Will GEICO Insure a Car That’s Not in My Name?
Last Updated on September 18, 2023
In some situations, you may need to insure a car that’s not in your name. Fortunately, GEICO can help.
Yes, GEICO will insure a vehicle that is not in your name, assuming you meet certain requirements.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about whether or not GEICO will insure a car that’s not in your name.
Table of Contents:
- Yes, GEICO Will Insure a Vehicle That’s Not in Your Name
- New York Requires Your Vehicle Title to Match Your Car Insurance
- How to Prove Insurable Interest
- What Happens If I Can’t Prove Insurable Interest?
- Other Things to Know About Insuring a Vehicle Not In Your Name with GEICO
Yes, GEICO Will Insure a Vehicle That’s Not in Your Name
GEICO and most other major insurers will insure vehicles that are not in your name, assuming you have an insurable interest in the vehicle.
To prove you have an insurable interest in a vehicle, you must demonstrate you would experience direct financial loss if the car were lost, damaged, or destroyed.
Let’s say you drive to work regularly in your spouse’s vehicle. The vehicle is not in your name, but you want to insure it under your policy. In this situation, GEICO should allow you to insure a car that’s not in your name.
New York Requires Your Vehicle Title to Match Your Car Insurance
Generally, GEICO and other insurers allow you to insure a car that’s not in your name. However, GEICO will not allow this in New York.
Because of New York state insurance law, GEICO and other insurers cannot provide insurance to vehicles that are registered in someone else’s name. The name on the car insurance policy must match the name on the vehicle registration.
How to Prove Insurable Interest
To buy car insurance for a vehicle that’s not in your name, you need to demonstrate insurable interest in that vehicle.
Generally, that means you would suffer direct financial loss if the vehicle were lost, damaged, or destroyed.
You cannot insure a friend’s vehicle because you think they’ll crash their car, for example, and you’re hoping for a big payout. Instead, you need to prove a close connection to the vehicle.
Generally, it’s easier to prove insurable interest if the car is owned by a spouse, a family member, or a relative.
Some of the ways to prove insurable interest include:
- You commute to work daily in the vehicle
- If the vehicle were destroyed, you would lose your job or suffer other financial hardship
- Your spouse or close relative owns the vehicle
GEICO can analyze your situation to determine if you have insurable interest in the vehicle – and what documentation you may need to prove insurable interest.
What Happens If I Can’t Prove Insurable Interest?
If you cannot prove you have insurable interest in a vehicle, then you need to add yourself to the vehicle registration. Once your name appears on the vehicle registration, GEICO should allow you to buy insurance for that vehicle.
Alternatively, you can buy a non-owner car insurance policy, which can protect you against liability claims. A non-owner car insurance policy allows you to access liability insurance regardless of whether or not you own a vehicle. GEICO, and most other insurers, sell non-owners policies.
Option #1: Add Yourself to the Vehicle Registration: You can add yourself to the vehicle registration. Then, you can insure a car that’s not in your name with GEICO just like you would insure any other vehicle.
Option #2: Buy a Non-Owner Car Insurance Policy: If you do not own a vehicle but want liability coverage, then consider a non-owner car insurance policy. Non-owner car insurance policies are popular with those who occasionally rent vehicles, borrow friends’ cars, or use car sharing services. Non-owner car insurance policies can help you remain covered – and carry legally-required insurance – while driving a vehicle you do not own. If you can’t prove insurable interest, then a non-owner car insurance policy may be the right choice.
Other Things to Know About Insuring a Vehicle Not In Your Name with GEICO
Other things you need to know before insuring a vehicle that’s not in your name with GEICO include:
The Owner is Liable for Accidents: In most states, the owner of the vehicle is liable if someone gets into an accident while driving the vehicle. As long as the owner has insurance, that insurance follows the vehicle. Anyone who has permission to drive the vehicle should be covered.
You May Not Need Extra Insurance: If the owner of the vehicle has insurance, and you have permission to drive the vehicle, then you may already be covered. You may not need to buy extra insurance from GEICO for a vehicle that’s not in your name.
Non-Owner Car Insurance is Ideal for Some Drivers, But Not Others: If you do not own a vehicle but want liability coverage, then buy non-owner car insurance through GEICO. However, if you do own a vehicle, or if you drive a specific vehicle regularly, then non-owner car insurance may not be the right choice.
Rules Vary By Insurer: GEICO allows drivers to insure a car that’s not in your name. However, other insurers may not allow it. Contact GEICO or another insurer to verify your situation.
Licensed Drivers in the Same Household Should Be Listed on the Same Insurance Policy: Generally, insurers require you to list all licensed drivers in your household on your insurance policy – regardless of whether you’re roommates, family, or married. If you’re buying car insurance for a vehicle owned by someone in your household, then you may already be listed on the policy.
Final Word – Insuring a Car Not in Your Name With GEICO
GEICO will insure a vehicle that’s not in your name – but only if you can prove you have insurable interest in that vehicle.
To have an insurable interest in a vehicle, you must prove you would suffer a direct financial loss if that vehicle were lost, stolen, or damaged.
This rule does not apply to drivers in New York: New York requires the name on the registration to match the name on the car insurance.
If you’re unable to prove insurable interest, then you need to add yourself to the car insurance registration or buy a non-owner car insurance policy to remain covered.
