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How many days do you have to get car insurance?

I want to buy my first car next month and don't know when to get car insurance. How many days do I have to buy car insurance?

avatar
Grace Cho · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
If you already have
insurance
on another car, your insurance provider will usually give you a grace period of 7-30 days to add your new vehicle to the insurance. You should be able to extend your policy to your new car, but it is still smart to check with your provider to see their specific policies.
However, if this is your first car, and you do not have any car insurance, you must buy insurance before you take ownership of the car. It is illegal in most states to drive a car that is not insured or with proof of insurance. You can face strict fines and the risk of being in an accident without any insurance, so it is important that you have insurance before taking possession of your car.
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