I’m looking to buy a car at Carmax, but they require me to have car insurance to test drive or make a purchase. I haven’t had a car for a few years, so I currently don’t have insurance. I know about “non-owner insurance,” but Carmax told me I can’t use that and need a standard auto insurance policy. What are my options?
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You can’t insure a car while test driving it because you don’t own it yet. However, when you’re ready to buy, choose 2 or 3 vehicles you’re seriously considering. Get insurance quotes using their VINs to compare rates. Once you’ve made your choice, you can quickly finalize the insurance process online or over the phone when you’re ready to complete the purchase. The whole process should take about 10-15 minutes.
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It’s a good idea to speak with an insurance agent for a quote. Some insurers may require at least six months of prior coverage, which could make finding insurance more difficult or expensive. Costs can vary based on your specific situation, so consulting with an agent will give you the most accurate information.
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Decide on the car you’re getting, then purchase insurance for it. Just call your insurer and provide the make, model, and mileage. You don’t need the VIN right away; you can add it later.
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Is it possible for someone to add you as a driver for a month?
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I know someone whose car I’m borrowing, and they might be open to letting me do that.
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If you frequently borrow someone’s car, you should be included on their insurance policy. If you get into an accident and the insurance company can demonstrate that you regularly drove the car but weren’t listed on the policy, they might deny the claim. This could leave your friend in a difficult position, and they might even sue you for any financial damages resulting from the accident.
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You don’t need insurance to test drive a car; that would be excessive. However, you will need insurance to drive the car off the lot as the new owner.
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Here is the response.
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I’d recommend calling a local agent to have them set it up for you.
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You can get insurance that covers you as a driver rather than being tied to a specific vehicle. When I was looking into buying a new car, I called my insurance company (since I had given up my old car a few years ago due to tough times), and they told me that instead of getting insurance tied to a specific car, I could opt for a policy that covers me as a driver. Reach out to your insurance company (if you’ve had insurance before) or shop around to see if you can find a policy that offers coverage without requiring you to own a car.
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I’m not sure how eager the car salespeople are at CarMax, but at a typical dealership, it feels like you could just hop in the passenger seat and have the salesperson handle the test drive for you.
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Are you certain you need insurance to test drive? I only got insurance once I decided to purchase a specific car.