I just bought a new car yesterday. This is my second one, I already have one with valid insurance until mid-2009 and I’m still planning to keep it.
The dealer gave me a 30-day permit (a tag & a copy of the permit). So, do I have to buy insurance for my new car right away or should I wait until the 30-day permit expires then buy a new one?
February 23, 2010 @ 2:35 am
I’m not sure of what your saying. By law the dealer is mandated to making sure that you, the customer have valid Insurance prior to a person leaving the dealership. By issuing a “Permit” for any amount of time requires Valid Insurance. This is not a “Do you think you can get It?” It is a “YOU MUST” have insurance. So, having said that, where is your insurance?
February 23, 2010 @ 2:39 am
Most policies only offer coverage for a few days for a newly acquired vehicle (they offer coverage for a longer period of time for replacement vehicles). So unless you want to go without coverage for a few weeks I would add the vehicle to your policy as soon as possible.
February 23, 2010 @ 3:37 am
Your standard auto policy covers newly acquired vehicles automatically for 30 days, but call your agent right away to make sure. The first time I got called for jury duty, the case involved just this situation–a man forgot to add the car officially and, of course, had an accident with it after 30 days. I didn’t serve on the jury since I worked in insurance, but I’m sure he lost the case; an insurance policy is a contract, and one of your duties is to advise the company of new vehicles.
February 23, 2010 @ 3:41 am
The dealer shouldn’t have let you take the vehicle off the lot without proof of an insurance policy or at least a binder. You’ll need to get insurance as soon as possible. The 30 day temporary tags is just for your registration, not for your insurance. Check with your insurance provider to see if they offer temporary coverage for a newly acquired vehicle. If they do then you should be covered for 30 days from the date of purchase. If you don’t have the coverage then you need to get an insurance policy soon.