There is no grace period in New York, or in most other states, for obtaining new auto insurance. In order to register your car and obtain license plates in New York you must either purchase an automobile liability insurance policy from an insurer licensed by the New York State Insurance Department, or provide other acceptable proof of financial responsibility in at least the minimum amounts required by law according to the NYS Insurance Department.

If you bought a brand new car from a licensed NYS auto dealer than the dealer should have helped you apply to the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for your registration. In many cases, the dealer can issue a temporary registration and, if required, vehicle plates. The dealer normally submits your vehicle registration and title certificate application for you. As part of the registration paperwork either at the dealership or if you go in and register at the DMV in person is proof of New York auto insurance.

The NYS DMV notes that a motor vehicle registered in New York must have liability insurance. Insurance coverage must be a minimum of $25,000/50,000 for injury, $50,000/100,000 for death, and $10,000 for property damage caused by any one accident. New York State is a no-fault state. The liability coverage must remain in effect while the registration is valid, even if the vehicle is not used (except motorcycles).

Since you cannot drive around in an unregistered car, you also cannot drive without insurance in NYS. Now if you traded in a car for this new vehicle than your current insurance policy may extend the same coverages as your old car had to the new car for a certain amount of time. Insurance companies' guidelines vary so you would have to check with your specific insurer to see if your coverage extends to this car you just bought or not.

When buying a new car it is best to shop for insurance before the actual purchase. This way you know if your current policy will extend to the new car for any length of time and the cost of insuring the new car. Also when you buy the vehicle and are ready to drive it away you just have to call up the insurance carrier you have decided to use to either add the car to your existing policy or start up your policy. If the dealer needs proof of insurance this can then be faxed to them by your insurance agent.

If you purchased a car less than 24 hours ago and have taken possession of it to legally drive on the roadways you need to have the car registered and insured both. You can shop for auto insurance quotes online here with us and buy a policy immediately so that you are not driving without insurance in your new vehicle.