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How long do you have to get insurance after buying a car?

My brother is buying a car to replace his old one. He currently has insurance, but he hasn't added his new car yet. How long does he have to get insurance after buying his car?

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Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Upgrading to a new car is an awesome treat! In most cases, someone has 7-14 days to add a car to their current insurance policy, but your brother will need to check with his provider. Most companies extend a grace period to newly purchased vehicles, meaning your policy will automatically cover your new car for the first week or two.
The time limit sometimes depends on the seller of the car:
  • Many dealerships require you to add the car to your insurance policy and show
    proof of insurance
    before you can drive off the lot.
  • If your brother is purchasing the car from a private seller, the insurance company grace period would apply. However, he should still add the new car to his insurance policy as soon as possible.
Since your brother is replacing his car, now would be a good time to look at other car insurance options. If his rate changes after adding his new car, he can shop around for the best rate using
Jerry
. Jerry is an app that gathers quotes from top insurance providers, ensuring you’re always getting the best price for the coverage you need.
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