Can I Insure A Car That’s Registered In Someone Else’s Name?

Why Do Insurers Prefer The Policyholder To Be The Registered Keeper?

Car insurance providers generally prefer the person taking out the policy to be both the main driver and the registered keeper of the vehicle. This is because the registered keeper is the person responsible for the car, including paying road tax and ensuring it meets MOT and insurance requirements. The main driver, meanwhilst, is the person who drives the car most often.

Here’s why this distinction is important:

• Risk assessment: Insurers calculate risk based on the main driver’s record, habits, and personal information. They need to know who is most responsible for the car's day-to-day use to accurately assess the level of risk and set the appropriate premium.
• Avoiding ‘fronting’: Insurers are wary of ‘fronting,’ a practice where someone takes out insurance in their name to cover a vehicle primarily driven by someone else (often a younger, higher-risk driver). This is illegal and can lead to policy cancellation and claims being denied.
• Legal ownership: In the event of an accident, insurers need clarity about ownership and responsibility for the car, and having the policyholder as the registered keeper simplifies the claims process.

However, whilst this is the norm, there are exceptions where you may be able to insure a car even if you’re not the registered keeper or owner.

Can You Be A Named Driver On Someone Else’s Policy?

One of the simplest ways to drive a car that isn’t registered in your name is to be added as a named driver on the owner’s insurance policy. This is a common solution when a family member, such as a parent or partner, owns the car, but you drive it regularly.

Here’s how being a named driver works:

• Shared cover: The main policyholder remains the person who owns and primarily drives the car, whilst you are added as a named driver, allowing you to legally drive the vehicle under their policy.
• Policyholder responsibility: The registered keeper still holds the main responsibility for the car’s upkeep, but you’re covered if you need to drive it.
• Limitations on usage: Being a named driver usually means you can drive the car occasionally, but you won’t be the main driver. If you drive the car more frequently than the policyholder, this could be considered fronting, which is illegal.

If you only drive the car occasionally, being added as a named driver is an easy and cost-effective option. However, if you’re using the car more often than the owner, you’ll need to look at alternative insurance options to avoid breaking any rules.

Can You Get Temporary Insurance For A Car You Don’t Own?

If you only need to drive a car registered in someone else’s name for a short period, temporary car insurance can be a practical solution. This type of policy provides comprehensive cover for a limited time, usually between one day and a few weeks, allowing you to legally drive the car without affecting the owner’s policy.

Here are some benefits of temporary car insurance:

• Short-term flexibility: Temporary insurance allows you to cover the car for as long as you need it, whether it's for a day trip, a weekend away, or whilst borrowing the car during repairs to your own vehicle.
• Full comprehensive cover: Most temporary insurance policies provide comprehensive cover, meaning you're covered for damage to the car you're driving, as well as third-party liability.
• No impact on the owner's policy: Since it’s a separate policy, the owner’s no-claims bonus won’t be affected if you need to make a claim.

Temporary car insurance is ideal for those who only need occasional access to a car they don’t own, offering flexibility without the need for long-term cover.

Can You Take Out A Policy As The Main Driver If You’re Not The Registered Keeper?

In some situations, it’s possible to take out a full car insurance policy in your name, even if you’re not the registered keeper. This option is often necessary if you are the main driver of the vehicle but someone else is the legal owner or registered keeper-such as in the case of company cars or vehicles owned by a family member who no longer drives.

However, there are some key considerations:

• Transparency: When applying for insurance, you must inform the insurer that you are not the registered keeper of the car. Failure to disclose this can lead to problems with claims, as the insurer needs full transparency about ownership and usage.
• Higher premiums: Insuring a car you don’t own can sometimes lead to higher premiums, as insurers view it as a higher risk compared to insuring a vehicle registered in your name.
• Legal ownership: Make sure the car’s registered keeper is aware and consents to you taking out a policy in your name, as this may require additional paperwork or agreement between parties.

In cases where you are the primary user of the car but not the legal owner, this option can provide the cover you need, but be prepared for potentially higher costs and more detailed paperwork.

How Does Car Ownership Affect No-Claims Bonuses?

One important consideration when insuring a car that isn’t registered in your name is how it affects your no-claims bonus (NCB). The NCB is built up over time by the policyholder for each year they drive without making a claim. If you are not the main policyholder, you won’t be able to earn or use your no-claims bonus on that vehicle.

Here’s how it works:

• Main driver policies: If you take out a policy as the main driver, you may be able to build your own no-claims bonus, even if the car is registered in someone else’s name.
• Named drivers: Named drivers on someone else’s policy do not typically build their own no-claims bonus, as the policy is under the main driver’s name.
• Temporary insurance: Most temporary policies do not allow drivers to build up a no-claims bonus, as they are short-term in nature.

If building up your no-claims bonus is important to you, consider taking out a policy in your name rather than relying on being a named driver.

Can You Insure A Car On Behalf Of Someone Else?

In some cases, you may need to insure a car on behalf of someone who can no longer drive regularly but remains the registered keeper. This situation often arises when someone is elderly or temporarily unable to drive but still owns the car. Insurers may allow you to insure the vehicle as the main driver, provided you clearly state that the owner is not the primary user of the car.

This is typically done in situations where:

• Family vehicles: A family member owns the car but no longer drives it often, so another family member takes on the responsibility of driving and insuring the vehicle.
• Long-term use: You regularly use a car owned by someone else, such as a company car or a vehicle belonging to a partner or friend who no longer drives.

When insuring a car on behalf of someone else, it’s typically advisable to have clear communication with both the car owner and the insurer to avoid any complications.

What Are The Risks Of Not Being Transparent With Insurers?

Failing to provide accurate information to insurers can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to the ownership and use of a vehicle. If you attempt to insure a car without disclosing that it’s registered in someone else’s name or that you’re not the main driver, you could face several risks:

• Claim rejection: If your insurer look fors out that the information provided was inaccurate, they may refuse to pay out any claims, leaving you responsible for costs following an accident or theft.
• Policy cancellation: Providing false or incomplete information can lead to the cancellation of your policy, potentially leaving you uninsured and facing legal penalties.
• Legal consequences: Driving a car without proper insurance is illegal in the UK, and if your policy is invalidated, you could face fines, points on your licence, or even prosecution.

To avoid these risks, always be upfront with your insurer about the vehicle’s ownership and your role as the main driver or a named driver.

If you need to insure a car that isn’t registered in your name, compare insurance quotes today to look for the right policy for your situation and ensure you’re fully covered on the road.

Why not get quotes now?