Generally, no, you cannot typically insure a car and register it under a different name. The name on the insurance policy and the vehicle registration must match. This is because insurance companies require you to have an "insurable interest" in the vehicle, meaning you would suffer a financial loss if it were damaged or destroyed. The person whose name is on the title and registration is the legal owner and has the primary insurable interest.
There are, however, specific exceptions, primarily involving family members. In most states, you can register a car in your name while a spouse or adult child living in the same household is the primary driver and listed on the insurance policy. The key is that the owner (you) must still be listed on the insurance policy. Attempting to insure a car you don't own, or registering a car owned by someone who isn't insuring it, is a practice known as "fronting" and is considered insurance fraud. This can lead to denied claims, policy cancellation, and even legal penalties.
If you are co-owning a vehicle with someone, the best practice is to have both names on the title and registration, and then both listed as drivers on the insurance policy. For non-owners simply borrowing a car, the owner's insurance is usually the primary coverage, but it's crucial to check with the insurer about permissive use rules. The rules vary significantly by state and insurer, so always disclose the exact ownership and primary driver situation to your insurance agent to ensure you are properly covered.
