Do I need car insurance to register my car?

Many people ask, “Do I need insurance to register my car?” Let’s find out.

Registering and insuring a vehicle go hand-in-hand in almost every state. But do you need car insurance before or after the registration of your vehicle? Coverage is typically required first, before registration.

In other words, registering a car without insurance is not possible. Typically you’ll need to provide proof of insurance coverage to your state motor vehicle department.

Even states that don’t mandate minimum liability coverage from a licensed insurance provider require proof of insurance. Such states still require individual proof of financial ability to pay accident claims. It’s not a good idea to get caught driving without insurance.

This is why it’s important to find an insurance carrier or two that you feel you can trust even before you set your eyes on buying a vehicle.

To make sure you have the coverage you need to drive legally and be able to register your vehicle, enter your ZIP code to start comparing car online insurance quotes from America’s top providers for free.

Summary Stats

Car Insurance and Vehicle Registration

You already know you need car insurance in order to legally drive, but what comes first? Car insurance or registration? As we noted above, you do typically need insurance to register a car, so check out these four proven facts that demonstrate the necessity of car insurance to register your vehicle.

#1 – You Must Have Insurance to Register Your Vehicle

Before a vehicle owner is able to register his or her car, proof of insurance is usually necessary. Usually, an insurance card or a printout detailing the type of coverage you have purchased is adequate.

The local Department of Motor Vehicles will need to see that the proof of insurance supplied is valid, lists the vehicle you want to register, and provides the minimum amount of coverage.

It is not typically legal to register a vehicle unless you have a car insurance policy.

Even temporary car insurance coverage will work if you are able to fax or mail in a copy of your permanent car insurance policy within 30 days.

By tying registration and auto insurance obligations together, states theoretically reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road. However, statistics show that in most cases where uninsured drivers are caught, a lapsed policy is the reason for being uninsured.

#2 – You Will Face Penalties if Caught Driving Without Insurance

The cost of car accidents can be extremely high, so states take the matter of carrying car insurance very seriously. Almost all of them will immediately suspend a car’s registration once it has been determined that there is no insurance coverage.

Some states, like New York, for example, give drivers a short period of time to surrender the car’s license plates once insurance coverage has lapsed. A failure to do so will result in suspension of your driver’s license.

Find the penalty in your state for a driving uninsured first offense in this table.

Penalty for Driving Uninsured (First Offense) by State

In addition, most states also levy punitive fines to drivers caught on the road without adequate car insurance. In some cases, the fines are accompanied by a penalty period in which the car can neither be insured nor registered.

The idea behind such punitive measures is to discourage repeat offenses among those who would allow their insurance coverage to lapse. Such penalties still apply even in cases where you might be insuring and registering a vehicle titled in someone else’s name.

Read more:

• What happens if I drive my car with a suspended registration?
• Is it illegal to own a vehicle without insurance?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Hawaii?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Kentucky?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Louisiana?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Mississippi?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Montana?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Nevada?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Oklahoma?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Washington?
• What is the penalty for driving without insurance in West Virginia?

#3 – The DMV Will Be Notified of an Insurance Lapse

As stated earlier, it’s not possible under most circumstances to register a vehicle without proof of insurance coverage. As for those cases where drivers allow insurance coverage to lapse, states track this through a variety of means.

Some rely on ID cards compared to routine reports from car insurance companies licensed to do business in their state. Others utilize an electronic database that is regularly updated and can be accessed by both police and the DMV (we’ll talk about this in greater detail later).

Check out the following facts about uninsured drivers in the U.S. from the Insurance Information Institute:

• The national average of uninsured drivers is 13 percent
• Maine has the lowest rate at 4.5 percent
• Florida has the highest rate at 26.7 percent

New York has the second-lowest rate at six percent. New York accomplishes this through a mandatory electronic system that all licensed insurance carriers must use. Insurance provider computers are linked to the system so every time a policy is changed the state is notified.

As soon as an insurance policy is allowed to lapse, the state DMV computer automatically generates a letter that is sent to the driver to encourage corrective action.

