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How long do you have to insure a car?

I recently bought a car from a friend. I haven't gotten insurance on it yet. How long do I have to insure it?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Congratulations on your new car! To protect your new purchase, you buy insurance immediately unless you aren’t planning to drive or register it.
Any vehicle that’s operated on the road must carry your state’s
minimum car insurance requirements
with the notable exception of New Hampshire, where insurance isn’t required.
Most states also require that you have
car insurance
before registering the vehicle.
The only exception is if you already have a car insurance policy. If so, most companies extend coverage to your new vehicle. The grace period varies but is usually between 14 to 30 days. In this situation, add your new vehicle within the grace period to continue to have coverage.
If you need a car insurance policy fast, use
Jerry
. Jerry collects quotes from up to 50 top companies to provide customized coverage for the best price.”
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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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