Transferring Insurance to a New Car, Explained

If you want to transfer insurance to a new car, inform your insurance company. They’ll help you assess your needs and transfer the policy. Read this guide to learn how to transfer insurance to a new car.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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If you want to transfer insurance to a new car, you’ll need to inform your insurance company. They’ll help you assess your needs and transfer the policy. Be sure to consider the
minimum car insurance requirements
where you live, as they vary from state to state.
While transferring insurance to a new car is a relatively easy process, note that your
car insurance
premiums may change depending on what you’re driving. Of course, you always have the option of swapping your current policy for similar coverage at a more affordable rate.
How? With
Jerry
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If you’re transferring insurance to a new car, do yourself a favor and use Jerry to see what other insurers are offering for similar coverage. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Read on to find out more about transferring car insurance to a new car.
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How to transfer insurance to a new car

First things first—get in touch with your insurer by phone or online to get the ball rolling on transferring your insurance to a new car. You’ll want to align the dates of your insurance transfer with the acquisition of your new car to ensure there's no
insurance lapse
.
If your car is financed with a loan, inform your insurer of the lender and provide their information. Your insurer needs to know who has a financial stake in the car.
When you transfer your insurance from one car to another, your premium may change depending on the make and model of your new vehicle.
Some insurers allow transfers to be done online, but others require this to be done over the phone or in person. Check with your insurer.

Transferring your car insurance on a weekend

If you’re buying on a weekend, most insurers have a 24/7 hotline set up to notify them that you’re behind the wheel of a new car.
In order for your insurer to calculate your new premium, you’ll need to provide all the relevant information about your new car. This includes:
If you bought your new car with a loan, the insurer will notify the lienholder.
Key Takeaway Transferring insurance from an old car to a new one is an easy process and can often be done online or over the phone.

Is it a good idea to add additional insurance when transferring my insurance to a new car?

This depends on your new car. If you’re transferring your insurance from a jalopy to a more expensive car, it makes sense to add additional coverage if you were only minimally insured before.
This is easily done, as insurers will usually ask about updating your coverage when transferring it from one car to another. If you’re upgrading to a new car, you might want to add
collision
and
comprehensive insurance
to protect yourself and your investment.

What happens to my old car after the insurance transfer?

If you’ve traded your old car in and transferred your insurance to your new car, the dealer is responsible for your old car, not you.
Depending on the state you live in, you may be required to turn in a car’s plates and registration after insurance on the vehicle has been transferred. Check with your local DMV to make sure.
Note that some states tie a car to its tags for life. In such a case, registration on that car would be canceled once it is no longer insured.
It’s always a good idea to give your insurer a call a few days after you’ve transferred your insurance to make sure your old car is no longer on your policy.
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Are there fees to transfer insurance from one car to another?

Insurance providers typically do not charge a fee to transfer insurance from one car to another. Essentially, you are removing one car from your policy and adding a new one in its place.
But even though you won’t be charged to transfer your insurance, your premiums may change depending on your new ride.

Assessing the insurance needs of your new car

Before transferring your insurance to a new car, think about what your insurance needs will look like with your new ride.
If you think your rates with your current provider might change, it’s a good time to shop around for comparable coverage at a better price.
Jerry
is the best place online to find the best customized coverage at an affordable rate.

Swapping insurance with Jerry

If you need to transfer insurance to a new car but you want to shop around for similar coverage at a better rate, then get
Jerry
to help you out.
Sign-up takes just 45 seconds and before you know it, competitive quotes from the nation’s top insurance will be popping up on your smartphone screen.
The best part about using Jerry? It is 100% free! Jerry customers are loving the savings...
"Let me start off by saying I’ve used all the websites that compare insurance to get you the best deal. I thought I had a great deal at $300 a month until I got a
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Frequently asked questions

How long should you wait to transfer insurance to your new car?

An insurance transfer should be done as soon as possible. Some states allow your new car to be on your old insurance for anywhere from 14 to 30 days—but it’s always smart to time your insurance transfer to the new car’s date of sale to ensure you have no gaps in coverage.

Does transferring insurance mean I’ll have the exact same coverage on my new car?

This depends on where you live. In some states, this is indeed the case—if you have liability only on your policy from your old car and transfer coverage to a new car, you’ll have
liability insurance
and nothing else. If you live in a state where this happens, you may want to add comprehensive and collision insurance to a new car.
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