Do you need insurance to buy a car?

To get a car insurance card, request one by logging into your account on the car insurance company’s website or by calling customer service. Insurance companies generally send new customers two copies of their insurance card in the mail along with the other details of their policy when they sign up. Some insurance carriers also provide insurance cards via email, the company’s smartphone app, insurance agents, or brokers.... read full answer

How to Get a Car Insurance Card by Company

When You Need a Car Insurance Card

1. You get pulled over

Police officers commonly ask for proof of insurance when they pull you over. If you don’t have it, you’ll likely have to pay a fine.

2. You get into an accident

One of the first things that you need to do after getting into an accident is exchange insurance information with the other driver. Your car insurance card will have all of the information that the other driver needs if they plan to file a liability insurance claim.

3. You need to register your vehicle

In most states, the DMV requires you to have proof of insurance in order to register your car or renew an existing registration.

What to Do if Your Car Insurance Card Is Lost

If you lose your insurance card, or you realize the information is incorrect, you should contact your insurer immediately to get a replacement. Your insurance company will usually email you a temporary card or have you download one from their website until a physical card can arrive in the mail.

If your card is missing or contains errors and you aren’t able to provide proof of insurance during a traffic stop, you will likely be ticketed for driving without insurance. If you do have a policy, most states will allow you to provide proof of insurance after the fact and have the ticket dismissed. However, you might still need to pay fees or fines, and the added inconvenience can be avoided by keeping your insurance information in your car at all times.

Digital Insurance Cards

Insurance cards these days aren’t always physical cards. Digital insurance cards are considered legally acceptable proof of insurance for a traffic stop everywhere except New Mexico. But if you plan on using digital proof of insurance, make sure you know how to access it in advance so you’re not scrambling when you need it. Having a paper copy in your glovebox is still a smart back-up in case of technical difficulties, too.

At the end of the day, maintaining insurance coverage and keeping an accurate insurance card in your car can prove that you have the necessary coverage and protect you from the penalties that come with driving uninsured: fines, a suspended license, and even jail time.

You need proof of car insurance before you can drive a newly-purchased used car off the lot, if you’re buying from a dealership. If you’re planning to add the used car to an existing insurance policy, your vehicle may be covered for as long as 30 days, depending on your insurer. And if you’re purchasing the car from a private seller, you may not be required to show ... read full answerproof of insurance at all.

Company & State Rules for Used Car Grace Periods

The grace period for adding a new car to an insurance policy varies by insurer. Some companies, like Nationwide, provide a grace period of 10 days, while Progressive, Geico, and Farmers provide a grace period of 30 days. In most cases, your policy term will transfer to a new vehicle, so you won’t have to start over with a new six-month or one-year policy.

Before purchasing a used car, make sure you contact your insurance company so that you understand their grace period. If you miss a deadline, you could end up unintentionally driving without insurance, which could result in stiff penalties.

However, it’s important to recognize that not all state laws allow this grace period for used car purchases and car insurance. Some states, like New York, do not allow any grace period for car insurance.

Checking your state laws and insurance company rules before purchasing a used car will help you better understand the regulations that apply to your particular case.