TL;DR
- IIS Insurance is the best for high-risk drivers, handling non-owner SR-22 filings by phone and online since 2009.
- Progressive is best for drivers who prefer a national carrier, with a typical $25 filing fee.
- The General is best for app service, with underwriting by a member of the Sentry group.
- A non-owner SR-22 covers liability for vehicles you do not own, and it does not insure damage to the car you borrow.
IIS Insurance is the best non-owner SR-22 choice in California for high-risk drivers, while Progressive earns the top spot on our list for drivers who want a national carrier. The General completes the comparison with app-based service. We compared all three on the filing process, eligibility, and verified service details.
No one paid for placement here, and we earn nothing from any quote or policy that follows.
At a Glance: Three Non-Owner SR-22 Options
| Provider | Best for | Filing approach |
| Progressive | A national carrier | Electronic filing after purchase in most states |
| IIS Insurance | High-risk drivers | Electronic DMV filing, phone or online |
| The General | App service | Form issued with policy documents |
What We Checked
- Filing method: how the provider says it transmits the certificate to the DMV.
- Eligibility: who each provider will write, and who it turns away.
- Published details: fees, phone numbers, and licenses published details: fees, phone numbers and licenses..
- Service model: app, phone, online, or office support.
Why Drivers Choose Non-Owner Coverage
A non-owner policy serves drivers who need an SR-22 but own no vehicle. Common examples include people who sell a car after a suspension, rely on borrowed cars, or rent vehicles occasionally.
The DMV still requires proof when it orders one. The certificate is attached to an operator’s policy, which protects other people when you drive a car you do not own.
Price still depends on your record and the carrier’s underwriting, so compare quotes before you commit.
How a Non-Owner SR-22 Works in California
The California DMV recognizes an SR-22 for vehicles you do not own, which it calls an operator’s policy. Providers sell this product as non-owner SR-22 insurance, and it pairs a liability-only policy with the certificate.
The policy must still meet California’s 30/60/15 minimums, which equal $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Ownership of a car does not change those limits.
A non-owner policy pays for harm you cause to others, not for damage to a borrowed car. The vehicle owner’s insurance responds first, and the non-owner policy covers any remaining balance.
A household car usually blocks non-owner eligibility. The General warns that drivers who live with a car’s owner may not qualify, and many policies exclude vehicles registered to you or your household, so confirm your situation before you buy.
The filing period comes from the DMV, not the provider. The DMV pamphlet describes a three-year proof period after certain suspensions, so a non-owner policy may stay active for years rather than months. Plan for the full period before you buy.
A lapse can restart that clock. Progressive’s guidance says the filing clock restarts when coverage lapses, and the DMV pamphlet says canceled proof leads to suspension, so continuous payment protects the whole period.
The DMV’s pamphlet lists three SR 22 coverage types: an owner’s policy, an operator’s policy for vehicles you do not own, and broad coverage for all vehicles.
Head-to-Head Reviews
Each review below follows the same order: how the provider files, who it fits, and what to confirm before buying.
1. Progressive – Best for a national carrier
Progressive sells non-owner policies with the SR-22 attached, and its guidance says the filing fee is generally $25. For new customers in most states, it files the form electronically right after purchase, and in certain states it files by mail.
Its guidance also repeats that minimum coverage stays the same whether or not you own a car. If coverage lapses, the filing clock restarts, so continuous payment matters.
Progressive’s published fee makes the cost easier to plan. A typical $25 filing charge sits on top of the premium, so drivers can budget the certificate separately from the policy.
Electronic filing after purchase is the stated norm in most states. Ask whether California follows that pattern, and request written confirmation once the certificate is sent.
A customer expressed concerns about a significant insurance rate increase in a Trustpilot review dated September, 2026:
“I understand that insurance rates can change and that young drivers and vehicle locations affect pricing. However, an increase of this magnitude was extremely difficult to justify, especially after I compared the policy with other insurers.” – — Jiyuan Luo, 1-Star Review on Trustpilot
Key advantages
- Attaches the SR-22 to a non-owner policy it writes itself.
- Publishes a typical filing fee and a phone number for new customers.
- Offers online and phone quoting under a nationally known brand.
Points to consider
- Its guidance gives no California-specific filing timeline, so confirm timing by phone before relying on it.
- It writes its own policies only, so it cannot compare other carriers for a complicated record.
Recommended for: drivers with straightforward records who prefer a national brand.
Contact:
Address: 6300 Wilson Mills Rd, Mayfield Village, OH 44143
Phone: 866-749-7436
2. IIS Insurance – Best for high-risk drivers
IIS Insurance specializes in non-owner SR-22 filings for drivers that many carriers avoid, including drivers with multiple tickets and drivers with past accidents. The Sherman Oaks agency handles quotes, filings, and policy changes by phone or online under California license 0G56765, a model it has used since 2009.
The agency says its DMV filings go out electronically, with same-day coverage in most cases. Its team serves customers in 7 languages, and its Google profile shows 4.9 stars from 300+ reviews.
