Car registered and insured in two states.

December 3, 2014 5:55 PM

I have a car with a loan I am currently paying that is titled, registered, and insured in Ohio (I am an Ohio resident). I would like to give this car to my grandfather and continue to pay on it, but he is a resident of Michigan. Can I register and insure the car in both states so that he can drive it legally in Michigan?
posted by m3thod4 to Travel & Transportation around Michigan (4 answers total)

Secretary of State is probably your best bet for this question.
posted by Etrigan at 6:13 PM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

This is a plain bad idea. If your grandfather gets into an accident, an aggrieved party could come after you as owner of the car.

You'd be better off to figure out a way to get the title into his name only, or just sell the car and using the proceeds to pay for another car for him to use.
posted by herrtodd at 6:35 PM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

I don't think it's that complicated - this is basically what happens when a college student goes to an out-of-state school and takes his parents' car with him. Talk to a (live, human) insurance agent whose company can write policies in both Michigan and Ohio and see what they suggest. I'm going to guess they'll want you to register and insure the car in the state where it is garaged (I don't think you can register it in both states) and have both you and your grandfather as authorized drivers on the insurance policy. If you're concerned about being sued if your grandfather gets in an accident, up the amount of your liability insurance.
posted by mskyle at 5:53 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I got a hold of somebody at the Michigan Secretary of State who told me the car will remain titled in Ohio, in my name, and I continue to pay on the loan. The car has to be insured and registered in Michigan, thus cancelling the Ohio registration. If I do all of that it should be all legal and on the up and up. Of course I'll need to make sure I have enough coverage but otherwise it sounds like this will work.

Thanks for the input!
posted by m3thod4 at 6:28 AM on December 4, 2014