Do you need proof of insurance to buy a car with cash?

If you’re buying a new car from a dealership and paying in cash, you still need proof of insurance. You are required to buy the minimum amount of insurance required by state law regardless of your payment method.

What if I don’t buy insurance before buying a car?

If you already have insurance for another car, your insurance company may have a grace period that allows you to wait a few days before telling your insurance agent about the new vehicle. But if you don’t have insurance at all, you may need to leave the car on the lot after buying it and come back to drive it home once you have the limits required to legally be on the road. It’s generally simpler to buy an auto insurance policy before purchasing the vehicle.

Do you need more coverage for a loaned or leased vehicle?

Yes. If you’re financing your vehicle, you will most likely need more than a basic car insurance policy. You will probably have to purchase comprehensive and collision insurance, as well as the minimum liability insurance that your state requires. It might also be a good idea to purchase gap insurance if you have a car loan.

Do You Need Proof Of Insurance To Buy A Car? (2023)

Buying a new car is exciting. But before you head to the dealership, you might be asking: “Do you need proof of insurance to buy a car?”

The answer is yes, you do need proof of insurance to buy a car. You can purchase a new policy specifically for the vehicle before you pay for it, so you can drive it off the lot. Or, you can buy the policy later.

In this article, we’ll walk through the options. Then, we’ll recommend a couple of top providers that could be a good fit for insurance. Each of the insurers made our list of the best car insurance companies in the nation, so you can rest easy knowing your new car has great coverage.

When you’re ready to compare car insurance quotes, enter your zipcode below or give us a call at (844) 246-8209 for an easier process.

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Do You Need Proof Of Insurance To Buy A Car?

Yes. In most cases, even if you don’t have a specific vehicle in mind, you do need proof of insurance to buy a car. Take a look at your car insurance options before you start shopping for cars so your policy can start the same day you drive home from the dealership.

Do You Need Insurance To Buy A Used Car?

Whether your car is new or used, you’ll need to provide proof of insurance to the dealership before legally being able to drive it home. If you’re buying a car from a private seller, most won’t ask to see your car insurance details, but you will still need insurance on that car to legally drive it.

Do You Need Proof Of Insurance For A Trade-In?

If you are trading in your car, you typically have 30 days to inform your auto insurance company of the changes to your policy. But we recommend telling your provider as soon as possible.

This is because the type of car you drive can affect your auto insurance rates. The more safety equipment that comes on your car – like anti-theft technology, anti-lock brakes, airbags, and passive restraints – can save you money on your car insurance. Plus, some cars are more expensive to insure than others.

Can You Drive Uninsured If You Just Bought A Car?

No, you can’t drive without proof of insurance in most states. Almost every state requires motorists to carry some car insurance liability limits. New Hampshire only requires motorists to prove that they are financially responsible to pay for damages and injuries caused in an at-fault accident.

If you don’t buy insurance before you purchase your vehicle from a dealer, you probably won’t be driving off the lot that day.

Buying A New Car When You Already Have Insurance

If you already have an existing car insurance policy, you might be wondering if you need proof of insurance to buy a car on top of the coverage you already have. It depends. If you are buying a brand new car to add onto your existing policy, your policy might include a grace period that gives you temporary coverage for a week, sometimes more.

During that grace period, it’s expected that you tell your car insurance company about the new car so a representative can officially add it to your policy without you experiencing a lapse in coverage. In some cases, if you already have a car insurance policy, the liability limits you have on that policy will temporarily extend to the new car that you are driving.

Even if you’re buying a new car to take the place of an older one, you must tell your car insurance company about the switch during this grace period. You can’t just make the switch yourself, because then you will be driving around in an uninsured vehicle – which is illegal and can carry serious legal penalties.

Buying A New Car When You Don’t Have Auto Insurance

Buying car insurance before buying a car is the right idea if you want to take your car home the same day that you buy it, but sometimes it isn’t that simple.

If you don’t already have auto insurance, you’ll want to try and set up a policy before you head to the sale. This can be complicated because you need to tell the insurance company about the make, model, and year of the car, as well as the vehicle identification number (VIN).

While you’re doing this, you should call the car dealership or seller to confirm your intent to buy the car. Ask them to give you the necessary vehicle information for the car you want to buy prior to purchasing, so you can get insurance for that vehicle. In addition to the details mentioned above, you’ll want to ask for the current mileage on the odometer and the vehicle’s history report, if available.

Once you have all of that in order, it’s time to buy your car insurance policy so you can show proof of insurance. We’ve broken this process down into a few steps that will make buying auto insurance before buying a car easier:

First, you should consider a variety of car insurance providers available in your area. We always recommend that drivers get quotes from multiple providers to compare coverage, rates, and other important factors. To do so, you’ll want to have information on hands such as your driver’s license number and social security number.
Then, enter the vehicle information that you gathered from the dealership and decide on the level of coverage that you need. Comprehensive insurance policies offer more coverage, but rates for this kind of insurance will be higher than a policy that just meets the state’s basic car insurance requirements.
Finally, you can set your car insurance policy to start on the day you plan to pick up your new vehicle and pay for your policy online.

How Soon After Purchasing A Car Do You Need Insurance?

Generally, you should consider buying car insurance before purchasing a new vehicle if you don’t already have a policy. If you do have a policy and just want to add the new car to your insurance, you have usually had a 7-to-30-day grace period to tell your insurance company about the vehicle. This also goes for buying a used car.

If you decide to wait to purchase insurance after you buy your new ride, you will not be able to take possession of the vehicle and drive the car off the lot. In most states, it is illegal to drive without car insurance so remember to secure your policy to enjoy the new car the day you purchase it.

Our Insurance Recommendations When Buying A Car

When you’re shopping for car insurance, it’s smart to get quotes from multiple providers and compare coverage to be sure you’re paying the best rates. In our research, two car insurance companies that we’ve found to have affordable coverage and great customer service are Progressive and Geico. If you’re having trouble choosing between these two providers, check out our review that compares Geico vs Progressive.

When you’re ready to shop for car insurance so that you can ultimately show proof of insurance on your new car, we can help you get started. Follow the link below to get insurance quotes. Or call (844) 246-8209 for free, personalized quotes seven days a week.

Progressive: Best for High-Risk Drivers

We named Progressive the best option for high-risk drivers. The insurer keeps a competitive edge with technology like the Name Your Price^® tool and an auto insurance comparison tool. Using the Name Your Price tool, you select the price you want to pay for car insurance first, then you are matched with Progressive policies that fit your budget. Progressive has standard car insurance as well as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, custom parts and equipment value, and more.

Geico: Best Discount Availability

Geico is the second largest in the nation for a reason. The company is known for its wide array of discounts that complement its already low rates for car insurance. You can get extra types of coverage like mechanical breakdown insurance with Geico, and discount opportunities include a military discount, good student discount, and discounts for members of certain professional organizations and alumni associations.

Proof Of Insurance When Buying A Car: FAQ

Methodology

In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.

Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.