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How long do I have to change insurance for a new car?

My little sister is going to move in with me for a year in New York, and I bought a bigger car for the both of us to use. I have a policy for my old car, but I haven’t updated my new car. How long do I have to switch my insurance?

avatar
Carlos Kirby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Generally speaking, most providers give you a 14-30 day window during which you can add the car to your policy after your purchase. That said, we recommend, however, that you get
car insurance
the day of or even before you purchase your vehicle so you are always covered from a legal perspective.
If you don’t transfer your policy as soon as possible, you could be in violation of the law and be cited for operating a vehicle without insurance.
Keep in mind, your rates may change based on the price of the new vehicle and the additional driver on your policy, so don’t be surprised if you see a spike in your premiums.
It may be a good time to look for a different policy with a better rate.
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