Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

Can you insure a car in someone else’s name?

Yes, but only if you're the primary driver of the car. Find out your options.

You can insure a car in someone else's name - as long as you're honest about who will be driving the car. If not, you could end up committing insurance fraud.

Here's what you need to know.

Can you insure a car that isn't registered in your name in Australia?

Yes. Ownership isn't required to buy car insurance.

For example, your mum might lend you her spare car on the condition you insure it. You can get insurance for that car, in your own name, even though your mum is the registered owner.

However, it is extremely important to be honest with your insurance company about who the primary driver is. If you name someone as a primary driver, knowing that they won't actually be the primary driver, you could be committing insurance fraud.

For example, if you own a car but you pay high premiums because you're a new driver, you can't name your mum as the primary driver just because she has more experience and the policy would therefore cost less.

This is illegal. It would likely void your cover, lead to a claim being rejected, and could even land you with a criminal record.

There is a duty not to make a misrepresentation. Saying someone is the regular driver when they are not, in order to obtain a cheaper premium is a breach of this duty. This gives the insurance company the right to void the policy and not pay and claim if fraudulent or if they can prove that, had they known, then they wouldn't have insured the car.

Don Shields

Don Shields
Insurance broker

Insuring a car you own, in someone else's name

If you own a car, whoever is driving it most frequently should be named as the primary driver on the insurance policy.

If you still drive the car regularly you should be named as an additional driver. If you never drive the car, and have no intention of driving it, you might want to remove your name from the policy altogether. In that situation, your car would be insured in someone else's name.
There are plenty of situations where you might have your car insured in someone else's name, including:

- Your adult child moves to another city and you lend them your car while they save for their own
- You go on an extended trip and lend your car to a relative while you're away
- You suffer an injury or illness which prevents you from driving, so lend your car to a friend while you recover

⚠️Warning: If you are trying to insure a car you own in someone else's name, but you know you will be the primary driver, this will likely void your cover and could be deemed insurance fraud.

Buying insurance for a car that someone else owns

You do not need to own a car in order to buy insurance for that car.

As long as you are the genuine primary driver for that vehicle, and you have permission from the owner, you should be able to buy insurance.

There are plenty of situations where you might want insurance for a car somebody else owns, including:

- Your friend moves overseas for a year and lets you use their car while they're away
- Your parents buy a new car and let you use theirs until you save for your own
- Your elderly relative can no longer drive, but you offer to take them to appointments in their own car

Some insurers require the owner of the vehicle to be named as a driver on the insurance policy, but others don't. Be aware, if you buy insurance for a car someone else owns, and you make a claim, the owner of the vehicle will receive the money from the insurer.

⚠️Warning: If anyone asks to use your name you as the primary driver on their car insurance, do not agree to this unless you are genuinely the primary driver. They could be committing insurance fraud and you may be implicated.

Young drivers looking to get on their parent's car insurance policy

Often, young drivers will be named on their parents' car insurance policy because everyone is sharing the family car. However, it's important to consider who the primary driver will be and share that information with the insurer.

If one of the parents will be the primary driver, the young driver can be named as an additional driver. However, if the young driver is going to be the primary driver, they should be listed so.

While this will likely make the policy more expensive, it does mean the young driver can start building their own no-claims bonus.

Expert tips on getting a cheaper car insurance premium

What happens if an unlisted driver has an accident?

Unlisted drivers can be covered in a variety of ways by car insurance.

Depending on the policy, car insurance might:

  1. Cover anyone who drives that car
  2. Cover everyone, but incur an additional excess for unlisted drivers
  3. Cover people within a certain category, for example over 35s
  4. Only cover people specifically named on the policy

Often you’ll be able to choose which of these options you'd prefer. However, some insurers provide a limited range or restricted options.

Important: Always take the time to fully read your product disclosure statement (PDS) and understand exactly how unlisted drivers are covered.

What happens if I get car insurance under my parent’s name, but I'm the main driver?

You're breaching your duty of disclosure to the insurance company. If you have an accident and you're found to be the main driver, your policy could be void and your claim denied.