Read More: Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Don’t Report to the DMV When They Cancel a Customer

#4 – There Is No Fool-Proof Way to Make Sure Every Car on the Road Is Insured

Under the current registration and insurance system, there is no absolutely fool-proof method of making sure that every car on the road has insurance coverage.

Some experts claim that the current system could be improved by turning over the registration and licensing responsibilities to insurance providers.

One theory is that the insurance companies could not issue license plates until owners have insured a vehicle.  At the end of the policy, or at the time of lapse, those plates would no longer be valid.

Though privatizing the registration and licensing process does have its advantages, it still doesn’t prevent drivers from allowing insurance coverage to lapse while leaving the plates on the vehicle.

In order for this system to work, a method of enforcement needs to be adopted. Something similar to bank repossession for a defaulted loan could work well.

If insurance companies were given the authority to repossess license plates after an insurance lapse, the system could probably reduce the number of uninsured drivers to a negligible number.

Maintaining appropriate car insurance is a legal responsibility as well as a social one. Not only are the potential fines and penalties for driving uninsured costly for you, but the costs incurred by other drivers in an accident you cause can be even higher.

Before heading down to the DMV to register your vehicle, find the best car insurance rates in your area by entering your ZIP code in our free tool.

How to Register and Insure Your Vehicle

Can you register a car without insurance? Typically no. So before operating your motor vehicle, you must purchase insurance coverage

• You must also register your vehicle with the state in which you live
• Operating a motor vehicle on any public road without proper registration and insurance is illegal
• The only exception to this rule applies to farm vehicles that may need to move from one piece of land to the next

Owning your first car can indeed be an exciting venture. But simply making a purchase is not enough to allow you to start driving.

You first have to procure insurance for your car, as well as register it with the state. Doing these things can be somewhat time-consuming, but both are usually easy tasks.

Outside of the few exceptions, you are risking serious penalties, and possibly even jail time, if you’re caught driving a vehicle without correct registration and insurance.

When it’s time to find insurance on that new car, you can shop for car insurance quotes online by entering your ZIP code above.

Do you have to have insurance to register a car?

Just about every state requires that drivers carry a minimum amount of liability insurance on any vehicle they register. But do you need to insure a car before registering it? Yes.

In states that don’t require a traditional insurance policy, drivers must still file a form attesting to the fact that they have the financial resources to qualify as self-insured.

In either case, this must be done before your vehicle can be registered. You may be wondering, do I need proof of insurance to register my car? Yes, you’ll need to take with you a copy of your insurance certificate when you go to the DMV to register the car.

If you allow your coverage to lapse, you may also be required to surrender your registration in some states. In order to get your registration back, you will have to once again procure auto insurance and provide a certificate of proof.

In some states, driving without insurance can mean hefty fines, a one-year suspension of your driver’s license, and significantly higher insurance rates for at least a couple of years.

Read more: What does a car insurance certificate look like?

Once I have my insurance, what do I do?

Most states require that first-time registrations be done in person at a local branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles. You will need to take with you all appropriate paperwork including sales receipt, registration application, proof of car insurance, and anything else your state might require.

If you’re not sure what you’ll need, contact your local DMV branch before your visit.

Be aware that some states require drivers to prove their residency through a utility bill or some other piece of mail with the correct address on it.

At your local DMV office, workers will examine your paperwork to make sure everything is in order. If it is, they will print your registration, give you license plates, and collect the registration fee.

In states where license plates stay with a vehicle for its lifetime, you’ll only receive new plates if you’ve purchased a car from out of state or from a dealer that does not provide plates. All other vehicles in those states will simply be provided with a new registration card.

How long do I have to register my vehicle?

Laws differ between the states regarding many aspects of motor vehicle ownership, usage, and registration. When it comes to time limits for registration, some states have them while others don’t.

For example, in the state of California, you must register your vehicle within ten days of the date of purchase. Failure to do so will result in late fees being assessed when you eventually do decide to register it.

New York, on the other hand, has no time limit for vehicle registrations following a purchase.

