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How do you get car insurance when buying a car?

I'm getting a car for the first time. The dealership said I'm required to have insurance prior to driving off the lot. What’s the best way to insure a vehicle before buying it?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Buying a car is a huge milestone—congrats!
To get the best car insurance rates and coverage, you’ll need to shop around. Every
car insurance provider
offers its own set of coverage options and prices its policies a little differently, so shopping around is an optimal way to learn about your options.
Your best bet is to request quotes from at least three
companies
. To do so, you will need:
  • Your driver’s license number
  • Full name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • The vehicle identification number, or VIN
You’ll also need to know what
type of coverage
you need. If you are financing your car, you’ll likely need comprehensive and collision coverage on the policy, in addition to
liability insurance
. But if you’re buying the vehicle outright, that may be excessive. Speak with the dealership or an insurance agent for more information.
If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, go to
Jerry
. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes from multiple insurers for free and will even help you buy your policy.
After purchasing the policy that suits your needs and budget, your new insurance company will be able to provide you with
proof of insurance
that you can show the dealership. Enjoy your new wheels!”
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WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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