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How do you insure a car you just bought?

I’m buying a new car, but I only have time to go to the dealership this weekend. How do I make sure the car is insured so I can legally drive it?

avatar
Lauren Smith · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good news!
A lot of insurance companies allow you to purchase online
same-day insurance
policies online.
In these cases, you’ll get a PDF copy of your insurance as proof of insurance so you can drive the car off the lot. Your physical card will arrive later in the mail. The whole process generally takes less than 30 minutes!
To purchase same-day insurance, you’ll need :
  • The vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • mileage on the vehicle
  • Driver’s license number for all drivers who will be on the policy
  • Your date of birth
  • Your addresses
  • Marital status
  • Recent driving history for all drivers who will be on the policy (claims, accidents, or driving courses)
Remember, it’s a good idea to shop around for quotes so you know you’re getting the best price on insurance. You can do this even if you’re in a time crunch by shopping with
Jerry
!
Jerry pulls quotes from over top 50 companies in under a minute and delivers the best deals right to your phone. No long forms. No calling around. Just savings. The average Jerry user saves $879 a year on car insurance. Plus you can ask our customer service for assistance with finding discounts on your car insurance or if you have any questions.
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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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