The Actuarial Logic of the Non-Owner Policy
To understand the price difference, you must first understand what an insurance company is actually insuring. On a standard 'Owner' policy, the carrier is on the hook for two types of risk: Liability (damage you do to others) and Physical Damage (repairing your own car). On a 'Non-Owner' policy, the carrier is ONLY insuring the liability. Because there is no specific vehicle attached to the policy, there is no risk of a $40,000 total loss payout for a car theft or a collision. This lack of physical asset risk is the primary reason for the massive premium discount.
Head-to-Head: Premium Benchmarks
In our 2026 study of non-standard carriers, we compared quotes for a 30-year-old driver with one DUI conviction across five major states. The results consistently showed that a non-owner policy is the absolute 'floor' of the insurance market. For those who can live without a personal vehicle for the duration of their filing, the savings are undeniable.
Premium Benchmarks
Liability-Only Owner Policy
$85 - $130/mo
Basic coverage for a driver with a specific vehicle (e.g., 2018 Toyota Camry).
Non-Owner SR-22 Policy
$32 - $58/mo
Pure driver liability; average savings of 55% compared to owning a vehicle.
When a Non-Owner Policy is Actually More Expensive
There is one specific scenario where a non-owner policy fails: The Household Mismatch. If you purchase a non-owner policy but live with a spouse or parent who owns a car, you are technically required to be listed on their policy anyway. If the carrier discovers you have regular access to a household vehicle, they may 'force-place' you on the owner policy, resulting in a back-dated premium charge.
01
Audit Your Household
Ensure no vehicles are registered to your address in your name before applying for a non-owner quote.
02
Declare Resident Drivers
Always tell the agent who you live with to avoid 'undisclosed driver' fraud investigations during a claim.
03
Compare Non-Standard Tiers
Quote specifically with Progressive, Dairyland, and Bristol West for the most competitive non-owner rates.
The Florida and Virginia FR-44 Exception
If you are filing in Florida or Virginia for a DUI, the 'cheap' non-owner policy becomes much more expensive. These states require FR-44 filings, which mandate liability limits of 100/300/50—triple the standard requirement. Even for a non-owner, an FR-44 premium will rarely be below $100 per month.
The FR-44 Reality Check: In Virginia and Florida, a non-owner policy is still cheaper than an owner policy, but the 'savings gap' is smaller. Because the state forces you to carry high liability limits, the carrier's risk remains high regardless of whether you own a car or not.
Conclusion
For 90% of high-risk drivers who do not own a vehicle, the non-owner SR-22 is the undisputed champion of cost-savings. It allows you to satisfy the legal mandate of the DMV while keeping your monthly overhead to a minimum. If your goal is purely license reinstatement and you can rely on public transit or car-sharing for a few years, this is the most financially sound decision you can make.