If you want to insure a car you don’t own, you can either convince an insurance company to let you take out a policy or take out non-owner coverage.
The insurance shopping app Jerry has put together all the information you need to know about how to get car insurance on a vehicle you don’t own. And if you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, you can go to Jerry for that, too.
Read on to learn more about whether or not you can insure someone else’s car, and how to insure someone else’s car.
Can you insure a car you don’t own?
Yes, you can insure a car you don’t own. If you can prove that you have insurable interest to the insurance company, you can insure the vehicle, even if it’s not technically yours. However, establishing your interest in a vehicle when your name is not on the title can be tricky.
Insurance companies might be reluctant to provide insurance to somebody who doesn’t own a car because they might not care if the vehicle ends up damaged. Likewise, fraudsters might try to insure a vehicle that doesn’t belong to them so they can cash in on the payout.
Key TakeawayIt can be tricky to establish the “insurable interest” that you need to have to insure a car that doesn’t belong to you.
How to insure a car you don’t own
The following advice can help you demonstrate your trustworthiness to an insurance company when trying to insure a car that doesn’t belong to you.
Demonstrate need
If your name isn’t on the title, some insurance companies may still let you take out a policy if you can demonstrate that you need to use the car.
To do this, you will need to show that you will drive the car on a regular basis and that it is your only way to get around. Having regular custody of the car might also convince some providers.
Look into the rules
Looking into the rules will give you a better idea of what to expect. Some insurance companies will have hard-and-fast rules about insuring a car you don’t own.
When you know what carriers are likely to turn you down, you can focus on convincing providers with less stringent guidelines instead.
Get it co-titled
One of the easiest ways to get a policy on a car you don’t own is to add your name to the title. Once the car is co-titled, you should have no trouble taking out a policy. Just keep in mind that co-titling might not be possible if the car is still financed.
Be straightforward
When it comes to dealing with insurance carriers, honesty is almost always the best policy (or it will at least help you get the best policy!).
There is no need to make up a story, exaggerate, or hide information. Just explain why you would like to insure the car and provide any relevant information that will help establish your reasons.
Consider other insurance options
Non-owner car insurance admittedly comes with some limitations, but it will provide you basic insurance coverage while driving a car you don’t own.
The downside is that you won’t be able to take out full-coverage options like comprehensive insurance and collision insurance. But it is definitely better than nothing.
Key TakeawayOne of the easiest ways to insure someone else’s car is to get the car co-titled. Have an honest conversation with your insurance company if you are interested in this option.
How to find cheap car insurance coverage fast
If you want to save money on car insurance, the Jerry app is an excellent place to start.
As a licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even cancel your old policy for you.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
Learn more: Taking a name off a car title: a step-by-step guide
FAQ
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Can I insure a car that I don’t own?
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Can a car be in your name but insured by someone else?
Jacoba is an insurance writer with over seven years of experience. Jacoba specializes in insurance and finance, combining her background in sociology with a love of learning and passion for writing to create content in straightforward terms that car enthusiasts and beginners alike can understand. As one of Jerry’s first content contributors, Jacoba has written everything from city guides to advice for bad-credit car loans. Before joining Jerry, Jacoba worked as a freelance content creator with a knack for translating complex, dense material into easily understood and actionable content.
Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who previously lead up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.