While you might be saving money in the short term, it's highly risky, illegal behaviour.

If you want cheap cover, there are other ways to lower your insurance premium, including:

Compare your options

1 - 7 of 7
Name Product Roadside assistance Accidental damage Storm Choice of repairer Agreed or market value
Budget Direct Comprehensive
Optional
Optional
Agreed or Market
Finder's summary: The 2023 winner of our Best Value Car Insurance award. It's cheaper than most, plus you can lower costs by adding age restrictions.

⭐ Current offer: 15% off your first year's premium when you take out a policy online. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Anyone who wants a good value policy.
Youi Comprehensive
Optional
Agreed or Market
Finder's summary: The 2023 winner of our Best Features Car Insurance award. Plus, it's one of the only insurers to automatically include roadside assistance.

Who it might be good for: Those who want good customer service with lots of inclusions.
Australia Post Comprehensive
Optional
Agreed or Market
Finder's summary: Covers a little more than other insurers. You don’t need to pay an excess for windscreen repairs and cover applies to anyone who uses your car.

⭐ Current offer: Get $100 off your first year's comprehensive car insurance premium when you buy online. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Multiple people using one car.
Bingle Comprehensive
Market
Finder's summary: Our data shows it’s the cheapest comprehensive policy. It just covers the basics such as damage to your car, theft and storms – it doesn’t go in for add-ons and extras.

Who it might be good for: Those wanting a low-cost, no-frills policy.
QBE Comprehensive
Green Company
QBE Comprehensive
Optional
Agreed or Market
Finder's summary: Our best-rated Car Insurer for Customer Satisfaction in 2021/2022 and Green Insurer for the last 3 years.

⭐ Current offer: Save $75 when you purchase a new comprehensive policy online. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Those who want a trustworthy insurer and more cover than other brands, such as 3-year new car replacement (e.g. they'll give you money for a new car for up to 3 years if yours is written off).
Kogan Comprehensive
Optional
Agreed or Market
Finder's summary: Kogan comes with all the perks that most comprehensive car insurance policies include, but you'll also be entitled to some benefits from its online store. This usually comes in the form of a gift voucher or discount if you buy online.

⭐ Current offer: Get $115 off first year premiums when you purchase Kogan Comprehensive Car Insurance online + $10 monthly kogan.com credit. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: Kogan shoppers and those after a good range of policy options.
Qantas Comprehensive
Optional
Optional
Agreed or Market
Finder's summary: You need car insurance so why not get one that lets you earn Qantas Points? It's good value too (it's underwritten by the same insurer as Budget Direct). .

⭐ Current offer: Earn up to 30,000 Qantas Points with every Qantas Car Insurance policy you take out by 7 February. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: People who want more bang for their buck with Qantas Points.
loading

Why you can trust Finder's car insurance experts

free

We're free

You pay the same as buying directly from the car insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
expert advice

We're experts

Our team of car insurance experts have researched and rated dozens of policies as part of our Finder Awards and published 330+ guides to make it easier for you to compare.
independent

We're independent

Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of car insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
help

We're here to help

Since 2014, we've helped 300,000+ people find car insurance by explaining your cover options, simply and clearly. We'll never ask for your number or email. We're here to help you make a decision.

Get the latest car insurance news

Deadly distractions: Driver behaviour that’s too common on our roads

Deadly distractions: Driver behaviour that’s too common on our roads

Millions of Australian motorists are putting lives at risk by multitasking behind the wheel, according to new research by Finder.

Read more…
Woolworths raises mobile plans by up to 25%, but you could be better off
Mobile Phone Plans

Woolworths raises mobile plans by up to 25%, but you could be better off

Woolworths is following a spate of providers and will lift their rate on Monday. Here is how they compare.

Read more…
Car conundrum: 2 in 5 Australians can’t afford repairs
Compare Car Insurance

Car conundrum: 2 in 5 Australians can’t afford repairs

Australians are struggling to keep up with car maintenance and repairs due to the rising cost of living, according to new research by Finder, Australia's most visited comparison site.

Read more…

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and 6. Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site