Hello everyone,

In California, how does insurance coverage work when I'm buying a new car?
For instance, if I'm picking up new car tomorrow (on sunday),
so how do I get insurance coverage?
Do I have to buy insurance for couple of days from dealer?

On my current car, I'm only a designated driver. So on the
small insurance card that I carry in my current car, my name
does not appear (only my parents). But my name is in insurance
company's system. However, I did not call them up to say I'm buying a new car over the weekend.
Please share whatever you know, and thank you in advance.

Alex

 

when i bought my z in august the dealership said i had five days to get insurance.

 

If the new car will have a lien holder, you will have to show proof of insurance to drive it off the lot.

 

Hey thanks for quick reply.

Did you not have insurance at all before you bought your car?

Because I know by law that if you had insurance in your name,
that insurance company is suppose to cover you for a week or two.

Anyhow, thank you.

Alex

 

David thanks for letting me know.

I would have to talk to current insurance provider,
but the office is closed. And yes, I am getting loan.
May be I have to wait until next week to purchase my car.

Alex

 

My current policy covers a new car for 30 days.

 

Hey David you're from East Coast. You should get some sleep instead of helping people like me

Yeah, I believe if you have insurance you are covered for sometime. Not sure if this is the case for me since my name does not appear on the insurance card. May be this is not something complicated, or who knows. I'll just have to call the dealer and see what they say. Thanks though!

Alex

 

When I purchased my car I don't think I had insurance because my parents did not add my car yet. But I should them the insurance card on my trade in. So basically I drove the car off the lot without insurance.

 

scotty, david, and "spoiled z",

thank you all for helping me out.
to update my story, i did show them the insurance card, but since i'm only a designated driver, that didn't work here in california.

so i had to buy a temporary dealer insurance for about $250 for 30 days, but dealer ened up eating that cost.
anyhow thanks again.

alex

 

Glad to hear that it all worked out.