Car Ownership/insurance

[Mr-H]

Not sure that this is the right area, but here goes. My brother-in-law owns a car, registered in his name - both he and I are named drivers on the insurance which is paid by him. He has recently has had a stroke and has had to give up driving; his licence has been stopped by DVLA. Fine with that, but my question is, as the owner of the car, can he insure it in my name only? Surely he can no longer insure it in his name because he is no longer a driver. Is it legal for me to drive under his insurance with him being the registered owner although not having his name on the insurance documents?

[tonyav]

If I were you I'd take out the insurance in your name.

[decmangan]

Register it in your name ASAP!

[woofgang]

Talk to the insurance company.

[shoota]

I don't think any motoring offences are being committed but you may be driving against the terms of the insurance - depending on what your policy says.
For the insurance to be valid the car normally has to be registered to the 'lead' driver whether or not he is the legal owner.
I'm sure the insurance company will advise you of what you need to do.

[Arrods]

Mr-H - Are you saying that your b-I-l is the policyholder? You certainly don't have to be a driver to be a policyholder. If your b-i-l is the owner, he'll have an insurable interest in the vehicle and, for example, will expect to be paid out if the vehicle is stolen, even if he's not allowed to drive it. (Think of situations where drivers (as policyholders) have a temporary ban on driving.). As Woofgang says, however, the best thing is to talk to the insurer. You'll also have to decide who is the actual 'keeper' of the vehicle, to satisfy DVLA.