Can you insure a car you don’t own?
Yes, you can insure a car you don’t legally own — but only if you have permission and the right type of policy.
Standard car insurance is designed for owners and registered keepers, but there are several legal ways to get cover if you’re borrowing, sharing, or using someone else’s car long-term.
This isn’t an unusual situation. Maybe you’re driving your partner’s car regularly. Maybe your child’s away at uni and you’re looking after their car. Or maybe you’re borrowing a mate’s vehicle while yours is in for repair. These are all everyday scenarios — but they’re also legal grey zones when it comes to insurance.
Many drivers assume that having permission to drive a car means they’re automatically covered. They’re not. Some mistakenly rely on the “Driving Other Cars” clause from their own policy — only to find it’s third-party only or doesn’t apply at all.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to get insured on a car you don’t own, what insurers look for, which options are available, and the most common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re borrowing for a day or using someone else’s car full-time, here’s how to stay legal — and protected.
What does it mean to insure a car you don’t own?
Insuring a car you don’t own means arranging cover for a vehicle registered in someone else’s name — typically because you drive it regularly or need legal protection while using it.
Ownership and insurance don’t always go hand in hand. In the UK, the owner is the person who bought or paid for the vehicle. The registered keeper is the person named on the V5C logbook — the one responsible for taxing and maintaining it. Often, these are the same person. But not always.
So what happens when you’re neither?
Let’s say you’re borrowing your sister’s car a few times a week. Or your partner owns the car, but you’re the one using it daily. Or you’re temporarily driving a friend’s vehicle while they’re abroad. In all these cases, you may need your own insurance policy — even if the owner has one already.
This is where insurable interest comes into play. It’s a legal term meaning you stand to suffer a financial loss if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. Insurers usually expect this to apply to the person arranging cover — but there are exceptions.
Insuring a car you don’t own is legal, but insurers need to know about the ownership status up front. If you misrepresent it — even by accident — they can void the policy or refuse a claim.
Here are a few everyday examples:
- A parent lets their child use the family car full-time while away at university
- A couple share one vehicle, but only one name is on the V5C
- A friend lends you their car for a month while they’re travelling abroad
- A company car is used for personal reasons outside of business hours
The common thread? You’re not the legal owner, but you still need insurance to drive the car — and to do it properly, you need the right type of policy.
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Get QuotesHow can you insure a car you don’t own?
You can insure a car you don’t own by becoming a named driver, taking out temporary cover, buying a non-owner policy, or using ‘Driving Other Cars’ (DOC) cover — each has different conditions, risks, and restrictions.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The right approach depends on how often you drive the vehicle, who owns it, and what kind of access you have.
Let’s break down the four main options:
1. Named Driver on the Owner’s Policy
If the car has an existing policy, the easiest route is to ask the owner to add you as a named driver. You’ll be insured to drive it, and the cost is usually lower than taking out a separate policy.
But here’s the catch — the main driver must actually be the main user. If you’re using the car more than the owner, and they list you as a secondary driver to save money, it could be classed as fronting. That’s insurance fraud, and it can lead to denied claims or a cancelled policy.
2. Temporary or Short-Term Insurance
Need cover for a few hours or days? A temporary insurance policy lets you drive a car you don’t own without altering the owner’s existing policy. These are standalone policies — if you have an accident, it doesn’t affect the car owner’s no claims bonus.
Duration can range from 1 hour to 30 days, and it’s ideal for:
- Borrowing a car for a weekend
- Test driving a vehicle
- Visiting family and sharing the driving
3. Non-Owner Car Insurance
Some insurers offer specialist non-owner policies for people who regularly drive cars they don’t own. These are less common and often cost more, but can be useful if you’re frequently behind the wheel of someone else’s vehicle.
These policies usually offer third-party cover, sometimes with optional add-ons. You’ll need written permission from the car’s owner, and you’ll often be restricted in how the car can be used.
4. Driving Other Cars (DOC) Extension
This is often misunderstood. DOC cover is sometimes included in fully comprehensive policies, letting you drive other cars with third-party-only cover. But it’s:
- Not automatic
- Often limited to emergencies
- Typically only valid if you’re 25+
Always check your certificate of insurance to confirm whether DOC cover applies — and never assume you’re covered.
