How long do I have to buy insurance after buying a new car in California?

I know that in California, I have 10 days to register a new vehicle after purchase. Does that timeline also apply to buying car insurance?

Savannah Grabek · Answered on Mar 12, 2021

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

Thanks for your question! The grace period in California for getting your insurance is 30 days. That means you have 30 days to show proof of coverage to the DMV.

However, I do not recommend waiting that long to get your insurance. The sooner you get it, the better.

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