged, stolen, or vandalized. Additionally, most non owner policies exclude coverage for your own medical bills unless the specific add-ons are separately purchased. Since this policy covers fewer risks, insurers view them as lower risk and hence lead to affordable premiums.

When & Who Should Get It

Not everyone in Wisconsin needs non owner car insurance. The suitability highly depends on your situation.

Occasional Drivers

If you don’t own a car and occasionally rent or borrow vehicles, a non owner policy gives you liability coverage every time you’re driving. For example, if you rent cars for business trips or borrow your friend’s vehicle, this coverage keeps you insured.

Drivers Requiring an SR-22

One of the most common reasons people in Wisconsin purchase non owner insurance is because it satisfies the SR-22 filing after a license suspension, plus it costs less.

Since the state asks you to file an SR-22 certificate for several years, usually three and an SR-22 policy allows you to keep your license valid without paying for a full auto policy. This is the cheapest way to meet the requirements because it only covers liability when you borrow or rent cars, not a specific vehicle.

Individuals Buying A Car Soon

If you sold your vehicle and plan to buy another one, non-owner insurance can help you cover gaps in insurance history. The non-owner insurance is a smart way to maintain continuous coverage by carrying a non owner policy in the meantime to keep your record active.

Car-Free Residents

If you live in a walkable neighborhood in Madison with good connectivity to public transit, a non-owner policy provides you an affordable liability protection for the occasional time you drive or borrow a vehicle, without the expense of insuring a vehicle you don’t own.

Who Should Skip It

For example, a driver relying on multiple ways to get to a certain place, like ridesharing, taxis, or public transportation, may not need non-owner coverage. Likewise, if you drive a car owned by someone in your household, most insurers won’t allow a non owner policy, as then you will have to be listed as a secondary or occasional driver on that vehicle’s policy.

Pros & Cons / Limitations

Like any other insurance, non-owner car insurance in Wisconsin comes with its advantages and drawbacks. Understanding them can give you a detailed view of whether this coverage fits your situation. Mentioned below are the pros and cons of a non owner insurance policy.

Pros

• Cost-effective: When compared with traditional auto insurance policy, non owner policies are usually cheaper since they provide liability-only coverage and don’t insure a specific car.
• Legally compliant: If you occasionally borrow or rent cars or need to file an SR-22. Non-owner insurance helps you meet Wisconsin’s minimum liability coverage requirements.
• Maintains continuous coverage: If you’ve just sold your car and are looking to buy another one soon, a non-owner policy can help you prevent gaps in your insurance history.
• Flexible protection: The policy follows you as a driver, which means it’s not tied to the vehicle but to you driving any vehicle, either borrowed or rented.

Cons / Limitations

• No coverage for the car you’re driving: If you damage the vehicle in a road accident, your non-owner policy won’t pay for the repairs, and this responsibility falls to the vehicle owner’s insurance.
• Limited personal protection: Most non-owner policies exclude your own medical bills, unless you purchase optional add-ons like medical payments or personal injury protection.
• No collision or comprehensive: Your vehicle damaged by vandalism, theft, weather damage, or accidents involving the car you’re driving aren’t covered.
• Not readily available: Not many insurers in Wisconsin offer non-owner coverage, meaning your options may be more limited. You might have to select the large and regional insurers.

Who Qualifies for Non-Owner Car Insurance in Wisconsin?

You need to meet certain conditions to qualify for non-owner car insurance coverage in Wisconsin. First, you must not legally own a vehicle, as the policy is designed for people who occasionally drive cars owned by others. With your driver’s license details and driving record, you can get quotes from insurers that you can compare. The cost of a higher or lower premium highly depends on your driving history, driving violations (if any), or the requirement to file SR-22. The non-owner car insurance policy is not appropriate for you if you own a car or regularly drive a car owned by someone.

How to Buy Non-Owner Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Purchasing the non owner car insurance is usually straightforward if you know and have studied the limits and add-ons. Mentioned below are the steps to obtain non-owner car insurance in Wisconsin.

1. Assess Your Needs

Start by studying why you need your non-owner car insurance. Are you looking for liability protection when renting cars, or do you need an SR-22 filing to reinstate your license? The insurer will give you different rates based on your reason for getting the coverage. Knowing the purpose can help select the right coverage limits.

2. Compare Insurance Quotes

Not all insurers in Wisconsin provide non-owner policies. You might need to set up a 1-1 meeting or call insurers directly, as relying on online quotes might not always be correct. You can also find local agents in Milwaukee or Green Bay to assist you.

3. Ask About SR-22 If Required

If your license is suspended, and if you need your insurer to file the SR-22 certificate, you need to confirm if the insurer can handle this request with a non-owner car insurance policy. The insurance company can electronically file the SR-22 certificate with the Wisconsin DMV on your behalf once you purchase the policy.

4. Decide on Coverage Limits

You can stick to Wisconsin’s minimum liability requirements, or you can choose higher limits for added protection to protect yourself.

5. Complete the Application

After you have selected the right provider and coverage limits, complete the application by providing your driver’s license information, address, and driving history. If you had any past violations, the insurers might ask you questions about them. If SR-22 is required, the insurer or your specific insurance agent will file it with the state at the right time.