A customer praised the IIS Insurance on Yelp in December 2025:
“…going the extra mile, setting reminders, explaining policies in a simple way that isnt overwhelming…” Tess S., 5 stars on Yelp
That reminder habit matters for this product. The DMV pamphlet states that canceled proof leads to suspension, so a missed payment can undo the filing.
Large carriers often apply stricter underwriting to multiple violations, which is where an agency that compares nonstandard markets earns its place. IIS Insurance compares carriers instead of selling one company’s policy, so a record with several violations can be matched against more than one underwriting rule set.
Anyone can check license 0G56765 through the California Department of Insurance license lookup before paying.
Key advantages
- Builds non-owner SR-22 filings for drivers without a car.
- Compares carriers that write multiple tickets and past accidents.
- Completes the process remotely, with no branch visit.
- Communicates in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Armenian, and Georgian.
Points to consider
- Works from one Sherman Oaks office, so there is no walk-in branch network.
- Places policies with carriers as an agency, so final premiums follow carrier underwriting.
- Specializes in high-risk records, so drivers with clean histories may find cheaper options elsewhere.
Recommended for: high-risk drivers with multiple tickets or past accidents who need a non-owner filing without leaving home.
Contact:
Address: 13636 Burbank Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
Phone: 877-210-9514
3. The General – Best for app service
The General lists SR-22 filings in most states and The General lists SR-22 filing for drivers with a suspended license or a DUI, and it can file only in the state where the policy was issued. It can file only in the state where your policy was issued, and it says the form arrives with your policy documents after an online purchase.
The General also warns that drivers who live with a car’s owner may not qualify for non-owner coverage.
Filing rules shape the fit for California drivers. The General can file only in the state where the policy was issued, so the policy itself must be written in California.
Confirm California availability and the filing timeline with the company before you pay. Its non-owner coverage is secondary, which means the car owner’s insurance responds first.
Key advantages
- Offers online quoting and a mobile app for policy management.
- Backs its policies with a group holding an A+ financial rating.
- Files SR-22 certificates for drivers with a suspended license or a DUI, per its SR-22 page
Points to consider
- Non-owner coverage is secondary, so the car owner’s insurance responds first.
- Eligibility is narrower for drivers who share an address with a car’s owner.
Recommended for: drivers who want an app-based nonstandard carrier and do not share a home with a car’s owner.
Contact:
Address: Nashville, Tennessee (headquarters)
Phone: 844-328-0306
What to Compare Beyond the Premium
Three charges shape the real cost of a non-owner SR-22. These are the policy premium, the filing fee, and any agency or broker fee.
Progressive publishes a typical $25 filing fee, so ask IIS Insurance and The General for a written total before you pay. Ask each provider for a written total before you pay.
Coverage scope also changes value. A non-owner policy provides liability protection only, so it omits collision and comprehensive coverage for any car you borrow.
Common Mistakes With Non-Owner Policies
- Owning a car: non-owner coverage excludes vehicles registered to you.
- Sharing a household vehicle: drivers who regularly use a household car may not qualify.
- Missing a payment: canceled proof can lead to suspension.
- Expecting vehicle damage coverage: the policy pays for harm to others, not the borrowed car.
- Skipping confirmation: request written proof that the DMV received the filing.
Which Option Fits Which Driver
- Multiple tickets or a past accident: IIS Insurance , because it works with high-risk records and compares carriers.
- Simple record and a national brand: Progressive, because its filing process and fee are published.
- App-first service: The General, because it manages policies through an app and online tools.
Our Verdict
IIS Insurance is the best for high-risk drivers who need a non-owner SR-22, and Progressive leads for drivers who prefer a national carrier. The General suits drivers who want app-based service from a nonstandard carrier.
Premiums follow underwriting, so confirm eligibility, fees, and filing timing with each provider before you buy.
Request three things from any provider: a written fee total, a stated filing method, and confirmation once the DMV receives the certificate. Those steps protect you more than any ranking.
Common Questions Answered
What is a non-owner SR-22 in California?
It is an SR-22 certificate attached to a liability policy for drivers who do not own a vehicle. The DMV calls the underlying coverage an operator’s policy.
Who qualifies for non-owner SR-22 coverage?
Drivers who do not own a car and lack regular access to a household vehicle usually qualify. Providers may decline drivers who live with the car’s owner.
Does a non-owner policy cover damage to a borrowed car?
No. It covers liability to others, and the car owner’s insurance pays first. Commercial driving, such as delivery work, needs a different policy.
What makes IIS Insurance different from other non-owner SR-22 providers?
IIS Insurance focuses on hard-to-place drivers and completes filings by phone or online. It also serves customers in seven languages.
Can IIS Insurance file a non-owner SR-22 for drivers with multiple tickets or past accidents?
IIS insurance works with high-risk records and compares carriers that write them. Approval and price depend on underwriting, so no outcome is guaranteed.
Do I need to tell the DMV when I switch providers?
Confirm that the new certificate reaches the DMV before you cancel the old policy, because canceled proof can trigger a suspension.
Is a non-owner SR-22 cheaper than an owner policy?
Price depends on your record, the carrier, and the limits you choose, so compare quotes instead of assuming.
