Can I insure a car that’s not registered to me?

There are many reasons why you might need to drive a car you don’t own. You might be staying with friends temporarily, for example, or you might be borrowing a relative’s car to run weekly errands.

Whatever the reason, it’s crucial that you have the right type of car insurance policy in place to ensure you’re driving legally.

Can I insure a car that I don’t own?

Yes, it is possible to insure a car that you don’t own but you’ll need to inform the insurer that you are neither the registered keeper of the vehicle, nor the owner.

Not all insurers will offer cover as the main driver if you are not the registered keeper of the car, but some will. However, the cost is likely to be much higher.

Can you legally drive someone else’s car?

To legally drive someone else’s car there are several options available to you:

Buy your own car insurance policy for the vehicle

As mentioned above, one option is to simply apply for car insurance in your own name to drive another car. Just be aware that you may need to shop around to find a suitable policy as some insurers will only allow you to drive someone else’s car if it belongs to:

• A spouse, partner or civil partner
• An employer
• A parent
• A car leasing company

Get added as a named driver

You can usually drive someone else’s car by being added as a named driver to their existing car insurance policy. Depending on your age and driving experience, and how this compares to the main driver, this may increase or reduce the cost of insurance premiums.

For example, if you’re a young driver looking to join your parent’s policy, it’s likely that the cost of the policy will go up as insurers will view you as more likely to be involved in an accident and more likely to make a claim. On the flipside, if a more experienced driver is added as a named driver on your policy, you may be able to enjoy lower premiums as a result.

Regardless of who is being added to the policy, it’s important that the main driver is the policyholder to avoid “fronting“, which could invalidate the car insurance policy altogether. If you don’t share the same address as the main driver, you may also find it more difficult to get added as a named driver.

Buy a short-term insurance policy

A short-term car insurance policy could be the answer if you know you’ll only need to drive somebody else’s car for a limited time – for example, if you’re staying with friends for a couple of weeks.
Policies typically last between one and 28 days, although some can offer cover for a few months. Premiums tend to be more expensive than for standard insurance but it can be more cost-effective if you only need insurance for a short time.

Check if your own insurance policy covers you to drive other cars

If you already have comprehensive car insurance on your own car, you might automatically be covered to drive other cars. Check your policy documents carefully to see whether driving other cars (DOC) cover is included – it will be third party cover only.

DOC cover is not as common as it used to be, but some car insurance providers will still offer it. This cover might only be available if:

• You are over 25 years old
• You have not hired the car
• You don’t own the car
• The car is covered by an existing insurance policy

If DOC cover is included, it is typically for emergencies only and not for regular driving.

Can I insure a car that’s already insured by someone else?

Yes, you can insure a car that’s already insured by another driver. This is known as non-owner car insurance. Just be aware that it can work out to be quite expensive, so you may be better off adding yourself as a named driver to the other person’s policy or taking out temporary cover.

How does non-owner car insurance work?

Non-owner car insurance works in the same way as standard car insurance, and it will cover you to drive the car under the same terms and conditions. However, it’s crucial that when you apply, you inform the insurer you do not own the car, and you are not the registered keeper.

How much does it cost to insure a car that’s not in my name?

Insuring a car that’s not in your name can cost more than a standard policy. This is because insurers tend to view you as higher risk and more likely to make a claim when driving a car that doesn’t belong to you.

Depending on factors such as your age, driving history and the type of car, you could look to pay anywhere between £100 and £200 more.

What kind of insurance do I need if I don’t own a car?

Continuous Law Enforcement (CIE) rules mean that all vehicles on the road need to be insured all the time.

However, it’s important to remember that it’s the driver that needs insuring, not the vehicle. So even if the owner of a car has insurance, that doesn’t mean someone else will automatically be insured to drive it.

The only options for legally being able to drive a car you don’t own are to take out your own car insurance policy on the vehicle (either full cover or temporary – unless you have DOC cover) or be added as a named driver to the owner’s policy.

If you’re caught driving without the right insurance in place, you could get a fine of £300 and six penalty points. If the case goes to court, you could get an unlimited fine and be banned from driving.

Can I get car insurance as the main driver if I’m not the registered keeper?

This will depend on the insurer. Some insurers will allow it, others won’t, so be sure to shop around and compare your options. If your insurer does allow it, it may be on the condition that the registered keeper is a spouse, partner or civil partner, a parent, or an employer or leasing company.

Bottom line

If you need to drive someone else’s car, there are several ways to do so. Which option is right for you will partly depend on how long you need to borrow the car for, what cover you already have in place and how much you’re prepared to spend. The key, as always, is to shop around and compare your options carefully to make sure you’re getting the best deal for you. Always check the small print to ensure you know exactly what you’re covered for.

Frequently asked questions

• As a named driver, do I get the same cover as the policyholder?

  Yes. If the car is covered by a comprehensive policy, then all drivers named on the policy can drive it with comprehensive cover. That said, it’s always a good idea to check the terms and conditions before buying.

• Can you always get insurance for a car you don't own?

  No, not necessarily. While many insurers will offer cover, some providers may only do so if the car you don’t own belongs to someone you know, for example your spouse, a parent or your employer.

• How do I find out who owns the car?

  In many cases, the owner and the registered keeper of a car will be the same person. The registered keeper of the car should be named on the registration certificate (DVLA V5C).

  However, in some cases, the owner and registered keeper will be different. With a company car, for example, the company would technically own the car but you would still be the registered keeper as you’re the one driving and looking after it. .

• What happens if you let someone else drive your car?

  If someone else wants to drive your car, insurance works in just the same way as if you wanted to drive their vehicle. In other words, they will either need to take out their own insurance policy on your car, have DOC cover, apply for temporary insurance or be added as a named driver to your policy.

• What happens if someone else commits a driving offence in your car?

  This will depend on the type of insurance they have. If they have their own policy – whether full or temporary – this will be completely separate from your own insurance. This means the driver and their insurer will be responsible for any accidents or damage caused while driving your car.

  However, if the other person is a named driver on your own insurance policy, a claim will need to be made on your insurance. This means your no claim bonus could be affected and you’re likely to see a rise in premiums at renewal.

  Remember that DOC cover is third party only, so the person driving your car would need to pay for any repairs to it out of their own pocket.

• Can you drive someone else's car in an emergency?

  You can only legally do so if you have DOC cover in place or you’re already insured on the other person’s car. If you’re not, you won’t be legally permitted to drive the car – even in an emergency.

  Some temporary car insurance policies offer immediate cover to help you deal with urgent situations.

• What is the difference between legal owner and registered keeper?

  The owner of the car is the person who bought and paid for the car. The registered keeper is the person who mostly drives and looks after it.