Can you buy auto insurance the very moment you buy a car? Do insurance companies work that quickly?

rar4000: Can you buy auto insurance the very moment you buy a car? Do insurance companies work that quickly?
Can I call an insurance company the instant I buy a car and say, “Hey, I just bought a car. I want to get insurance for it.”? I think companies should do this because if I take off from the dealership without insurance, and somebody hits me on the way home, I’m in trouble, right? I looked everywhere for this information, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. Could somebody clarify this issue for me?

Answers and Views:

Answer by RottenDog
Yes, they should be able to get you insured right away. They’ll give you a reference number over the phone to use temporarily (or a website that you can print something off) – and will mail you your official certificate in a few days. You’ll obviously need a credit card as you must pay right away.

If I were you, however, I’d shop around first to see who has the best rate. Call several brokers and insurance companies, you’ll find rates can differ significantly between companies.

Answer by Compassionate Chick
I think insurance rules differ by state but in MA you MUST have insurance to take delivery of a new car and I do believe insurance companies can turn a policy around that quickly. If you know you’re buying a car why not just call the insurance company and say you’re planning to buy one and what’s the procedure for covering it once you know waht you’re getting?

Answer by oklatom
You see your agent in advance, and give them the information they need, and tell them you are looking for a car. When you finally settle on which car, call them from the dealer and give him the VIN and whatever else he needs. He can fax your proof of insurance card directly to the dealer so you will be covered.

Answer by Big C
I bought a new car and called the insurance company. I was covered. I just had to take it there the next couple of days so they could finish the paper work. They know the car is not wrecked (YET, lol). I bought mine, bought insurance over the phone then went to the insurance company and get it over with. Just to pick up the insurance card. But if you are going to buy that car, before you buy it from the dealer take it to the insurance company if you are worried about the insurance. Then when you leave the dealer you have insurance. The dealer automatically covers you with insurance while you “test drive” the car.

Answer by kim t
when i bought my vehicle, the dealer contacted my insurance company… i had insurance the same day i bought the car and drove it off the lot.. for the weekend we testdrove the car, the dealer was(so he said)was responsible “in case of an accident” i have a real great insurance company…state farm… and my house is also insured. i dont think that makes a difference, though. you cant drive off the lot without insurance though… i know they need to know if its financed, make and model and vin # im not sure if all dealers do this, but mine did…

Answer by Bryan B
Yes, an even faster way is to do it online which a good dealership will have the capability of doing as well. A good insurance company will also allow you to print proof of insurance after you purchase the policy online as well.

Answer by Nunoyvgvna Awi
all you do is call your insurance company, as long as they have the VIN they are happy till the new paperwork is all filled out. most mail the new paperwork.

this has been common place for 20 some years.

Answer by jmrob29
If you buy a car and have a loan on it you are required to have insurance before leaving the car dealership.

Most insurance companies have a way to buy on-line or over the phone.

Call your local State Farm agent and they can help you. (www.statefarm.com)

Good luck.

Answer by CowboyBill
Yes. To be on the safe side though I would drop by a local agent BEFORE I purchased a car and clear all the info and decide on which policies to buy. Then it would be a snap to call the agents staff and give a credit card number — ta-da! Instant coverage. Be aware that if you have an auto policy in force it will cover a new car for a set number of days (usually five to ten). read ‘newly aquired vehicle’ in your policy.

Answer by Autoinspector
Absolutely! As a matter of fact, a dealer would not let you drive off their lot if you don’t have insurance.