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Do you need insurance to test drive a car?

Can I test drive a car if I don’t have car insurance, or do I have to get a policy first? I thought that it was the dealership’s responsibility to protect the car until I bought it, but my mom told me otherwise.

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You’re right—the dealership is responsible for the vehicle until you actually purchase it. So generally speaking, you won’t
need insurance
to test drive a car.
As long as you have a valid driver’s license, most dealerships will allow you to take a car out for a spin. However, it’s not a bad idea to get a policy anyway.
The insurance coverage at car dealerships is often minimal, so getting into an accident could be very expensive if you’re not covered. Additionally, you probably wouldn’t receive any compensation for injuries, since the bulk of the insurance would cover the vehicle itself.
Even if you don’t get insurance before doing a test drive, you’ll still need to secure a policy before you can purchase a new vehicle.
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