How much time do you have to get car insurance after buying a car?

by hirby

You will need the insurance on the car before you can drive it home. The only exception is if the dealer will allow you to keep the dealer tags and plate and allow you to remain covered under their policy until you get insurance. Most dealerships will not allow this option because their insurance rates could be effected if you would have a loss with their plate and tags on it.

No coverage would extend from your moms policy for a newly acquired car, UNLESS the car is in her name. That is the only time coverage would extend for a newly acquired vehicle, and typically it is only 5 days for comp and collision (if the car is in your mom’s name) and 14 days for liability.

The answer that I am providing is for PA.

When you take delivery (possession) of your vehicle auto insurance should be in place. Shop around for good rates prior to delivery so you’re not under any undue pressure when you take delivery. Once you have settled on an insurance company all you will need to do is have the policy bound (take effect) when you’re ready to take delivery of the vehicle. Good Luck.

the only exceptions are on trade plates or being towed and insurance cover must be provided by the towing vehicle.if your car is not on any land covered as a public highway then insurance will not be needed,but its your risk incase of any incident like idiots letting your handbrake off then you will be screwed for no ins if it causes personal injury or damage to any property or other vehicle.

You need to have insurance on the car when you sign the papers and drive off the lot.

When you are just "test driving", the dealer’s insurance will protect you.

Be careful - we’re seeing dealers tell buyers "You have thirty days of free insurance!" and that might be true in SOME States where you have thirty days coverage for newly acquired vehicles …IF……you have an EXISTING insurance policy and you are SUBSTITUTING vehicles for "like coverage."

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