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How long can I wait before I add a car to my insurance policy?
Do I have to add my new car to my Progressive policy right away? My brother gave me his old car since he didn't need it anymore. I think he still has it on his insurance—but I’ve been driving it around for a few weeks. Should I add it to my insurance instead of his? How long should I wait?
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! While
Progressive
has a 30 day grace period to add a new car to an existing policy, you should add the vehicle to your policy right away.Since the car is still listed on your brother’s policy, you are covered to drive legally. However, if you were to have an accident, there would be a dispute over which insurance company would be responsible for the payment—so it’s best to get your new car registered to avoid any confusion!
- Sign the title. this will be what legally transfers the car over to your name.
- Add the car to your current insurance policy.
- Go to your local DMV with a copy of the title, yourinsurance ID card, method of payment, and any applicable registration paperwork. (You can print any forms you need from the DMV website and complete them ahead of time!)
- Each state can have a different registration process, so check with the DMV if any additional steps are needed.
Since you are updating your current insurance policy, now would be the perfect time to shop around and ensure that you are getting the lowest rate possible! The easiest way to do this is through the
Jerry
app. We’ll get you customized quotes in seconds so that all you have to do is choose the plan that works best for you—and once you choose one, we’ll even help you switch!Best of luck with the registration process, and enjoy your new ride!
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- Gregory R.
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