Just Traded Your Car In? Here’s What Your Insurer Needs To Know

So, you're finally upgrading your vehicle. You're probably wondering how your auto insurance policy handles this scenario. Here's what you need to know:

• Your insurance provider will give you a grace period. The sooner you let your insurer know that you've traded your old car in for something new, the better. But you won't be out of luck if you wind up in an accident on the way home from the dealership. You will want to check your policy, but your insurer may give you anywhere from ten days to a full month to get in touch with them and let them know about your new vehicle.

• The car dealership will require that you have some form of insurance right away. When going in to make the purchase, bring your proof of insurance with you for easy verification. Some dealers may require that your insurance company fax the documentation over, but that shouldn't take long. Otherwise, you can buy a temporary insurance policy directly from the dealership.

• Your current policy will be adequate only if you carry collision and comprehensive, which are requirements for most car loans. The legal minimum requirement only covers liability. If you have collision and comprehensive, then you should be fine. Otherwise, you may need to invest in that temporary insurance policy until you can get in touch with your insurer and buy an adequate plan for your new set of wheels.

Now, if you're keeping your old car and buying a new one, you'll be looking to get it covered on a multiple car policy. Your insurer will offer you a grace period, but you'll want to get in touch with them as soon as you can to let them know that you have a new car. Making sure that you're covered is easy. You just need to keep your car insurance provider informed every step of the way.