What is a named operator policy?

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

UPDATED: Nov 12, 2024

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Key Takeaways

  • Two kinds of named operator car insurance policies are named driver and non-owner
  • Most auto insurance companies will not offer named operator policies
  • A named operator policy costs less than a standard car insurance policy, but unnamed drivers who use your vehicle assume a significant risk

What is a named operator policy, and how does it differ from a standard auto insurance policy? In addition, can a named operator insurance policy include more than one driver? Named operator car insurance is a specialized type of auto insurance that only covers named drivers. And there are generally two types of this insurance.

There are a few reasons for you to purchase an operator insurance policy. For example, this type of policy is beneficial if you do not own a car. Also, you may only want to insure people whom you know will use your vehicle.

Should you purchase an operator insurance policy? It depends on your situation. Read on if you would like to know more about named operator car insurance, including what and who it covers.

What does a named operator car insurance policy cover?

It depends on who you want to insure because you have two options for private operator insurance.

Named Operator Policy

If you want to cover the people listed on a policy and no one else, a named driver policy might be best for you. Whereas a standard policy may temporarily cover unlisted drivers who borrow a policyholder’s car under permissive use, named driver auto insurance only applies to all persons named on a policy.

For example, you can add GAP insurance or rental car reimbursement coverage to a named driver policy as you would with a standard one. But if an unnamed driver uses your vehicle and gets into an accident, your policy will not cover that driver or any damage to your car.

Non-Owner Policy

Alternatively, you can purchase a non-owner car insurance policy. Non-owner car insurance is an operator’s insurance policy because it only applies to you, but it has more limitations.

If you can purchase non-owner auto insurance, you will only have two types of liability car insurance — one for bodily injury and one for property damage. In most states, you only need to meet a minimum requirement for liability insurance, but your named operator policy can include different types of coverage.

Depending on your state and insurance company, your named operator policy might include the following coverages:

  • Uninsured motorist protection (UM). This coverage acts like an at-fault driver’s liability coverage if you get into an accident.
  • Underinsured motorist protection (UIM). This fills the gaps when the other driver has low liability limits compared to the damage you suffer.
  • Medical payments coverage (MedPay). This protection helps pay your, any family members’, and your passengers’ medical expenses in the event of a car accident.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP). This coverage acts much like MedPay, but it might cover more, like lost wages and death benefits.

Remember that a non-owner policy does not include collision or comprehensive car insurance. Such a limited policy only follows the driver, not the car.

Which companies offer named operator insurance?

And how much does this type of policy cost?

Most car insurance companies will not offer named operator policies, and the companies that sell this type of insurance do not openly advertise it. Here are some companies that may sell nonstandard insurance:

Named Operator Policy Car Insurance Rates
CompanyNamed Driver PolicyNon-Owner Policy
21st Century$1,290.36$524.79
Acceptance$1,340.16$545.05
Bristol West$2,790.69$1,134.98
Dairyland$1,476.08$600.33
Direct Auto Insurance$1,902.65$773.81
Freeway Insurance$1,449.77$589.62
GAINSCO$1,352.67$550.13
GEICO$1,173.80$477.39
Hallmark$2,337.81$950.79
Infinity$2,011.60$818.12
Kemper$2,654.99$1,079.79
Mercury$1,084.64$441.12
National General$2,929.77$1191.54
Nationwide$1,718.67$698.993
Progressive$1,599.93$650.70
Safe Auto$1,755.21$713.85
The General$2,538.97$1,032.60
Titan$2,006.17$815.91
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Also, when selecting a company that offers a named operator policy, ensure that you meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements.

Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements

These are the state requirements for liability car insurance:

Minimum Liability Car Insurance Requirements by State
StatesMinimum Liability Limit Requirements
Alabama25/50/25
Alaska50/100/25
Arizona15/30/10
Arkansas25/50/25
California15/30/5
Colorado25/50/15
Connecticut25/50/20
Delaware25/50/10
District of Columbia25/50/10
Florida10/20/10
Georgia25/50/25
Hawaii20/40/10
Idaho25/50/15
Illinois25/50/20
Indiana25/50/25
Iowa20/40/15
Kansas25/50/25
Kentucky25/50/25
Louisiana15/30/25
Maine50/100/25
Maryland30/60/15
Massachusetts20/40/5
Michigan20/40/10
Minnesota30/60/10
Mississippi25/50/25
Missouri25/50/25
Montana25/50/20
Nebraska25/50/25
Nevada25/50/20
New Hampshire25/50/25
New Jersey15/30/5
New Mexico25/50/10
New York25/50/10
North Carolina30/60/25
North Dakota25/50/25
Ohio25/50/25
Oklahoma25/50/25
Oregon25/50/25
Pennsylvania15/30/5
Rhode Island25/50/25
South Carolina25/50/25
South Dakota25/50/25
Tennessee25/50/15
Texas30/60/25
Utah25/65/15
Vermont25/50/10
Virginia25/50/20
Washington25/50/10
West Virginia25/50/25
Wisconsin25/50/10
Wyoming25/50/20
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If your state requires uninsured motorist coverage, that insurance has the same limits as your liability auto insurance.

