Can I get car insurance on the weekend?

Car dealerships sell more vehicles on weekends than during the week, and those buyers need immediate insurance coverage. Fortunately, you can get insurance for a new car even on weekends. (For more information, read our “Are car insurance companies open on weekends?“).

State laws and dealer and lender requirements mandate that you need insurance for your new car before you can legally drive it. Although local branches of car insurance companies may not have weekend hours, you can still reach sales agents by phone or online. With online car insurance quotes, you can purchase a policy and download policy documents and proof of coverage right away.

Read More: Buying Car Insurance for Your New Car

How can you get car insurance coverage on the weekend?

Car insurance companies understand people don’t always buy policies during regular weekday business hours. They offer other options so you can drive your car legally no matter when you buy insurance.

Some local insurance agencies offer car insurance through multiple carriers. Other car insurance companies, like Farmers, State Farm, and Allstate, don’t offer their policies through independent agents. Instead, you have to purchase your coverage directly from the company, although you can do so at a local branch.

Unfortunately, many local offices aren’t open on weekends or have limited hours. If you’re planning to buy a car over the weekend, you can call your local agency to see what options that company offers for new coverage.

Most larger insurance companies provide 24/7 phone assistance, although you might not receive the full range of services during weekends. Most of these customer service agents can give you a quote and sell you a policy.

Many people prefer the convenience of getting quotes and managing their car insurance policies online, regardless of the day of the week. You can access online auto insurance quotes at any time. You can also purchase a policy and access policy documents and proof of insurance coverage online.

If you already have a policy or know which company you’d like to purchase insurance from, you can go directly to the appropriate website. Most insurance companies also have apps you can download, making managing your policy even more convenient.

Buying car insurance online doesn’t take long — you can usually obtain coverage in a few minutes. Many find that comparing quotes and purchasing their car insurance policies online saves both time and money. It’s also the most convenient option because you can compare quotes any time of day or night.

Read more: Compare Weekend Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements

Can you add a car to an existing policy on the weekend?

People with existing car insurance policies have a distinct advantage over those who don’t. Your current insurance policy can automatically extend coverage to a new vehicle you purchase, even on weekends.

This automatic coverage doesn’t last long, so it’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after buying a new car. You should also know that your policy’s existing coverage limits will also apply to your new vehicle. One exception is that you’ll get full coverage for four days only if you don’t already have it on your policy.

If you’d like to officially add your new car to your existing policy, you don’t have to wait. You can call your company’s customer service line or make the changes online. For example, you can visit the website for State Farm to add a vehicle if you’re unable to reach them by phone.

Why do you need auto insurance policy documents immediately?

Every state in the U.S. has laws governing the types of car insurance and minimum coverage limits you need. To legally drive, you must purchase minimum liability insurance in your state. In addition, you can’t register a new vehicle in most states without providing proof of insurance coverage.

If a police officer stops your car for any reason, they’ll likely ask to see your proof of insurance. Amounts vary by state, but you’ll have to pay a fine for failing to provide that proof. In some cases, you’ll face more severe penalties.

Whether you finance your new car through the dealership or a loan from your bank or credit union, your lender will need proof of full coverage insurance before you can drive the car home. Accidents can happen at any time, and financial institutions need assurance that their investment is protected against loss if you’re in an accident.

Smartphone apps make it easy to show your insurance I.D. card to anyone who needs to see it. You can also access your policy through the company website and download the documents for printing. You can usually request that your company email or mail them to you.

Buying a car on the weekend doesn’t exempt you from state and lender requirements. You still need insurance coverage on your new vehicle before you can take possession.

What if you don’t have car insurance already?

If you haven’t owned a car before or don’t have car insurance now, you may want to compare rates from several companies before buying a policy. You can use online rates comparison tools at any time, including on the weekend.

Should you get insurance quotes before buying a car?

Insurance companies use many factors when deciding on your insurance rates. These factors include:

• The make, model, and year of the new vehicle
• Your age and gender
• Your driving history
• Your credit score
• Types of coverage and their limits
• Your ZIP code

Rate amounts can vary dramatically based on your data, and coverage for some cars costs more than others. You may be concerned about being able to afford your car insurance rates in addition to your car payments. In that case, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes for the vehicle you’re interested in before you buy it.

You can even obtain quotes for a few different vehicles so you can compare rate costs. The price of insurance might affect which car you buy. Comparing quotes online can save you time and money, especially on weekends since you may have trouble reaching individual sales agents.

Are you going car shopping this weekend?

Many people buy vehicles on Saturday or Sunday, and these buyers need car insurance. Even though you might not find local insurance offices open on weekends, you still have options for obtaining coverage for your new car. 

When you’re deciding where to buy car insurance, it’s a good idea to compare policies from several different insurance companies to get the best rates.

Read more:

• Are car insurance companies open on Saturdays?
• Are car insurance companies open on Sundays?

Case Studies: Getting Car Insurance on the Weekend

Case Study 1: Immediate Coverage for a New Car Purchase

John visits a car dealership on a Saturday and decides to buy a new car. Before he can drive the car off the lot, he needs insurance coverage. Knowing that local insurance offices may not be open on weekends, John decides to explore online options.

He uses his smartphone to compare car insurance quotes from different companies and quickly purchases a policy online. Within minutes, he receives his policy documents and proof of coverage, allowing him to legally drive his new car right away.

Case Study 2: Adding a Vehicle to an Existing Policy

Emily already has car insurance but wants to add a newly purchased vehicle to her policy. She buys the car on a Sunday and contacts her insurance company immediately. Although the local office is closed, Emily is relieved to find out that she can make changes to her policy online.

She visits her insurance company’s website, adds the new car to her existing policy, and receives updated policy documents. Emily can now drive her new car with the assurance that it is covered under her existing insurance policy.

Case Study 3: Obtaining Coverage With No Prior Insurance

Sarah is buying her first car and doesn’t have any prior car insurance. She plans to purchase a car over the weekend and wants to ensure she has insurance before driving it. Sarah uses an online rate comparison tool to obtain quotes from multiple insurance companies.

She compares the rates and coverage options and selects a policy that fits her budget. Sarah purchases the policy online and receives immediate policy documents and proof of coverage. She can now drive her new car with the necessary insurance in place.