Can you insure a car that is not registered to you in NY?
Asked by: Amira Rutherford | Last update: October 26, 2025Score: 5/5 (27 votes)
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 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 I insure my car if it's not registered?
Most insurance companies will insure your car if it's not registered. However, they will most likely not pay any claims on it if it's not legally registered during the incident. So win win for the insurance company.
Can I add a car to my insurance that is not in my name in NY?
In most cases, you cannot insure a car that is not registered and titled in your name. Instead, you may apply for a co-title, ask the owner to add you to their insurance policy, or purchase non-owner insurance.
Can I Insure a Vehicle Not in My Name?
Can a car be registered to one person and insured by another in NY?
Liability Coverage
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 car insurance be in a different name than the registration?
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.
Do you have to register a car before you insure it?
In some states, you can get a license plate without insurance, but you cannot drive the car until it is insured. However, most states require you to get insurance before registration. In every state except for New Hampshire, you must have a minimum amount of liability insurance to drive your car.
Can my parents insure a car I own?
If you or your spouse owns a vehicle, you can decide to insure the vehicle on your own car insurance policy or on your parents' policy. All drivers that share the same permanent residence should be listed on each policy. If you're married and don't live with your parents, you'll need your own policy.
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 I insure my son's car if he owns it?
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.
How to insure a borrowed car?
To insure a car you don't own, add the owner to your policy, join their policy, or get a non-owner policy. Learn which option is best for you below or compare car insurance quotes with The Zebra's free tool to see affordable options from trusted companies.
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 I insure my daughter's car if she doesn't live with me?
Unfortunately, because the car and your child are not located at your house anymore, they cannot stay on your car insurance policy unless they're a full-time student. Car insurance providers require that the insured live at their residence and park their car at their address to be listed on a policy.
Can I stay on my parents' auto insurance if I move out?
Moving Out
If you're a full-time college student, you can usually stay on your parents' policy as a listed driver. However, if you move out permanently, you'll need your own policy, especially if you take a vehicle with you. Remember, your parents can't insure a car that's not kept at their address.
Does my car insurance have to be where I live?
In general, your car must be registered and insured in the same state, since both vehicle registration and auto insurance are based on your permanent residence. In fact, using an address for insurance that's different from the primary residence where you keep your vehicle is a form of insurance fraud.
Can I insure my daughter's car if it's in her name?
While most states will allow the registration and insurance policies under different names, policyholders must follow the insurance carriers' contract specifications. For example, some insurance providers may require the parent and child to live at the same address.
Can I put insurance on a car that is not in my name in Michigan?
You can insure a car that is not in your own name in Michigan. Michigan's auto No-Fault law requires that a vehicle's owner “maintain” No-Fault auto insurance on the vehicle. But it doesn't require that the policy be personally purchased by the owner. It can be purchased by someone whose name is not on the title.
Is it cheaper to be on your parents car insurance or your own?
Unless your parents have a poor driving record, it is usually cheaper to be listed on their policy than have your own. Maximize savings by avoiding claims, optimizing coverage, capitalizing on discounts, and comparing quotes.
Can someone else insure my car if the title is under my name?
While the person who owns a car is usually the one who insures it, most states will allow policies to be paid by someone other than the owner. However, many will not insure a car if the policyholder and car owner are not the same.
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.
Does my car need to be registered in the same state as my insurance?
Registering a vehicle in one state while holding an insurance policy in another is not permitted for most drivers. This restriction is due to variations in traffic laws and minimum insurance coverage requirements. Attempting to insure a vehicle in a state where you don't live might be insurance fraud.
Can you insure a car that is not registered to you in New Jersey?
Can you insure a vehicle you do not own? Unless you have a financial interest (ownership or part ownership) in the car, the short answer is “no.” For example, when you transfer the title of ownership in a sale of your car to your adult son or daughter, they need to obtain their own auto insurance policy.
Can someone else insure my car in NY?
For example, New York explicitly says that the name on the insurance card has to match the name on the registration. Failure to match can lead to a suspension of your registration, meaning you cannot insure a car you do not own in the state of New York.
Can someone put a car in your name without you knowing?
Yes, it's possible for someone to steal your identity and buy a car in your name.