If you’re talking about moving into a new state rather than purchasing a new vehicle, things are a bit different. Almost every state has a specific time limit after which you are required to register your vehicle in that state.

Using California as an example again, you are considered a state resident after 30 days of uninterrupted time in California. You must register your out-of-state vehicle with the California DMV immediately upon reaching the 30-day requirement.

There are other states whose time limits are very similar to California. On the other hand, there are others with time limits that are much more forgiving. In a couple of southern states, for example, residency requirements don’t kick in for 60 or 90 days.

This gives you more time to register your vehicle in the new state. Rest assured, however, that if you live in a new state long enough to establish residency, and you don’t change your registration, you could be fined if you’re ever pulled over for a violation.

Whether you’re moving to a new state or staying where you are, you can find reliable online car insurance quotes by entering your ZIP code in our free tool.

Should I get a car registration or insurance first?

Both auto insurance and car registration are required to legally drive in the U.S. However, do you need insurance to register a car? Or do you need to register a car before insuring it? These are great questions, because while both insurance and registration are required, sometimes it can be confusing about which comes first.

In general, you’ll need insurance first because most states require proof of insurance as part of the registration process.

The national average rate of auto insurance is $1,427/year or $118/mo.

• Car registration is used so the government knows who legally owns the car
• Car insurance helps protect drivers from financial burden when an accident occurs
• In most cases, the minimum amount of car insurance coverage allowed in a state is not enough to help in a serious accident

Car registration and an auto insurance policy are both requirements to operate a vehicle legally in most states. Registering the vehicle allows the government to track who the legal owner is. Car insurance is bought by the vehicle owner to provide financial protection if they are involved in an accident.

Enter your ZIP code to start comparing free car insurance quotes from multiple companies now.

Registering a Vehicle

A person who has recently bought a vehicle or had ownership transferred to themselves will need to register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for their state.

Individuals who have recently moved to a new state are also required to register the vehicle with the DMV after they arrive.

Contact the DMV office to find out what the time limit is for new residents of the state.

Are you wondering, “What do I need to register a car?” When a car is bought through a dealership, the dealer may submit the title and registration documents to the DMV on the new owner’s behalf. Private sales and title transfers are handled differently, and the owner is required to go to the DMV office to submit the required paperwork themselves.

Read more: Do you need car insurance to transfer a car title?

The new owner will be required to show their driver’s license, as well as the title document.

A bill of sale, which may need to be notarized, is also required.

To find out exactly what documents the new owner of a vehicle is required to produce at registration, contact the local DMV office.

Do I need proof of insurance to register a car? Do I buy insurance before registering a car, or after? While car insurance is required to legally operate a motor vehicle, proof of insurance is not always required to simply register the vehicle (it depends on where you live). When the owner signs the registration document, this action indicates the vehicle is properly insured.

When you visit the DMV, make sure they are not sharing your private information with people they shouldn’t be. In a recent study, we found several states’ DMVs were selling your informationto private third parties in unethical ways.

Buying Car Insurance

Each state sets a minimum level of insurance coverage that must be purchased for a vehicle. In many parts of the United States, drivers are only legally required to carry liability insurance, which pays for medical bills, lost wages, and funeral expenses for the occupants of the other vehicle involved in an accident.

There are some states in which drivers can prove financial ability to cover the costs of an accident, rather than purchase insurance. However, this is not feasible for most drivers.

Driving without car insurance, or the appropriate proof of ability to pay, is not only punishable as a criminal offense, but it can lead to serious financial consequences for the vehicle owner.

Without this type of protection, the owner is personally responsible for damages caused in an accident.

The car insurance put in place on a vehicle is a contract between the vehicle owner and the insurer. As long as the owner has bought at least the minimum level of coverage required by law, the state is not concerned with how much coverage they are carrying.

Read More: Buying Car Insurance for Your New Car

Getting the Best Car Insurance Coverage

Car owners need to do their homework to find the right level of coverage for their needs and to get the best possible rate.

Buying the minimum amount required by law will satisfy the state, but may not be sufficient protection if a serious accident occurs.

