Can you insure a car titled to someone else?

Answer 1

All property insurance coverage (auto, home, etc.) require "insurable interest" as one of the essential conditions for issuing a policy. Insurable interest simply means that you legally have some degree (1%-100%) of legal ownership of the property you wish to insure. A car titled in another person's name does not constitute insurance interest because in the eyes of the law, you don't own it!

The exception to that rule is if a car is titled your spouse, you automatically have insurable interest by virtue of marriage. A spouse is always automatically covered even if you fail to name them anywhere on the policy. The exception to the automatic spouse coverage is if the insurance company determines that you were being intentionally deceptive by not naming them. For example, not mentioning that you are married and hubby has two DUIs and a few tickets and wrecks. It's always better to name both spouses on ALL insurance policies to prevent any delays or questions when you file a claim in the future!

Many insurance companies will issue a policy to you for a car that isn't titled in your name under the assumption that by requesting coverage and paying for it, you have insurable interest. BUT if you file a claim at any time in the future, they can and will verify whether it is titled in your name or not. If not, they have the legal right to automatically deny the claim! Some states require them to refund you the premiums you paid minus a $50-$100 fee if they flat-decline the claim on that basis and others don't. Regardless, you are left with a damaged or totaled car and no one to pay for it!

A potential 'work-around' to the insurable interest requirement in some states is to purchase a DOC (Drive Other Cars) policy. DOC follows you to any vehicle that you drive, but pays after the vehicle's own coverage. If the vehicle has no coverage, DOC would then pay as primary. But it can be tricky and it's a little different in each state. Most DOC policies cover you driving cars that are NOT regularly parked at your address and available for your long-term use (because you cars parked at your house that you can use anytime should have their own coverage). DOC covers situations such as a loaner from a dealership, driving a buddy's truck to move some stuff for the day, etc.