Quick Comparison Table
| Option | Best For | Main Risk or Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Named Driver | Shared vehicles within households | Can’t be used to avoid fronting rules |
| Temporary Insurance | Short-term borrowing or emergencies | Cost per day can be high for extended use |
| Non-Owner Policy | Frequent non-owner drivers | Not offered by all insurers |
| DOC Cover | Emergency use of other vehicles | Third-party only, strict restrictions apply |
Getting covered is possible — but only if you pick the right tool for the job. Choosing the wrong one could leave you uninsured, even if you think you’re protected.
Do you need to be the registered keeper?
No — you don’t need to be the registered keeper to insure a car, but many insurers prefer it, and not being the keeper can trigger extra checks, higher premiums, or even a refusal to quote.
In the UK, the registered keeper is the person listed on the car’s V5C logbook. They’re the one responsible for taxing the vehicle and ensuring it’s road legal — but they’re not always the owner. And they’re not always the person driving it.
So what happens when that’s you?
Let’s say you use your partner’s car every day for work, but it’s registered in their name. Or your adult child owns the car, but you’re the one keeping and driving it while they’re away. In these cases, you’re not the keeper — but you still need to be insured.
Some insurers are fine with this, especially if you’re closely related or live at the same address. Others may:
- Ask for proof of permission to drive the car
- Require you to explain your relationship to the keeper
- Apply higher premiums due to perceived risk
- Refuse to provide a fully comprehensive policy to a non-keeper
If you’re insuring a car you don’t own or keep, make sure to tell the insurer upfront. Failing to disclose this correctly could invalidate the policy.
The DVLA doesn’t require the insurer and the registered keeper to match. But some insurers do — or at least, they may require a compelling reason for why they don’t.
Why might insuring a car you don’t own be more expensive?
Because insurers see non-owners as a higher risk — and when you’re not the legal keeper, it’s harder to prove insurable interest or maintain full control of the vehicle. That uncertainty often comes with a higher premium.
Think of it from the insurer’s point of view. If you don’t own the car, and you’re not the registered keeper, how do they know:
- You have permission to drive it?
- You’ll be using it safely and legally?
- You’re not trying to reduce your premium by avoiding being listed as the owner?
This is where issues like fronting come into play. That’s when someone — often a parent — insures a car in their name but the actual main driver is someone else, typically a younger or higher-risk driver. It’s a form of fraud, and insurers are trained to spot the red flags.
But even when everything’s above board, not being the owner or keeper means more admin, more checks, and more grey areas — all of which translate to higher risk in the insurer’s eyes.
Why Premiums Might Be Higher for Non-Owners
| Risk Factor | Why It Matters to Insurers |
|---|---|
| Lack of Insurable Interest | Harder to prove you’d suffer loss if car is damaged |
| Unclear Usage Patterns | Uncertainty around who drives it, when, and why |
| Risk of Fronting | Owner might not be main user — potential fraud |
| Reduced Vehicle Control | You’re not responsible for upkeep or location |
| Poor Claims Confidence | Harder to validate liability or intent |
It’s not always more expensive — but you’ll almost certainly be underwritten more carefully, especially if you’re requesting a comprehensive policy and you’re not the car’s legal keeper.
Can you insure a car owned by a family member or partner?
Yes — you can insure a car owned by a family member or partner, as long as you have permission and are fully transparent with the insurer about who owns, keeps, and uses the vehicle.
This is one of the most common non-owner insurance scenarios: couples sharing one car, adult children borrowing a parent’s vehicle, or siblings using each other’s cars during university holidays. It’s normal. It’s legal. But it needs to be declared properly.
Some insurers will let you:
- Take out a policy on the car even if it’s not in your name
- Be a named driver on the owner’s existing policy
- Arrange temporary cover for short-term use
- Take out a non-owner policy if you drive the car frequently
The main rule? Avoid fronting. If you’re using the car daily, and you’re listed as a named driver just to reduce the cost, it could invalidate the policy. The main user must be listed as the main driver. Always.
