Many years ago when i was 18, a friend did the same.
Escort was in his name, insurance was in his dads. he crashed it, took out a lamp post. passenger still has a titanium pin in his leg.
The insurance refused to pay out as the car was in his name and insurance was in his dads.
Would defiantly say that he needs to get the car registered in the name of the the person Insuring it.