can car insurance be in someone else name

[McMax]

Yes, car insurance can be in someone else's name, but it is not a simple or universally recommended practice. The key rule is that the person named on the policy (the "policyholder") must be the one who has a financial stake in the vehicle, typically the registered owner. The most common and straightforward scenario is a parent insuring a car for their child who lives with them. However, if you are the primary driver but the policy is in another person's name who does not live with you, insurers may view this as "fronting," which is considered fraud and can lead to denied claims or policy cancellation.

The core concept insurers use is "insurable interest." This means the policyholder would suffer a financial loss if the car were damaged or stolen. A registered owner always has an insurable interest. A lienholder (like a bank with a loan on the car) also has an insurable interest.

Here are common legitimate scenarios where the policyholder and primary driver differ:

Scenario	Policyholder	Primary Driver	Is it Typically Allowed?	Key Consideration
Teen Driver	Parent	Child living at home	Yes, very common	The child must be listed as a driver on the policy.
Spouses/Partners	One spouse	The other spouse	Yes, standard	The vehicle is usually marital property.
Company Car	Employer	Employee	Yes	The employer owns the car and provides insurance.
Lending Your Car	Owner	Friend/Family (occasional use)	Yes	The owner's policy is usually primary for infrequent use.
Non-Resident Owner	Person not in household	Person in a different household	Rarely, high risk	This often raises red flags for "fronting" and may be denied.

The critical step is to be completely transparent with the insurance company. You must accurately list all regular drivers of the vehicle. Misrepresenting who the main driver is to get a lower premium is risky. If discovered, the insurer can deny a claim entirely, leaving you personally liable for all damages, which could amount to tens of thousands of dollars. It's always safest to have the policy in the name of the primary driver and registered owner.

[Nadine]

From my experience helping friends sort out their policies, it's totally possible but can get messy. Think about it like a parent putting a kid on their plan—that’s normal. But if you try to have your buddy who lives across town insure your car because he has a cleaner record, that’s asking for trouble. The insurance company will want to know who really drives the car most. If you aren’t honest and you get into an accident, they might not pay a dime. Always be upfront to avoid a nightmare later.

[LeCorey]

Legally, the named insured on a policy should be the vehicle's registered owner. This establishes a clear "insurable interest." While you can add other drivers, placing the entire policy in the name of someone with no ownership stake is problematic. For instance, a son can be added to his father's policy, but the policy should remain in the father's name if he owns the car. The primary concern is material misrepresentation, which voids coverage. Accuracy in declaring the principal driver is not a suggestion; it's a contractual requirement.