Here’s a quick example:
You and your partner live together. The car’s in their name, but you use it to commute daily. In this case, you must either:
a) Be listed as the main driver on a policy that reflects that usage
or
b) Take out your own non-owner policy with their permission
It’s worth noting that some insurers are stricter than others. They may ask you to prove a close relationship or shared address. In rare cases, they may refuse cover entirely unless you’re the keeper.
What are the pitfalls to avoid when insuring a car you don’t own?
The biggest risks are misrepresenting who owns or drives the vehicle, assuming you’re covered when you’re not, and failing to declare the true arrangement with your insurer.
It’s surprisingly easy to make a mistake that could invalidate your policy. But it’s just as easy to avoid if you know what to look out for.
Fronting
This is the most common issue — and the most serious. Fronting is when someone (often a parent) puts themselves down as the main driver to reduce the premium for a higher-risk driver, usually their child. But if the child is actually using the car every day, it’s fraud. If discovered, the insurer can void the policy, reject claims, and even report the offence. It also makes future insurance harder to obtain.
Assuming ‘Driving Other Cars’ Cover Applies
Many fully comprehensive policies no longer include this as standard. And even when they do, it often only provides third-party cover, applies only in emergencies, and is restricted to drivers over 25. Relying on DOC cover without confirming it first is a common way people end up unknowingly uninsured.
Failing to Prove Insurable Interest
Insurers may ask why you’re insuring a car you don’t own. If you can’t demonstrate insurable interest — meaning you’d suffer a loss if something happened to the car — they might refuse cover or treat the policy as invalid. Driving a partner’s or parent’s car often qualifies, but you must be able to explain the arrangement.
Not Declaring the Ownership Situation
If you take out a policy and allow the insurer to assume you’re the owner or registered keeper when you’re not, that’s a misrepresentation. Even if it’s unintentional, it can be treated as a breach of your insurance contract. This is especially dangerous in the event of a claim.
Insuring the Car Without the Owner’s Permission
You can’t just insure someone else’s car without their knowledge. Even if your intentions are good, the law and insurers require consent. If a claim arises and the owner disputes your use of the vehicle, the insurer may refuse to pay out.
The Solution: Clarity
Before arranging cover, make sure you’re clear on the following:
- Who owns the car
- Who is listed on the logbook
- Who drives it the most
- Whether you have permission to insure or use it
Then disclose those details in full when getting quotes. It’s the simplest way to ensure you’re genuinely covered — and not just assuming you are.
Final thoughts
Yes, you can insure a car you don’t own — but only if you’re upfront about the situation, use the right type of policy, and have the vehicle owner’s full permission.
This is one of those areas where assumptions can be costly. Many drivers think that having permission to use a car is enough. Or that being added as a named driver automatically makes them covered in all situations. Or that taking out their own policy on someone else’s car is always straightforward.
It isn’t.
Ownership, registration, and insurable interest are three separate things. Insurers want to know: who owns the car, who keeps it, and who drives it day-to-day. If those answers don’t match up — or you fail to disclose them — you risk having your cover declined or your policy voided entirely.
The good news? With the right insurer, and the right information, it’s possible to get insured in a way that’s completely legal, valid, and fit for purpose — whether you’re borrowing a car short term, sharing it long term, or driving a partner’s vehicle every day.
The key is transparency. Once you’re honest about your role, insurers can assess the risk properly and offer you the cover you actually need — not the cover you assume you’ve got.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, if your insurer accepts it and you’re the main driver. You’ll need the owner’s permission and must be transparent about who owns and keeps the vehicle.
In some cases, yes. Not all insurers allow it, and you may be asked to prove why you need this level of cover as a non-owner.
No. You must have the owner’s full consent to arrange any type of insurance on their vehicle.
It means you’d suffer a financial loss if the car were damaged. Without it, your insurer might refuse cover or decline claims.
No. DOC cover is often restricted to emergencies, limited to third-party only, and excluded entirely from many policies. Always check your documents.
Yes, but only if you truly are the main user. Misrepresenting this to get a cheaper premium is considered fronting — and it’s insurance fraud.
Technically yes, but it’s uncommon and can cause confusion during claims. It’s better to be added to one policy unless absolutely necessary.
No. If you have a standalone temporary or non-owner policy, any claims would affect your record — not theirs.