Overhaulin'

When should i buy car insurance?

I am going to buy a car on Tuesday. Is there a grace period during which i can drive the car without insurance until i get it, like 5 business days or something like that, or do i need insurance before i buy the car?? This is my first vehicle so i dont have an existing policy i can add this too.

Public Comments

1. Buy your car insurance the same day that you buy your car, or the next business day.
2. You can not drive without insurance. It is against the law. As soon as you have coverage, you are legal. But you probably won't have proof of it though. Most insurance companies allow you to print out a temporary proof card online.
3. You should get it the same day -just in case. I worked for GM and I heard of a guy who bought a corvette and was going to wait to get his insurance but he had an accident on the way home. So be careful! If you are financing the car you are definitely required to have insurance as soon as you signed on the dotted line and know the VIN number.
4. Unless you can provide proof of financial responsibility of a certain amount in your state, upwards of $50K in TX, you are required by law to provide insurance. And, if you are buying a car from a dealership, you need it to help protect you from financial problems should you wreck the car. You might have a day to get it, I'm not sure, but most dealers won't even let you test drive without proof of existing insurance. Good luck!
5. If you know what car you are buying i would arrange with an insurance company whats called a binder so that when you drive the car off the sales lot you are covered in case there is a problem especially if its a financed car , i sold cars for many years and i have seen people drive them off and have an accident going home,if you are financing a car and you have an accident you will still be making payments on something you may not able to drive.Its always best to be safe than sorry.Good Luck
6. No grace period. It is advisable to get insurance as soon as possible. You can ask the dealer to start the insurance process the same day you are purchasing the car, right there in the dealership. Or, you could just contact the car insurance agent you have already dealt with in the past, and ask if they will cover you. They will require the information on the car you wish to buy, and confirmation from you. They also may want to speak with the dealer rep. for all the proper info required, then you are all set to go.
7. START LOOKING AT PRICING NOW AND GET YOUR INSURANCE BEFORE YOU PICKUP YOUR VEHICLE.
8. If you hit me with no insurance, I will sue you for everything you own and put a lien against you.
9. Nope, there's no grace period. If you're borrowing money to buy the car, the dealer won't let you take it off the lot without insurance. You can't get tags without insurance. Today is Monday. Go today, and buy your policy from a local agent. Bring the vin of the car with you; you'll need it.