Medical expenses alone can add up very quickly, and a policy that pays out a relatively small amount may not be the best choice.

Coverage rates are something that most car insurance buyers consider before making a purchase. To give you a baseline, take a look at this table to see the average annual rates by state for different types of car insurance coverage.

Average Annual Insurance Rates by Coverage Type in Each State

There is a definite balancing act involved in getting the right level of protection without paying too much for it. One way to get this balance right is to shop around and compare offerings from several insurance companies before making a final decision.

The Internet makes this process relatively quick and convenient for car insurance consumers.

When you are buying a car, you want to get the necessary paperwork for car registration and car insurance coverage out of the way quickly so you can start driving it.

Do I need insurance to register a car? Usually yes, so take care of purchasing a policy first, before heading to the DMV.

Don’t spend more time than you need to search for the right insurance coverage when the insurance tool on this page is available to help you compare rates from different providers.

Can I register my car without insurance?

Every state has its own vehicle registration rules when it comes to an owner registering a new car. In some states, the Department of Motor Vehicles has done away with the requirement to show your proof of car insurance to the agent as the vehicle is being registered.

However, if you’re wondering, do I register a car first or insure it? The answer is that you should probably insure it first, so you can legally drive it on the road.

Every state has its own vehicle registration rules when it comes to an owner registering a new car. If you have just recently moved to a new state or you are planning on buying a new car, it is your responsibility to set aside time to learn about the registration process. Can I register a car without insurance? You’ll need to check your state laws to find out.

In most states, you will be required to present your personal identification, your proof of residency, and proof of vehicle ownership to register a car in your name. This will help you avoid delays and possible monetary penalties.

Read this guide to car insurance and obtaining your registration so that you are prepared and protected as a vehicle owner.

Do you need to have coverage to register a car?

In many states, the Department of Motor Vehicles has done away with the requirement to show your proof of car insurance to the agent as the vehicle is being registered.

While the agent might not ask to see proof of coverage just to hand over your plates, that does not mean that you do not need to have coverage in place.

A majority of states do require that you have coverage, they just verify your coverage in another way.

State Car Insurance Requirements

All states have some form of compulsory insurance or financial responsibility law in place. These laws may change every couple of years, but they are essential to keeping drivers and pedestrians safe on public roadways.

If you are new to a state or you have never brushed up on the requirements, you should set aside some time to learn about the minimum insurance requirements set by your state officials.

Some states may only require you to have liability insurance and others may require more. Many times, coverage requirements depend upon what type of system is used for car insurance injury claims.

What do we mean by that? Keep reading to see a breakdown of the two types of systems widely used in the U.S. today.

What are tort systems?

A tort auto insurance system is a fault-based system where the person deemed negligent for third-party injuries in a crash is responsible for paying for the bills and other costs.

Currently, a majority of states operate under tort systems. In these states, all drivers must have at least Bodily Injury and Property Damage coverage, but some may also require Uninsured Motorist and Medical Payments.

What are no-fault systems?

There are currently 12 states that have some form of no-fault car insurance system. With so many different variations of no-fault insurance, there is no real pure system in place.

When there is a no-fault system, it is not the negligent party who pays for the medical bills. Instead, every person has insurance that will pay for their own medical bills when they are injured in a collision.

This is why all policyholders must have Personal Injury Protection that pays for medical transport, treatment, and rehabilitation costs.

Some states will also require a minimum amount of liability coverage to protect you if you cross state lines. These are partially no-fault states, where you may buy more coverage for the right to sue for pain and suffering in more serious accidents.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage Types

Transportation agencies will only verify that a vehicle owner carries what is required by law and not the optional types of coverage that are offered.

While having state minimum limits for coverage will satisfy the law, this basic type of policy does not ensure you are protected.

It is very important that you compare the types of coverage available, price different limits, and build yourself a policy that really passes the burden of paying for claims on to the carrier.

Here are some other types of coverage you can buy:

• Higher limits of liability
• Medical payments
• Comprehensive cover for your vehicle
• Collision cover for your vehicle
• Uninsured Motorist
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

Shop around and talk to licensed insurance agents to help you determine the best coverage mix for your needs and lifestyle.

