Can you get insurance on a car that has been loaned to you by a friend who is out of the country for 6-8 months?

I would call my agent on that one. First, you realize in the event that you are pulled over you are producing a registration under someone elses name. Secondly, if you are not the owner, you have no financial interest in the car and could not possibly collect from the insurance carrier for damages to that car. You may be able to get some sort of "non-owned auto liability" policy. Call your agent!