Hello Beeler Bloggers,
I apologize for the extended interval between Blog Posts but it is summer and I have been taking some time with my family.
So, I had a question posed to me just yesterday.
Is there a grace period to buy car insurance after purchasing a used car from a friend? I live in Rome, GA.
Gene,
Rome GA
Can you confidently answer this question? I replied:
My answer is a bit long winded.
Gene,
In Georgia there is actually no grace period for buying automobile insurance. So, the date you acquire an auto (and subsequently operate the car on the public roadways of our great State) you will need to buy automobile insurance.
Operating an automobile without insurance is against the law and you will get a ticket if you get caught driving an uninsured auto.
And furthermore, you wouldn't want to risk the costs involved with paying for an un-insured accident that is your fault.
If you already have an in-force auto insurance policy on other cars that you own, your insurance company is required by Georgia Code to extend coverage to you on a newly acquired car for up to 30 days from date the auto was acquired.
HOWEVER, this is contingent on 3 important things:
1. You must notify the company that issued your in-force policy within 30 days of acquiring the vehicle
2. You must produce properly dated documentation that shows you are the owner of the newly acquired automobile and the date you acquired it.
3. You must request to add the newly acquired automobile to your in-force policy EFFECTIVE THE DATE YOU ACQUIRED THE AUTO. (this means you agree pay your insurance company for coverage that they provided, beginning the date the auto was acquired, for coverage during the time the auto was on the road but was not on the policy).
Generally Georgia car insurance companies only extend coverage on a newly acquired vehicle when you have an inforce policy and meet the contingencies above.
If you don't have an in-force policy you have no coverage and no grace period.
I suggest that when you buy a a new or used auto and don't have an in-force policy you should visit www.beelerinsurance.com
for an instant online comparison quote and then contact us to secure your coverage. We'll issue the required "temporary insurance binder" and get ready to obtain your GA registration/tag and be legal to drive.
After this, keep the bill of sale, dated within thirty days of the purchase date, and a valid insurance binder to show as temporary proof of insurance in the car with you.
I hope this helps,
Kind regards,
Chris Beeler