When buying a new car, your insurance company will provide you with a grace period of between 7 and 30 days to update your policy with your new trip. For example, Progressive allows 30 days, which means that if you file a claim within that period, your new car will continue to be covered in the same way as your old vehicle. Your car insurance policy won't be immediately canceled because you don't make a payment. Auto insurance companies are required by state law to give notice before canceling their policy.
Depending on the state, you'll normally have 10 to 20 days. Your company will notify you by mail or email before canceling your coverage. Auto insurance grace periods can be up to 30 days, but the exact time you have to make a payment before your coverage is canceled depends on your insurance company and the state. All but two states (New Hampshire and Virginia) require some form of auto insurance at all times, and even those states require a DMV confirmation to drive without insurance.
If you're currently a Progressive customer, you can call customer service at 1-866-749-7436 to add your new car and any additional coverage you may need. Progressive's grace period for new cars is 30 days, which means that current Progressive customers have 30 days to add a new car to their insurance policy and purchase any additional coverage they may need. When you buy a car for someone, the grace period of your current car insurance coverage should apply. Learn more about the schedule for getting insurance, and then check out some of the best auto insurance companies in the country.
When reading state laws on auto insurance policies, look for the grace period and cancellation regulations. Some car insurance companies are open on the weekends, but generally, you'll have to wait until one business day to add a vehicle to your policy or buy insurance for the first time. Call your old insurance company and find out if your coverage has expired and, if so, how long you have been without car insurance coverage. If you're adding a vehicle to your policy or replacing one, your current policy should also cover the new car, so you don't need a new policy before driving the vehicle home.
In addition to the providers you choose, factors such as the age, make and model of the vehicle, and driving history can affect the car insurance rates you see. Your current policy should be automatically extended to your new car during this period of time, but check with your provider for confirmation. Each insurance company determines their rates differently, so while Progressive is one of the cheapest car insurance companies, the only way to confirm that you've found the lowest price is to compare quotes from several companies. Steer Clear is a driving update program that encourages safe driving habits in customers under 25, while Drive Safe & Save monitors the driving habits of drivers of all ages to help them save on car insurance.
For example, if you currently only have liability coverage and you have an accident with a new vehicle, your new car won't be covered for any damage.