How to get car insurance when buying a car on the weekend

Thinking about doing some weekend car shopping at Coughlin Chevrolet Buick GMC of Circleville? You might be wondering about insurance requirements, and how to even get insurance on the weekend. Do you need insurance before you buy a vehicle? Are you able to drive off the lot without it? In most instances, it’s best to have insurance lined up before or at the dealership. And below you’ll find out why, along with a few scenarios to consider.

Luckily, insuring a car has never been easier.

Confirm your car insurance policy before buying a new car

In most states you need insurance to legally drive on the road. That means you’ll need to be insured before you can legally drive your new vehicle off the lot. Some dealerships may require it, too.

If you already have insurance in place, notify your insurer beforehand. Our dealership also has a partnership with Allstate, located inside Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala, so you can visit us, purchase auto insurance online, or call our in-dealership agent.

Can I apply my current policy if I’m replacing my older car?

If you decide to purchase a new or used car during the weekend and your insurer isn't available to set up coverage for your new auto, some insurers provide a grace period. But as mentioned above, you may be able to easily add a vehicle to your policy online with our Allstate agent.

A different vehicle may have different coverage needs and requirements – but you can apply some of the same coverages to your new vehicle as your old one, as long as they’re applicable. 

If, say, you plan to drive your new vehicle more, however, you may want higher coverage limits. Different vehicle parts and materials might also require increased limits. Your insurer will let you know, and if you’re adding your vehicle through a mobile app, it may automatically apply the needed coverages and limits.

On the other hand, depending on your new vehicle’s make and model, crashworthiness, safety features and more, you may be able to qualify for new auto insurance discounts. 

There's always the option of canceling your policy and purchasing a new one from a new auto insurance company. You may even save some money!

What is a car insurance grace period?

A car insurance grace period is the amount of time between buying a vehicle and buying car insurance that an insurance company will allow. If you have an auto insurance policy and you buy a new vehicle, your insurer may give you a certain amount of time before you have to notify them. Depending on the insurance company, grace periods can range anywhere from a week to 30 days, according to Bankrate.

What if I’m buying a new car, but not replacing my old one

If you're buying a new vehicle but not replacing your old one, you can simply add it to your existing policy. It's easier than purchasing a brand-new policy, plus many insurers offer a discount if you have more than one vehicle on it.

Depending on your new vehicle, you may want different coverages and limits than your existing vehicle. As mentioned above, if you plan on driving your vehicle more, or it has expensive parts, it may need higher coverage limits. If you’re leasing it, your lender may require you to purchase gap insurance.

But if you plan on driving it less, or it has a higher crashworthiness rating than your existing vehicle, it may require less coverage and be cheaper to insure.

Call your insurer or get a quote online

If you have any questions, you can call your current insurer. Some insurance companies offer 24/7 customer support. If you don't yet have insurance, you can get quotes online fairly easily at our dealership. 

Does car insurance cover test drives?

If you're test driving a car with the intent to purchase it for your personal use, most insurers cover you for the use of "non-owned cars" including test-drive vehicles and loaners.

However, dealers are required by law to insure their cars, and that insurance would typically cover an accident that occurs during a test drive. Keep in mind, though, that in some instances, a dealer's insurer may seek reimbursement from you or your insurer if you cause an accident during a test drive.

When it comes down to it, if you know you're in the market to buy a car and you're planning on visiting a dealership over the weekend, consider talking to us to confirm that you're prepared to make a purchase should you find that perfect vehicle.

— Call or Contact us today!