How does the DMV verify that you have coverage?

Do you have to register your car before getting insurance? Can you get a license plate without insurance? As we’re already noted, it depends on where you live. If you’re in one of the states that does not require you to present proof of coverage, you might wonder how your coverage is verified.

After all, you do not have to be pulled over by a police officer just to get caught being uninsured.

Now, with all of the different database systems that are used by agencies and insurers, the DMV can request your proof of coverage and determine when a policy cancels while the registration is still active.

What is the electronic verification system?

In an effort to combat the high rates of uninsured motorists, many state officials are passing laws that require insurance carriers to actually report the policy status of each vehicle that they insure to the DMV electronically.

This is reported using an electronic verification system which both the DMV and the carrier have access to.

This updates the status of your registration soon after the DMV finds out that you do not have an active car insurance policy.

If you are making an appointment to register your vehicle and you do not yet have insurance, it is time to start shopping. The best way to shop the price of coverage is to compare the rates with many different licensed carriers.

If you want to comparison shop without contacting several companies directly, use an online rate quote tool and enter your information.

The Bottom Line for Car Insurance Vehicle Registration

In most cases, you’re required to provide proof of insurance when registering your vehicle. If you live in a state that does not require this, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need insurance for your vehicle, it just means that you won’t need current proof at the time of registration. However, any lapse in insurance coverage will be reported, so make sure you end up with insurance sooner rather than later.

Regardless of whether or not proof of insurance is necessary to register your vehicle, you should always maintain coverage that at least meets the minimum liability requirements set by your state (though it’s a good idea to purchase a policy with additional coverage).

Ready to get the coverage you need so you can register your vehicle? Start comparing car insurance rates now by entering your ZIP code in our free tool.

Case Studies: Examples of How Car Insurance is Utilized for Registering a Car

Case Study 1: Liability Insurance

John recently purchased a new car and wanted to register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In his state, liability insurance is required to register a vehicle. John contacted an insurance provider and obtained the minimum liability coverage as mandated by the state.

He received a proof of insurance card from the insurer, which he presented to the DMV during the registration process. The DMV verified the insurance coverage, and John was able to successfully register his car.

Case Study 2: Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Sarah had a car that she had been driving without insurance. She was involved in an accident that resulted in significant damage to her vehicle. Realizing the importance of insurance, she decided to purchase comprehensive collision coverage before registering her car.

Sarah contacted an insurance company and obtained a policy that included comprehensive coverage for damage caused by events other than accidents (such as theft or natural disasters) and collision coverage for accidents involving her vehicle. With her insurance policy in hand, Sarah visited the DMV, presented her proof of insurance, and registered her car.

Case Study 3: Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Michael had experienced an incident where he was hit by an uninsured driver while driving his previous car. Determined to protect himself from such situations, he decided to purchase uninsured motorist coverage when he bought a new car. Uninsured motorist coverage provides financial protection in case of an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance.

Michael obtained the coverage from an insurance provider and presented the proof of insurance to the DMV during the registration process. His insurance coverage included the required liability coverage as well as uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring his financial protection on the road.

Case Study 4: Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Emily moved to a state that had a no-fault insurance system in place. In this state, drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage provides medical expenses and other benefits to policyholders regardless of who caused the accident.

Emily contacted an insurance company and purchased a policy that included the required PIP coverage. She provided the proof of insurance to the DMV during the registration process, along with other necessary documents. Emily’s car registration was completed, and she was ready to drive legally in her new state.

Case Study 5: Additional Coverage Options

Mark, a car enthusiast, purchased a high-value luxury vehicle. Understanding the potential risks associated with such a valuable asset, he decided to go beyond the minimum requirements and obtain additional coverage options.

Mark contacted an insurance provider specializing in luxury vehicles and customized his insurance policy to include comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and increased liability limits. He provided comprehensive policy details and proof of insurance to the DMV during the registration process, ensuring that his expensive vehicle was adequately protected.