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Written by: 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.
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Key TakeawaysWhat 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.
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It depends on who you want to insure because you have two options for private operator insurance.
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.
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:
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.
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| Company | Named Driver Policy | Non-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 |
Also, when selecting a company that offers a named operator policy, ensure that you meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements.
These are the state requirements for liability car insurance:
Minimum Liability Car Insurance Requirements by State| States | Minimum Liability Limit Requirements |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 |
| Arizona | 15/30/10 |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 |
| California | 15/30/5 |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 |
| Connecticut | 25/50/20 |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 |
| District of Columbia | 25/50/10 |
| Florida | 10/20/10 |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 |
| Maine | 50/100/25 |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 |
| Michigan | 20/40/10 |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 |
| Montana | 25/50/20 |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25 |
| New Jersey | 15/30/5 |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 |
| New York | 25/50/10 |
| North Carolina | 30/60/25 |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 |
| Oregon | 25/50/25 |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 |
| Tennessee | 25/50/15 |
| Texas | 30/60/25 |
| Utah | 25/65/15 |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 |
| Virginia | 25/50/20 |
| Washington | 25/50/10 |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 |
If your state requires uninsured motorist coverage, that insurance has the same limits as your liability auto insurance.
Below, you will find minimum requirements for states that allow personal injury protection:
Personal Injury Protection Car Insurance Coverage Requirements Per State| State | Is PIP Required? | Minimum PIP Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | No | N/A |
| Delaware | Yes | $15,000 per person; $30,000 per accident; $5,000 for funeral expenses |
| District of Columbia | No | N/A |
| Florida | Yes | $10,000 per person |
| Hawaii | Yes | $10,000 per person |
| Kansas | Yes | $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 |
| Kentucky | Yes | $10,000 per person |
| Maryland | Yes | $2,500 per person |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $8,000 per person |
| Michigan | Yes | Varies |
| Minnesota | Yes | $20,000 for medical expenses; $20,000 to cover lost wages |
| New Hampshire | No | $1,000 |
| New Jersey | Yes | $15,000 per person; Up to $250,000 in disability (for severe or permanent injury) |
| New York | Yes | $50,000 per person |
| North Dakota | Yes | $30,000 per person |
| Oregon | Yes | $15,000 per person |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $5,000 per person |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | Medical payments, payments for injury or death |
| South Dakota | No | N/A |
| Texas | Yes | $2,500 per person |
| Utah | Yes | $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 |
| Virginia | No | N/A |
| Washington | No | $10,000 per person |
Read more about personal injury protection before purchasing this coverage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The coverage provided by a named operator policy depends on the type of policy chosen. There are two options:
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.
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.
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.