Wondering if you can insure a vehicle that’s not registered in your name? 

Here’s what you should know.

If you’re the registered owner of a car, you are financially responsible for it. You can’t insure a vehicle you don’t own. However, you can list someone else as the principal operator of the vehicle. 

Insurance companies typically want to confirm that the person acquiring the insurance has a vested interest in the vehicle in question. It’s not a common scenario to have someone insure a vehicle that is not in their name, but there are some scenarios where we’ll be asked if it’s possible.

Common Reasons People Want To Insure A Car They Don’t Own 

Clients ask us about insuring an automobile for several reasons:

  • They would like to add the vehicle owner’s name to an existing policy.
  • They have a financial stake in the car.
  • They’re related to and/or live in the same household as the vehicle owner.
  • Someone is moving in with them, and they may share the vehicle.

The Risks of Other People Driving Your Car

As long as the person driving your car has a valid driver’s license, and the vehicle is insured under your policy, you are covered. 

However, don’t forget that every time you lend your vehicle you lend your insurance. If the person driving your car gets into an accident, your policy will be affected.  

Understanding Non-Owner Insurance 

Non-owner insurance is ideal for people who don’t own a vehicle but want to be covered with liability coverage in case they have an accident while driving someone else’s vehicle.

If you are not the owner of a car but would like to be insured to drive one, it may be easier to get added as an insured driver on someone’s existing auto insurance policy.

Adding A Person To Your Car Insurance Policy 

If you want a simple way to insure a car that you don’t own, you can add the owner of the vehicle to your insurance policy.

If you live at the same address as a car owner, it’s relatively easy to be added to an insurance policy. 

To complete this change, the vehicle owner will need to contact an insurance company and provide the name to be included in their auto insurance policy.

Contact Benson Kearley For Auto Insurance 

Most insurers will not sell you an insurance policy on a car that is not legally yours. However, there are some options available to you, depending on the scenario. 

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more.