CarInsurance.com Cheaper Auto
Insurance Available
> ZIP code:  Click & Quote
CarInsurance.com Navigation
  About Car Insurance About Us
  Car Insurance Site Map Site Map

Get Free Quotes Now

Zip Code:
Save With CarInsurance.com!
Car Insurance Learning Center  Learning Center  Auto Insurance Questions & Answers   Questions & Answers  Professional Answers   Professional Answer
If I purchase a new car am I covered by a grace period by my current auto insurance?

State laws differ however in most states there is not any grace period granted by law for you to obtain insurance after you have bought a new car. Most states require you to have insurance on a new vehicle before you operate it on public roadways.

When there are no state laws to guide insurance companies in regards to extending existing auto insurance coverage to a new car, insurers can have their own rules. So your car insurance company may by their own guidelines give a grace period to add your newly purchased car to your policy.

Generally speaking, with many insurance carriers give you 30 days to get your new car registered and your title squared away and for you to inform them about your new vehicle. Some companies only offer this "grace period" for you to have coverage on your new car under your existing policy for only 14 days and some do not give you any grace period to place your car on your policy.

If your car insurance company does cover you for period of time after you have purchase a car but before you have technically placed the car on your policy then normally you must be replacing a car already on the policy (say you traded in a car and replaced that car on your policy with the new car) and the coverages extended to you will be the same as the car you are taking off the policy.

In this scenario it would mean that if you traded in a car with only Liability coverage than your new car would only have liability coverage on it during the grace period or if you had full coverage on the old vehicle than your new vehicle should also be extended to the new vehicle if your insurer offers a grace period in which to put your new vehicle on your current insurance policy.

Since insurance companies' policy guidelines vary in if a new car will have any grace period to be placed on your policy it is best to discuss this issue with your insurance carrier before buying a new car. Even if there is a "grace period" it is always best to inform your insurance agent when you have purchased a new car and to give him the information needed to get the motor vehicle properly placed on the policy as soon as possible after your purchase of it.

To find out what your state's laws are regarding grace periods to add a newly purchased car to your policy, check with your state insurance regulatory body. Then to find out if your current car insurance policy would extend to a new car that you buy for a certain amount of time (grace period) speak to your agent.

To get a car insurance quotes from an auto insurance specialist for a new car click here.

Share this on: Tweet this! Add to Facebook Add Google Bookmark Digg This Windows Live Favorites Add to Del.icio.us reddit this!
StumbleUpon Save to Ma.gnolia Save to Blinklist Technorati This Submit to Propeller Furl It Seed Newsvine
Related Questions
Car Insurance RelatedDo you know how long you have to transfer insurance, is there a grace period, when purchasing a car in Florida?
Car Insurance RelatedI live in Oklahoma and bought a new car and I had not had time to get insurance put on it. However, I do have insurance on my other car and have the verification card in the glove box for it. I was...
Car Insurance RelatedWhat is the time limit to get your car insured and registered after you buy it in Massachusetts? Also, can I drive the car during that time limit?
Car Insurance RelatedWhat is the grace period when purchasing a new car?
Car Insurance RelatedDo you get a grace period to drive a car home after buying from a private seller in Illinois?
Car Insurance RelatedMy son is buying a new car. He is currently on our car insurance but his car is registered to me and to him. This new car will only be registered to him. Will he still be covered for a grace period...
Car Insurance RelatedCan you tell me what the grace period is for covering a new vehicle on an existing insurance policy in South Carolina?
Car Insurance RelatedHow long after buying a car do you have to get insurance in the State of Washington?
Car Insurance RelatedWhen you buy a car from a private owner how long do you have to get insurance in Mississippi?
Car Insurance RelatedWhen buying a car from a individual do you have a certain amount of time to buy insurance or by MN state law do you have to have it the day you purchase the vehicle?
Car Insurance RelatedWhat are Texas laws on time limits for adding a newly purchased car to insurance policy?
Car Insurance RelatedIn the state of Pennsylvania, how long do I have to transfer my auto insurance from my old car to another one?
Car Insurance RelatedAre you covered under your liability insurance you hold for a car you trade or sale for a new vehicle for any amount of time (grace period) in Arkansas? If so how long?
Car Insurance RelatedIn New York I just purchased the car less than 24 hours ago. Do I have an auto insurance grace period?
Car Insurance RelatedHow long do you have in the state of Georgia to get insurance after buying a car from an individual?
Tell us what you think about this answer.
What did you think of this question and answer?

poor 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

 excellent
Tell us why you rated this car insurance question and answer this way:
Visitor Comments
No visitors have commented on this answer.
Question Details
This car insurance question was asked on 8/5/2009
This auto insurance answer was last updated on 8/12/2009
Gaylee B requested this car insurance solution.
Rated 0 out of 10 based on 0 votes.
Customer Service
Print Car Insurance Answers Print this car insurance question and answer
Email Car Insurance Answers Email this auto insurance answer
Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided are for information purposes. They are not intended to substitute informed professional advice. These responses should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell any insurance product, or to provide financial or legal advice. Please refer to your insurance policy for specific coverage and exclusion information. Please read our Terms Of Use.
©2009 CarInsurance.com, Inc. - Online Insurance Marketplace™
safe and secure auto insurance   better business bureau car insurance   Tested, Safe, and Secure Car Insurance