UK auto insurance Q

[dmallind]

Salient facts:

I grew up in the UK. My dad still lives there.
I have a very short time left to live and want to spend it with blood family (and hopefully have time to get my US citizen wife the option of living there after I'm gone if she chooses via an immigration application).
The family lives in an area where public transit is very weak.
I have a US not UK driver license.
My initial plan is to buy a car over there and register/insure it in my dad's name then have me drive it as a visitor for the 3-6 months that I likely have left. He does not drive (but has a valid DL) so he can sell it for my wife's benefit after I am gone unless she stays.

What I need to know is does UK insurance allow you to "loan" your car to non-insured drivers at your risk? Essentially does the insurance go with the car or the driver? It's been over 20 yrs since I left and I never owned a car there so no clue.

Anybody who has tried to price car rentals for 3+ months should know why I am asking!

Thanks!

[Hopeless Romantic]

1. Very very sorry to hear about your illness

I think you'll find that insurance policies vary from company to company.

Your best bet might be to ask a family member to talk to an insurance broker in the area where you're going to be staying.

Once again, really sorry to hear about your situation and the very best wishes

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. So sorry about your illness

I think Hopeless Romantic is right - it would be best for someone in Britain to talk to an insurance broker. It should be possible - I have Canadian relatives who have been able to drive family cars when they come over here, but I think it does depend on the policy (for instance, I don't have a car or insurance of my own at the moment, and I've had to be specifically named on my Dad's policy for his car).

[dmallind]

3. Thanks - I dimly recall the "named driver" thing which I think is what I need to avoid

in that IIRC it lists a UK drivers license number which I don't have.

I will get my sister to check with her broker if so. My dad does not have one as he does not drive.

No biggy on illness BTW - I have known for a year or more and long since absorbed and accepted. It's a blood oxygen issue called IPF and I am told I have about 3 mos left, 6 tops once my extremities start turning cyanotic or blue tinged. This is now apparent. Nobody knows though - could be tomorrow or a year really - so far I have been worsening more slowly than expected.