How many days after purchase do you have to get auto insurance?
If you already have auto insurance on another car, you probably have some wiggle room as far as getting coverage on a new car. However, it's best to know if you'll have a grace period if you've just purchased a new vehicle.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
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UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If you already have auto insurance, you will have seven to 30 days to add your new car to your existing policy
- The new car will be covered by your existing policy for a maximum of 30 days
- If you are replacing your car, your existing policy will cover your new car for the duration of the policy
Getting auto insurance is extremely important for your financial health, as well as a legal requirement in most states. How many days do you have to get insurance for your new car? Should you buy it before getting the new car or afterward? If you have another car, do you simply add the new car to your existing policy or will it be automatically covered? Read on to learn more.
How many days do you have to insure a new car?
Depending on the state you reside in and your insurance company’s rules, you will have a grace period of seven to 30 days to inform your insurance provider of your new car purchase. It acts the same way as a grace period for car insurance payments, meaning there are factors that will decide the amount of time and if it’s even a possibility.
If you are purchasing a new car from a dealership, you will need proof of insurance to drive the car out of their lot. You will not get possession of your car if you do not have insurance.
If you are buying your first car, you can purchase a policy from the dealership. If you already have insurance on another car, you can simply show your insurance card and drive the car home. From there — and depending upon where you live — you will have between seven to 30 days to add your new car to your existing policy.
If you fail to notify your insurer in the given window, your car will not have coverage.
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Will a new car be covered by the current policy?
Your new car will be covered by your existing policy for a maximum of 30 days. The exact duration will depend on the state you live in and the insurance company. However, it is important to note that this is not free coverage.
If you don’t report the purchase to your insurance company, you will not have been covered that whole time, and any claim that happens during that time can be denied. Coverage will be backdated and you will be charged from the date you bought the car, so waiting gains you nothing.
You will have a window of seven to 30 days to insure your new car on its own policy.
Trading Your Car
When you trade your old car for a new one, your new car will have the exact same amount of coverage as the existing policy.
If you trade in a car, you can simply replace the old one with the new one on your policy. However, if you fail to report the replacement vehicle, the insurance company will not necessarily cover any claims. Failing to provide this updated information can be considered fraud, as you were potentially not paying the correct rate for that new car’s coverage.
How to Get Auto Insurance Quickly
If you don’t have insurance, you must buy it before you can drive the new car. Research is a must here. If you buy insurance at the dealership, you may end up paying more for it. To get the best price on auto insurance, decide on a car make and model and then compare quotes from multiple insurers. Finding cheap auto insurance quotes can easily be done online nowadays. You can then decide on a company that is offering the best price.
These are the documents you will need:
- Drivers’ names and birthdays
- Address for the drivers (only drivers living at the same address can be on the same policy)
- Drivers’ license and Social Security numbers
If you have done your research and keep these documents ready, you can get the car insurance policy on the same day.
We’ve compiled a list in the table below of each state’s minimum liability coverage requirements, in partnership with the Insurance Information Institute.
| State | Insurance required | Minimum liability limits |
|---|---|---|
| AL | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/25 |
| AK | BI & PD Liab | 50/100/25 |
| AZ | BI & PD Liab | 15/30/10 |
| AR | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 25/50/25 |
| CA | BI & PD Liab | 15/30/5 |
| CO | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/15 |
| CT | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/20 |
| DE | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 25/50/10 |
| DC | BI & PD Liab, UM | 25/50/10 |
| FL | PD Liab, PIP | 10/20/10 |
| GA | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/25 |
| HI | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 20/40/10 |
| ID | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/15 |
| IL | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/20 |
| IN | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/25 |
| IA | BI & PD Liab | 20/40/15 |
| KS | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 25/50/25 |
| KY | BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM | 25/50/25 |
| LA | BI & PD Liab | 15/30/25 |
| ME | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM, Medpay | 50/100/25 |
| MD | BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM | 30/60/15 |
| MA | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 20/40/5 |
| MI | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 20/40/10 |
| MN | BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM | 30/60/10 |
| MS | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/25 |
| MO | BI & PD Liab, UM | 25/50/25 |
| MT | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/20 |
| NE | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/25 |
| NV | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/20 |
| NH | FR only | 25/50/25 |
| NJ | BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM | 15/30/5 |
| NM | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/10 |
| NY | BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM | 25/50/10 |
| NC | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 30/60/25 |
| ND | BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM | 25/50/25 |
| OH | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/25 |
| OK | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/25 |
| OR | BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM | 25/50/20 |
| PA | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 15/30/5 |
| RI | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/25 |
| SC | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/25 |
| SD | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/25 |
| TN | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/15 |
| TX | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 30/60/25 |
| UT | BI & PD Liab, PIP | 25/65/15 |
| VT | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/10 |
| VA | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/20 |
| WA | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/10 |
| WV | BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM | 25/50/25 |
| WI | BI & PD Liab, UM, Medpay | 25/50/10 |
| WY | BI & PD Liab | 25/50/20 |
For reference:
- BI – Bodily injury
- PD Liab – Property damage liability
- UM/UIM – Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist
- Medpay – Medical payments
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Final Thoughts on the Timeline for Getting Car Insurance
If this is your first car, the dealership will not let you drive it off their lot without an insurance policy. Therefore, your best bet is to compare insurance quotes before you buy the car in order to get the best price.
If you already have a car with auto insurance, you can show your insurance card when you buy the new one. You will then have a seven-to-30-day window to inform your insurer of your purchase, and they will cover your new car during this period. If you fail to inform them, you will lose coverage and the lack of coverage will be backdated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days after purchase do you have to get auto insurance?
There is no specific number of days required to get auto insurance after purchasing a vehicle. However, it is advisable to obtain insurance coverage before driving the vehicle on public roads.
What factors affect auto insurance rates?
Several factors can influence auto insurance rates, including the driver’s age, driving history, location, type of vehicle, coverage options, and credit score.
What types of coverage are available in auto insurance?
Auto insurance typically offers various types of coverage, including liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage), collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage.
Can I change my auto insurance policy anytime?
Yes, you can change your auto insurance policy anytime. However, it’s important to consider the cancellation policy, potential fees, and the availability of coverage from another provider before making any changes.
What happens if I drive without auto insurance?
Driving without auto insurance is illegal in most jurisdictions. If caught, you may face penalties such as fines, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and even legal consequences. Moreover, you will be responsible for any damages or injuries you cause in an accident.
Can I get auto insurance if I have a bad driving record?
Yes, it is possible to obtain auto insurance with a bad driving record, but it may be more challenging and expensive. Insurance companies may consider you a higher risk, resulting in higher premiums. Shopping around and comparing quotes from different providers can help you find the best options available.
Can I use my personal auto insurance for business purposes?
Generally, personal auto insurance policies do not cover vehicles used for business purposes. If you frequently use your vehicle for business activities, such as transporting goods or passengers for a fee, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy.
Are there any discounts available for auto insurance?
Yes, many insurance companies offer various discounts for auto insurance. Common discounts include safe driver discounts, multi-vehicle discounts, bundling policies, good student discounts, and discounts for safety features installed in the vehicle. Check with your insurance provider to see which discounts you may qualify for.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.