I just bought a car here in Washington State. What’s my grace period for getting car insurance to avoid getting a penalty?

Jenny

Seattle WA

There’s no grace period for a liability coverage according to the Insurance Commissioner of Washington state. Also, the grace period to adding another vehicle to your insurance policy would be different from one company to another. It is important then to check with your insurer the maximum time required to file or add your newly bought vehicle to your existing policy. Most dealers would often require a physical damage coverage before it leaves the dealership.

If you’re replacing an old car to your policy, most insurers would extend that existing policy to your new car. If you’re adding a new car to your policy, you could inquire whether they would extend your existing policy for a certain amount of time or should you add the new vehicle to your policy with the required coverage.

If you’re just about to get an insurance policy on your car, then it is more practical to give your preferred auto insurance company an update on the type of car you’re planning to buy before it actually leaves the dealership. Request your dealership a fax of the car information to work with your insurer the practical coverage to apply.

I live in Washington. I just want to know how long do I have to get an insurance after I purchased a car?

Mikaela

Thank you for asking Mikaela.

According to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner for Washington state, the State requires individuals that drives a motor vehicle to have liability insurance. There is no grace period for liability.

In addition to that, insurance regulator for the state of Washington states that all insurance providers have different time requirements to add a newly acquired car to the insurance policy. You may contact your insurance provider to get information regarding grace period for adding that newly acquired motor vehicle to your existing insurance policy. Most dealers require physical damage coverage on the car before it leaves the dealership.

If you have car insurance already on other vehicles and purchase a new car that needs to be added to your insurance policy you may contact your insurance company to make know if your insurance policy will extend to the new car for a certain amount of time or if you must add the car immediately to the policy to be covered.

If you do not have a car insurance policy yet on any vehicles but is planning to buy a car then you will need to get car insurance before leaving the lot with the car normally.

Goodluck!

MariCAR