6. Maintain Continuous Coverage

Keeping your policy active is the best policy. If you end up buying a car in the near future, you can switch from a non-owner car insurance to a standard auto policy. If you need an SR-22, any interruption or lapse in the coverage could mean losing your license all over again.

While low premiums are a smart way to save up some money, having an SR-22 filing support is equally important. Look for the best options, compare them to see if an insurer can handle your SR-22 requirements smoothly.

Ways to Lower Your Non-Owner Rate

Maintaining a clear driving record is one of the many ways to keep your premiums even lower in Wisconsin. Traffic and driving violations, as well as accidents, can quickly raise your insurance costs. You can also choose to have minimum liability limits according to the state rather than higher coverage limits to keep your premiums down. Continuous coverage can also help you qualify for better rates, since there are no questionable gaps in your insurance history.

Comparison: Non-Owner vs Traditional Auto Insurance Policy

Both insurance policies provide liability coverage, but they serve different purposes. The easiest way to understand their difference is to study what they’re designed for and what they cover, as mentioned below.

Coverage Scope

Traditional Wisconsin auto insurance is tied to the car you own. It can include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage to protect both you and your vehicle. Non-owner car insurance is a liability-only coverage that follows you as a driver, not a specific vehicle. It pays for injuries and property damage to others if you cause an accident while driving a car you don’t own, but it won’t cover the damage to your own injuries unless optional add-ons are included.

Cost

Non owner auto insurance is much cheaper than traditional auto policies. In Wisconsin, a standard liability-only auto policy for vehicle owners averages around $400–$500 per year, while non-owner policies often range from $230–$365 annually for drivers with clean records. This makes non-owner insurance cost-effective for those who don’t own a car and occasionally drive.

Who It’s For

Traditional auto policy is for anyone who owns and drives a car; however, non owner auto insurance is for people who occasionally drive a borrowed or rented car and want to maintain continuous coverage between vehicles or need to file an SR-22 without owning a car.

Average Cost by Age / Examples In the State

Like most types of car insurance rates, non-owner insurance in Wisconsin depends on your age. Insurers see young drivers as a high risk due to limited driving experience, and older drivers with clean records usually enjoy the lowest premiums with discounts. However, the price of the premium can easily go up in case the individual, whether in any age group, has violations or requires an SR-22.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I need non-owner insurance in Wisconsin if I don’t own a car?

Not always. If you never drive, borrow, or rent a car, you might not need non-owner insurance. But if you’re required by the court to file SR-22 or you drive a borrowed/rented car, getting non-owner insurance might be the cheapest way to maintain your coverage.

What is an SR-22, and how does it relate to non-owner insurance?

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility required by the state to prove you carry at least the minimum liability insurance. You typically need an SR-22 after serious driving infractions, such as driving under the influence (DUI/OWI), reckless driving, and traffic violations, etc, within a short period of time. If you don’t own a car, the non owner insurance is the best way to file for the certificate and satisfy the legal minimum requirements.

Can I drive a friend’s car and be covered by non-owner insurance?

Yes, if the policy covers you driving non-owned vehicles. If you use the car more frequently than occasionally or if the car is owned by someone in your household, some restrictions may apply. Non-owner insurance is secondary, your friend’s policy pays first if you cause an accident.

Will non-owner insurance cover damage to the car I borrow?

No. In general, non owner insurance does not cover damages to the vehicle you borrow. If you want that as an add-on, you might need to add collision/comprehensive coverage through the rental company’s insurance.

Can my premium go up if I get tickets or accidents while I have a non-owner policy?

Yes. Driving records, credit score, claims history, and SR 22 filing can all affect your insurance cost. A poor driving record will raise your premium.

Can I insure a car not in my name in Wisconsin?

No. In most cases, you can’t insure a car that isn’t legally registered in your name. However, if you regularly use a vehicle owned by someone else, you might need to be listed as a driver in their policy. If you drive a borrowed or rented vehicle, a non owner car insurance policy is the best and affordable solution in Wisconsin.

What is the process to obtain non-owner insurance in Wisconsin?

Decide the coverage (liability limits, add-ons, whether SR-22 is needed).

Gather necessary personal info such as driver’s license, driving record, address, etc.

Contact insurers, get quotes

Submit an application and pay the first premium.

If needed, have SR-22 filed. Keep proof of insurance with you.

How do I know what liability limits I need?

Firstly, you should know you meet Wisconsin’s state minimums. After that, you can choose to exceed the limits for greater protection, especially if you have assets to protect. Higher limits cost more, but in serious accidents, they can save a lot.

Get a Free Non-Owner Insurance Quote in Wisconsin Today

Whether you live in Wisconsin without owning a car or you’re just here to drive temporarily, being legally insured is the right thing to do. With non-owner coverage, you can drive borrowed or rented vehicles by meeting Wisconsin’s liability requirements, and even file an SR-22 if the state requires you to do so.

Insurance Navy makes it simple and affordable. Our licensed Wisconsin insurance agents are ready to help you find the lowest non-owner rates and walk you through your options. Contact us today by call, text, or online form to request a free non-owner car insurance quote.