Can you insure a car you don't own?

Maybe you want to drive a friend's car from time to time. Or, perhaps you need to drive a family member's car a few times a week.

You don't need to be the owner of a car to drive it. But, you do need to make sure you've got the right cover. That’s where we come in to help.

Read on for everything you need to know!

So, can you insure a car you don't own?

Yes, you can!

There's various types of non-owner car insurance options available out there. These policies are designed for drivers who need coverage, but who don't outright own the car they plan to drive.

So, this type of cover might suit you if:

• You occasionally drive a family member's car.
• You're in the process of buying your own car and want to borrow a friend's vehicle in the meantime.
• You're house sitting for someone and are allowed to use their car.

Just one important thing—make sure you have permission from the car's owner before getting behind the wheel!

Why your existing policy might not cover you

Even if you already have fully comprehensive car insurance for your own vehicle, it doesn't necessarily mean you're covered to drive someone else's car. This is because, in most cases, insurance policies are tied to the car itself, not the driver.

While some car insurance providers might make exceptions based on your personal information, this kind of coverage is not typically covered as standard.

What about driving other cars cover?

Some comprehensive car insurance policies could include something called Driving Other Cars cover (DOC). If you have DOC, you'll be able to legally drive other cars.

But there's a catch: It's usually limited to emergencies only. So you won't be able to use it for day-to-day driving.

Coverage is typically third-party only too. So, damage to the car you're driving wouldn't be covered.

So, if you're planning to drive someone else's car regularly—for commuting, errands or anything non-emergency—you'll still need the appropriate cover.

What if I’m the registered keeper, but not the owner, of a car?

That's alright, you should still be able to get insurance for the car without any issues.

The registered keeper is responsible for the car's day-to-day use, while the owner is the person who either bought the car or recieved it as a gift. Though these roles are usually held by the same person, they don't have to be.

The key is to let your insurer know you're not the owner when getting a quote. This way, they can tailor your policy to suit your situation. Let's go over your options in the next section!

How do I insure a car that’s not in my name?

There's a few options available to you here.

Let's take a closer look:

Buy your own insurance policy

If you're going to be the main driver of the car but you're not the actual owner, look into getting your own non-owner policy. Like we've mentioned above, you'll just need to specify that you're not the owner when getting a quote.

Buy temporary insurance

Only planning to drive someone else's car temporarily? You might find that temporary car insurance is the perfect fit for you and your driving needs. It's a short-term version of car insurance that can cover you from 1 hour up to 28 days.

Get added as a named driver

The last thing you could consider is being added to the owner's policy as a named driver. It might be ideal if you want to drive someone else's car, but you don't plan on being the main driver of it.

But, just be mindful of something known as fronting. This is when the person who is registered as the main driver isn't actually doing the majority of driving. Fronting is typically used to allow new, young drivers to get cheaper car insurance. But, this is fraud and can result in a criminal record—so keep this in mind.

Can you have two insurance policies on the same car?

Yes, you can have two insurance policies on the same car. But, it's not always the most cost-effective choice. It's usually cheaper and easier to just be added as a named driver on the owner's existing policy.

And, here's a possible bonus: if you're an experienced driver, being a named driver could even help lower the overall premium for the policyholder. It's worth checking with the insurer to see how this might work for you.

Will it be harder to find insurance for a car I don’t own?

Yes, it can be more challenging to find insurance for a car you don't own.

Insurers might consider you a higher risk because you're not the owner, which could suggest you're less likely to take care of the car. In turn, potentially raising the chance of a claim.

To help lower this risk, insurers might ask you to show something called insurable interest. This simply means proving you would face financial loss if the car was damaged or stolen. So, for example, if you're responsible for its upkeep—demonstrating this can help insurers see you as less risky to insure.

What if it’s a company car?

If you're driving a company car for work, it's might already be insured under your employer's policy. But, if it isn't, look into business car insurance to make sure you're covered for work-related driving.

Top tip: If you're not sure what cover your company car's got, just speak to your employer for clarification.