Can a car be registered in one name and insured in another UK?

Yes, you can take out an insurance policy on a car that’s already insured by someone else. In the UK, this type of cover is known as non-owner car insurance. However, where possible, it’s usually cheaper to add yourself to the car owner’s existing policy as a named driver.

Does the registered keeper have to be the main driver?

Every car insurance policy has a “main driver”. The main driver has to drive the car more often than the named driver. If they don’t, it counts as a type of fraud called “fronting”. But the main driver doesn’t necessarily have to be the owner or the registered keeper.

Can I insure a car that belongs to someone else?

No, in most cases, it’s unlikely that you’d be able to insure a car that isn’t in your name. Generally, whoever is the titled owner of a car needs to be the one to insure it. Car insurance companies want to make sure the primary policyholder has what’s called insurable interest in the car they’re insuring.

Do you have to be the registered owner of a vehicle to insure it UK?

You can insure a vehicle you don’t own, but you must tell the insurer that you’re neither the registered keeper nor the owner. Some car insurance companies may only insure you as the main driver if you’re also the registered keeper.

Can I own a car but not be the registered keeper?

The owner of a vehicle is the person or company that bought the vehicle or somebody who was given the vehicle as a gift. The owner is not necessarily and does not have to be the registered keeper or be the day to day user/driver of the car.

Can I insure a car that is not registered to me?

You can get insurance coverage on a car that’s not registered to you. The car must be registered in the owner’s name or the person who holds the title, and the owner’s name must also be included on the car insurance policy. Or, you can get non-owners insurance.

Can a named driver insure a vehicle without being the owner?

Usually you can tell the insurance company that you are neither the owner or the registered keeper but the named driver and they will insure you.

Should I take my Name off my car registration?

As the registered keeper, you do not have any legal rights on the car and you should consider taking your name off it because any speeding tickets/parking fines incurred by whoever is driving the car at the moment, will be sent to you.

Do I need a named driver policy?

Named driver policies are only appropriate if the named driver is not the main driver (main user) or the owner of the vehicle. Named drivers should be careful to avoid ‘fronting’, a form of insurance fraud. In some cases your own motor insurance policy may cover you for driving another person’s vehicle (providing they also have insurance).

What happens if I drive someone else’s car?

If you drive someone else’s vehicle then you will not be covered by their (the main driver) motor insurance policy – you must become a named driver on their policy. As a named driver you will be given the same level of cover as the vehicle’s main driver.