Can You Insure a Car Before Registering It – Buying a new car is an exciting thing and securing insurance is one of the crucial things to consider before grooving around with your car. A common question among first-time car buyers is whether they can get insurance for a car before formally registering it with the government. Of course, you can insure your car before registering it with the government of your state.
Comprehending the nuances of this procedure is essential, as it impacts not only your adherence to the law but also guarantees financial security from the time you receive your new vehicle. This article aims to enlighten you on the requirements and available options for insuring a car before proceeding with its registration. We would highlight key things you need to know about purchasing auto insurance even before registering your car.
Do You Need Insurance Before Registering A Car?
The answer to this question largely depends on your location i.e. the state in which you live in. Typically, the insurance laws and regulations in a state determine whether or not you need insurance before registering your car. However, many states often require their drivers to have a minimum auto insurance coverage before registering and hitting the road. You need to have a minimum amount of liability insurance on your auto insurance policy before you can drive legally in most states. Other required coverage also depends on your state laws.
Can You Insure a Car before Registering It?
As earlier said, you can proceed with purchasing your auto insurance even before registering it with the government of your state. In most states, drivers are required to provide a proof of insurability of their car before the registration can be approved. Perhaps, you reside in a state where it is mandatory for you to have car insurance before registering your car; you must have purchased car insurance prior to the registration.
Nevertheless, it is important to ensure that the insurance policy you purchased is in alignment with the minimum covered required by the state in which you reside. This would help to prevent unnecessary delay or disapproval in the process of registering your car.
States That Requires Proof of Insurance before Registering a Car
While there are so many states that require proof of insurance for registration of a car, there are some states that do not mandate it. For instance, Arizona, Mississippi, News Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin areexamples of states that donot need proof of insurance for registering a car. Notwithstanding, highlighted below are states that require proof of insurance before registering a car;
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New york
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington, dc
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
If you reside in any of these states, you are required to have a proof of insurance before you can register your car.
What Do I Need Before Driving My Car?
The requirements needed for driving legally varies by states. This means that, the state you live in determine what you need before you drive your car around. So, the requirement might vary but to be on a safer side, we encourage you to know what your state requires and see to it that you comply with the insurance laws before driving on the road. That being said, here’s a sneak peak of some of the common things you will likely need before driving your car;
- A valid driver’s license or learner permit.
- Vehicle registration number (VIN).
- Title of the vehicle.
- Proof of insurance.
- Proof of safety inspection.
Make sure you check the local regulations as requirements differ across multiple states.
FAQs
Is it possible to drive without insurance?
It depends. If you reside in NewHampshire and Virginia, you can freely dive your carwithout insurance. But in other states, if you are caught driving without a minimum coverage, the consequences attached is often severe. Driving without insurance attracts heavy fines and worst case scenario; your license can be suspended and revoked.
Do I need insurance to drive a new car?
Most definitely! Before your new car is released to you, you will be required to show proof that you have car insurance. For those who have an existing auto insurance policy, you can reach out to your insurance provider to be sure if it can be used for the car you just bought. Some insurance companies allows policyholders to temporarily make use of their coverage for new cars but you may still be required to get a new policy or add to your coverage.
Will my insurance policy be active immediately after purchase?
Yes, it would. Payment necessitates coverage. Once you have finalized the policy and made payment for the premiums, your coverage will be activated immediately. So, if you get into an unforeseen event such as accident; your insurance policy will cover you.