Can someone else insure my car in NY?

Asked by: Mr. Cesar Bahringer  |  Last update: May 2, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (29 votes)

Your lender may not allow someone else to insure your vehicle unless they're listed as a co-owner or a co-signer. If someone gifts you a car, you should request that they also sign over the car's title.

Can a car be registered and insured in different names in NY?

Your vehicle's insurance and registration must always show the exact same name. If the name on your insurance does not match the name on your registration, DMV may suspend your driver license and vehicle registration.

Can you insure a car you don't own in New York?

Insuring the vehicle

Depending on what state you live in, it may or may not be possible to insure a vehicle that is not yours. For example, in New York, it is required by law that the name on a vehicle's registration and insurance policy match.

Can someone insure a car that is not in their name?

You must prove you have a financial stake in the vehicle. If you can't prove why you have interest in the vehicle in which you are not on the car title, an auto insurance company will be hesitant to insure you. This is due to the risk of fraud and the questionable legality of approving filed claims.

Is it possible to insure a car you don't own?

It can be quite complicated to insure a car that's not in your name. Depending on your situation, you have several options. You can add the car owner to your policy as an additional interest, get added to their policy, transfer the car's registration or get added to it or buy a non-owner policy.

Does Insurance Cover Someone Else Driving Your Car?

39 related questions found

Can my financed car be insured by someone else?

The financing company will have final say over the insurance requirements and may insist that the person who financed the car be the one who holds insurance on it. When you want to insure a vehicle that someone else financed for you, the financing company will want the insurance to be in their name.

Can I add someone to my car insurance that doesn't live with me?

You typically will not be able to add a non-related driver who does not live in your home to your insurance policy. If you and a friend own a vehicle together but do not live at the same address, you may have trouble obtaining an auto insurance policy.

Does the registered owner of a vehicle need to be on the insurance?

Does your car insurance and registration have to be under the same name? Insuring and registering your car under different names is allowed in most states. However, in those states that allow it, insurers still might not underwrite a policy to a name different than that of the registered vehicle owner.

Does it matter whose name is on the car?

Yes, the name on a car title can impact insurance coverage. Insurance companies usually require the policyholder to have an insurable interest in the vehicle, meaning they either own the car or have a significant financial interest in it.

Can my husband drive my car if he is not on my insurance?

Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in NY?

NY Car Insurance Follows the Car

In New York, your car insurance coverage includes coverage for other drivers of your vehicle—following the car rather than the driver.

Can you register a car you don't own?

In general, registering a car that's not in your name isn't allowed as most states require you to show proof of ownership as part of their registration process. However, some states may allow you to register a vehicle that you don't own if you have the owner's approval.

Can you insure a car that is not at your residence?

If you're homeless and in need of car insurance, keep your vehicle at a friend's house and use that address for your quote. It's critical that you park the vehicle at this location when it's not in use.

Can someone else insure my car if the title is under my name NY?

No. If you are on the title, you must insure the vehicle yourself. If your friend is driving for an extended period of time, make sure your insurer knows; and you may have to add them as a driver on your policy.

What is the new law in NY about car insurance?

New Law: Auto Policies To Include Supplemental Spousal Liability Coverage. UPDATE: On March 24, 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that made two changes to this law: The effective date is pushed back to August 1, 2023.

Does it matter whose name is on the car insurance card?

In most states, police will accept an auto insurance card that lists the car you're driving on it, and it doesn't matter if your name is specifically on the card (some states even accept electronic proof of auto insurance); however, Texas is different.

Can someone else register my car for me in NY?

Either the registrant or the owner can bring the registration and title application to a local DMV office. The person who applies must show the original proofs of identity and date of birth for both the registrant and the owner.

Does it matter whose name is on an insurance policy?

Insurance Credit Scoring

As you may or may not know, credit makes a huge difference for many insurance company's when determining rates for policies like your auto and home insurance. In many instances, the insurance company will only run an insurance score based on credit on the name who is listed first on the policy.

Can my car be in someone else's name?

If you sign the title over to someone else, they will own the car and can register the car in their name. At that point, they will need to start insurance in their own name and can add you as a driver.

Can car insurance be in someone else's name?

If a family member or friend who lives with you is the primary driver of your vehicle, they may purchase a car insurance policy in their name rather than yours. You'll need to insure your family member or friend if they drive your vehicle regularly.

Can you insure a car that is not registered to you in NY?

You cannot typically obtain insurance for a vehicle not registered in your name, but there are ways to ensure you're still covered behind the wheel. Whether you're driving a friend or family member's car or have been gifted a vehicle under another person's ownership, it's the legal owner's responsibility to insure it.

Can a friend borrow my car and be insured?

Car insurance coverage follows the vehicle, not the driver. When you allow a friend, family member, or babysitter to borrow your vehicle, they also borrow your car insurance. Your insurance becomes the primary coverage when lending the car to family members or friends.

Do all household members need to be on car insurance in NY?

In general, everyone that is 14 years and older who resides within your household should be listed on your policy, regardless of whether or not they have a driver's license. Any other regular operators of vehicles, including children away from home or in college (licensed or not), should be listed as well.

Can someone who doesn't live with me drive my car?

Even if they don't live with you, they should be added to your policy if they regularly drive your vehicle. A driver who lives in your household and isn't listed on your auto policy may be denied coverage if they borrow your vehicle and are involved in an accident.

Do you have to live at the same address to share car insurance?

What if they don't live with me? If you and your friend don't currently share an address, then they won't be able to be on your car insurance policy — even if they're planning to move in at a later date.