Can you insure a car that's not registered yet?

[Pulse]

Weird title, I know… Let me explain…
 
We want to get a lease car from my partner’s work, but it won’t be delivered until mid-March, and we need a car right now. Can you legally insure a car that isn’t quite with you yet (which in turn would give me DOC cover), in order to be able to drive someone else’s car in the interim? Or can this not work because the car has to be registered? (Which it wouldn’t be until mid-March when it arrives) - This assumes we get a number plate assigned to it soon.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Have you rang an Insurance company to ask?

[john_p]

Some insurers will insure on a VIN (eg for cars being imported to the UK, while the SVA etc is arranged). Maybe they will insure your new car on this basis?

Not sure if you would get DOC on this though

[oldcynic]

Wouldn't it be much simpler to be added to the insurance for the relevant car?

Generally DOC would only be 3rd party cover anyway, so unless it's a very cheap banger you could be in for a nasty bill if you did have an accident.

[Pulse]

I don't think many insurers will let you be added to someone elses policy for just a month without extortionate charges.

[illmonkey]

Can't you take the policy out on the temporary car then change the policy? You'll still get a NCB year.

[wolves_wanderer]

A friend of mine insured a new bike on the chassis number and then sent the insurance company copies of the registration documents when they came through, I think this is only a short-term option though.