How to insure a car you don’t own

The good news is, in the UK, you absolutely can insure a vehicle you don't own. However, it’s important to be upfront with the insurer. You must inform them that you’re neither the registered keeper nor the legal owner of the vehicle, and that you may need to rely on your own insurance policy . 

The registered keeper is the person named on the registration certificate; the owner is usually the person who bought it. Often this is the same person but occasionally it isn't.

Regardless, insurers need clarity about your relationship to the vehicle. It’s also worth bearing in mind that providing incorrect information could be considered insurance fraud, so always be transparent.

Not all insurance providers offer policies for non-owners, but many do under specific circumstances. These conditions may include:

• The car belongs to a family member, partner, employer, or leasing company
• You have regular permission to drive the vehicle
• You can prove insurable interest

Some car insurance companies may only insure you as the main driver if you're also the registered keeper or with your own car insurance, so it’s worth shopping around to find the most flexible options.

But fear not, there are a handful of other ways you can get insured on a car you don't own, including exploring temporary insurance options.

If you want to drive a vehicle you don’t own, here are your best options:

1. Add yourself as a named driver:

Adding yourself as a named driver to the owner's existing policy is a great way to use a vehicle you don't own. If you’ll be driving the vehicle regularly, the easiest and often most affordable way is to be added to the owner's policy as a named driver.

This is a common solution for families, couples, and housemates. It's especially helpful for young drivers who may not yet own a car. If the car is owned by someone else, this method provides coverage without taking out a separate policy. Visit our guide on named driver insurance for full details.

2. Buy short-term car insurance: 

Short-term car insurance or temporary car insurance can cover you from 1 to 28 days, or even up to three months. This is ideal if you’re borrowing a friend's car for a trip, test driving, or using it temporarily.

It offers separate cover from the car's main policyholder and is ideal if you're not automatically covered under someone else's policy.

3. Take out your own policy on the vehicle: 

You can take out your own policy on someone else's car, but this option is usually more expensive. Inform the insurer clearly that you're not the registered keeper or owner.

Be mindful that insurance fraud can occur if incorrect details are given, and claims could be denied. In this setup, the person listed on the policy must always reflect the accurate user.

4. Check if your comprehensive policy covers other cars: 

Some fully comprehensive car insurance policies include a feature called "Driving Other Cars" (DOC). This typically provides third-party cover when you’re driving someone else’s vehicle, however, it's important to check the fine print. Not all policies include this anymore, and not all drivers are automatically covered.

Non-owner car insurance works the same way as standard insurance, except you must inform the insurer you're not the registered keeper or owner. It may be:

• A standalone policy for occasional drivers
• A temporary or short-term policy
• A named driver setup

Other than that, the terms and conditions of your policy will be determined by how you're insured, whether that's as a named driver, through temporary car insurance or under your own comprehensive policy.

On the whole, you'll pay more in premiums for a vehicle you don't own than one you do. This is because insurers – rightly or wrongly – may view you as a higher risk if you’re not the legal owner. There’s a belief that drivers may be less cautious or more likely to claim if they don’t own the vehicle. However, there are cost-effective options:

• Named driver status is usually cheaper than taking out your own policy
• Short-term car insurance is cost-effective if you only need insurance temporarily
• Adding yourself to someone else's insurance policy is often less costly than purchasing a separate policy

Also note that your claims history and any penalty points on your licence may impact your premium price, especially if you are not the owner or registered keeper, and could lead to being caught driving without proper insurance .