Minimum PIP Requirements

Below, you will find minimum requirements for states that allow personal injury protection:

Personal Injury Protection Car Insurance Coverage Requirements Per State
StateIs PIP Required?Minimum PIP Requirements
ArkansasNoN/A
DelawareYes$15,000 per person; $30,000 per accident; $5,000 for funeral expenses
District of ColumbiaNoN/A
FloridaYes$10,000 per person
HawaiiYes$10,000 per person
KansasYes$4,500 for medical costs, per person; $4,500 for rehabilitation costs; $2,000 for funeral costs; $900/month for one year for lost wages and disability; $25 per day for in-home services
KentuckyYes$10,000 per person
MarylandYes$2,500 per person
MassachusettsYes$8,000 per person
MichiganYesVaries
MinnesotaYes$20,000 for medical expenses; $20,000 to cover lost wages
New HampshireNo$1,000
New JerseyYes$15,000 per person; Up to $250,000 in disability (for severe or permanent injury)
New YorkYes$50,000 per person
North DakotaYes$30,000 per person
OregonYes$15,000 per person
PennsylvaniaYes$5,000 per person
Puerto RicoYesMedical payments, payments for injury or death
South DakotaNoN/A
TexasYes$2,500 per person
UtahYes$3,000 per person; $1,500 for funeral expenses, per person; $3,000 for survivor benefits; $250 per week or 85% of lost wages (whichever is less); 20$ per day for replacement services
VirginiaNoN/A
WashingtonNo$10,000 per person
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Read more about personal injury protection before purchasing this coverage.

Is a named operator car insurance policy right for you?

As you can see, there are limitations with a named operator policy. While you might save money with either type, this insurance only protects the named drivers on a policy.

A named driver policy can list multiple drivers and costs less than a standard policy. On the other hand, an unnamed driver who uses your car is at risk.

For example, if you have a medical emergency, an unnamed driver who takes you to a hospital will not have coverage, even if it’s permissive use. Also, your auto insurance company will not pay any claims if your car incurs damage in a related crash.

A non-owner insurance policy only covers one driver, but it does not pay for damages to any vehicle you drive. On the other hand, it may be your only option if you do not own a car but often need to borrow and rent vehicles.

If you must buy a named operator policy, it may be challenging for you to find a company that offers them in your state and to compare rates. You may need to locate smaller, local companies that sell named operator policies or speak with an agent to acquire a policy that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a named operator policy?

A named operator policy is a specialized type of auto insurance that only covers named drivers. It is designed for individuals who do not own a car or who only want to insure specific individuals who will use their vehicle.

How does a named operator policy differ from a standard auto insurance policy?

A named operator policy differs from a standard auto insurance policy in that it only covers the individuals named on the policy. It does not provide coverage for unnamed drivers who may borrow the insured vehicle. A standard policy may provide temporary coverage for unlisted drivers under permissive use.

Can a named operator insurance policy include more than one driver?

Yes, a named operator policy can include multiple drivers who are specifically named on the policy. However, it does not cover any drivers who are not listed.

What does a named operator car insurance policy cover?

The coverage provided by a named operator policy depends on the type of policy chosen. There are two options:

  • Named Operator Policy: This policy covers only the individuals named on the policy. It may include additional coverage options like GAP insurance or rental car reimbursement, similar to a standard policy. However, it does not cover unnamed drivers who use the insured vehicle.
  • Non-Owner Policy: This policy is for individuals who do not own a car. It provides liability coverage for the named operator but does not include collision or comprehensive coverage. It typically includes minimum liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage.

Which companies offer named operator insurance?

Most car insurance companies do not offer named operator policies, and those that do may not openly advertise them. Smaller, local companies or specialized insurers that offer nonstandard insurance may be more likely to provide named operator policies.

How much does a named operator policy cost?

The cost of a named operator policy can vary depending on factors such as the coverage limits, the drivers listed on the policy, and the insurance company. It is recommended to obtain quotes from different insurers to compare prices and find the most affordable option.

Is a named operator car insurance policy right for you?

The suitability of a named operator policy depends on individual circumstances. It may be a cost-effective option if you want to cover specific drivers and save money compared to a standard policy. However, it has limitations, such as not providing coverage for unnamed drivers or damages to the insured vehicle. If you do not own a car but frequently borrow or rent vehicles, a non-owner policy may be a more suitable option.

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