TeamThere are a couple of reasons you may be driving a vehicle that is not in your name. You could be renting a car, or maybe someone gifted you one, and the registration was not in your name. Or perhaps your car broke down, and a friend or family member give you a car to drive. In any case, you may be wondering if you can insure a car, not in your name.
Most often, the answer is no. That is because you will be financially responsible for any damages that may happen to the car. And this can be hard to prove if the car is not in your name. However, some auto insurers might provide you with an auto policy if you regularly drive the car. Having said that, here is everything you need to know about insuring a vehicle that is not in your name.
State Laws May Prevent You From Insuring A Car Not In Your Name
Before you even try to find a way to insure a car you don’t own, you need to make sure that it is even possible. Some states laws prevent this from happening since they require registration and insurance to work together.
For example, New York won’t allow you to register a vehicle unless you have auto insurance for the car. Cars you inherit should already have the name of the owner on the car insurance, so you don’t need to insure a vehicle that is not in your name since it has already been covered.
Understanding Insurable Interest
As mentioned earlier, it is almost impossible to insure a car that is not in your name because insurers want you to prove you have insurance interest in the vehicle. And if you can’t prove you have a financial stake in the car, you may not be able to find an insurer willing to sell you an auto insurance policy.
When applying for a car policy, you can prove your insurable interest by submitting your car’s title or car registration, which is an official document that states who owns the car. However, if you don’t have a car, it will be more difficult to prove to an insurer that you have a genuine motive for insuring the car.
Even if you are allowed to purchase car insurance, there is usually a consequence for the owner of the car. For instance, the car’s owner will likely have lapses to deal with in their auto insurance. These lapses can lead to an increase in premium for the owner since insurers see the gap as an increased risk.
Alternatives To Insuring a Car Not in My Name
If you still need to insure a car that is not in your name, especially in a state that requires registration and insurance, you may have a few alternative options, which include:
Co-Title
Co-titling a car means having your name added to the title for the car, thus, allowing you to hold an insurance policy on it. Each DMV has a specific need for doing this. But to add an owner to a vehicle, you will likely need to conjointly apply for a new title. Keep in mind that if the car is not yet paid off, this may not be an option.
Additional Interest
You can decide to add the vehicle’s nominal owner to your auto policy as an additional interest. This states that someone else’s has an insurable interest in the car. Also, note that your premiums will not increase.
Additional Driver
If you live with someone, say a family member or roommate, and drive their car frequently, insurers may require them to add you as a named insured on their insurance. You may be able to include a named insured to your car insurance online or over the phone.
Non-Owner Insurance
This is a liability-only type of car insurance that provides coverage for those that are driving a vehicle that is not their own. Non-owner insurance is ideal for drivers who frequently borrow or rent cars. This auto policy is designed to supplements the primary auto policy and is the easiest approach if you do not live with the owner of the car you drive.
Conclusion
It is quite challenging to get an auto insurance policy for a car that is not in your name, but with the factors stated above, you will be in a better position to insure the car. Keep in mind that there are penalties for driving uninsured, so it is vital to find a way to get coverage for your situation.
