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How long do I have to get car insurance after buying a new car?
As of yesterday, I am officially the owner of a brand-new Honda Civic. I want to start driving it ASAP, but I don't have insurance yet. How soon do I need to get car insurance after buying a new vehicle?
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Congrats on your new ride! It makes sense that you’re eager to get on the road, but keep in mind that it is illegal to drive an uninsured vehicle in most states.
That said, you’ll want to get car insurance as soon as you can after buying a new car.
The good news is, if you had insurance on a previous vehicle, the coverage will transfer to your new Honda for a specified period of time (called a grace period). Depending on the state you’re in, you usually have somewhere between seven to 30 days to add the new car to your existing insurance policy.
Did you sell or trade in your previous vehicle? If so, when adding your new Honda, remove your old car, as well.
But if you’ve never been insured before, you’ll need to buy a policy right away. In fact, the dealership will require
proof of insurance
before handing over your keys.Fortunately, the
Jerry
app makes shopping for insurance quick and easy. Jerry will generate competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute and deliver low-cost rates directly to your phone for free. Just pick a policy, and Jerry will handle all the paperwork and phone calls so you can hit the road!”View full answer
- Gregory R.
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