Isn’t there another option, ie to insure the car in a parent’s name?

You need to tread very carefully here. If you state that another person (eg. a parent or older relative) is the registered keeper and/or the main user of the vehicle when that is not in fact the case, then you could be guilty of Fronting. Insurance company claims departments are very switched on to the risk of Fronting and will investigate claims involving young drivers very closely to ensure it is not taking place. If they do find you to be guilty of Fronting then you some or all of any claim that you make could be declined, and you may have difficulty in securing any further insurance cover for your vehicle.