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Can you insure a car you don't own?

Find out more about temporary car insurance options and what you need to insure a vehicle you don’t own.

Published: 17 Jul 2024 Last updated: 12 May 2026 3 mins read

Key points

You can insure a car you do not own, but you need to tell your insurer that you are not the owner or registered keeper and they will let you know if they can insure the vehicle. This is sometimes referred to as non‑owner car insurance.
The registered keeper is the person who uses or keeps the car, which is not always the same as the owner. They are responsible for the vehicle in the eyes of the police or DVLA, even if they did not pay for it.
There are several ways to insure a car owned by someone else, including temporary car insurance or being added as a named driver. The right option can depend on how often you use the vehicle and how long you need cover for.
Temporary car insurance can provide cover from as little as one hour up to 30 days. It can start immediately or be arranged in advance, depending on your needs.

What is meant by "registered keeper" of a car?

The registered keeper of a car is the person who is using or keeping the car, so this isn’t necessarily the owner or the person paying for the car.

A registered keeper is responsible in the eyes of the police or DVLA, but the person who paid for it or gave the vehicle as a gift is the owner.

Can I insure a car if I'm not the registered owner?

Yes, you can! But you’ll need to let your car insurance provider know that you’re not the owner or the registered keeper and they will let you know if they can insure the vehicle. This is usually referred to as non-owner car insurance.

There are plenty of reasons you might want to insure yourself on someone else’s vehicle. Your car might be owned by your spouse or partner, but you’re the main driver. Or you might be using your parent’s car while you’re learning to drive.

Can I be the registered keeper of a vehicle and not own it?

Yes! Using a car doesn’t mean you own it. For example, if you have a lease agreement, you may be the registered keeper of the vehicle, but you don’t actually own it.

How does car insurance work for a car that is owned by someone else?

If you want to insure a car that is owned by someone else, there are a few different options:

You can get temporary car insurance.
You can be added as a named driver.
You can consider non-owner car insurance.

Temporary car insurance

If you want to get insured on a car you don’t own, temporary car insurance might be the way to go, subject to eligibility. Temporary car insurance can give you cover for as little as 1 hour all the way up to 30 full days.