Buying a new car is an exciting time, but it can also feel like a bit of a minefield where insurance is concerned. With this guide, we’ll explore the different insurance options for buying a new car, so you can drive away feeling confident.
Do I need insurance when I buy a car?
It’s a legal requirement that all cars on the road must be insured, no exceptions. This means that you need to have insurance to drive your new car away from the dealership, so it’s definitely worth sorting this out before you go and pick it up.
Under no circumstances should you ever drive a car without insurance. If stopped by the police, you could be charged a fixed penalty fine of £300 and get six penalty points on your license. However, if the case goes to court, you could get an unlimited fine or be disqualified from driving. The police also have the power to seize or destroy the uninsured vehicle.
How do you get insurance when buying a car?
There are a few different ways to insure your new car before you take it on the road. If you’re selling or part-exchanging your old car before you buy a new one, you need to let your insurer know. They will then give you the option to either amend your existing policy to your new car or cancel it and start with a fresh one.
If you’re buying a new car but not replacing an old one, your best option is to get drive away insurance. This means that you’ll be insured from the moment you sit behind the wheel of your new car.
What does drive away insurance mean?
Drive away insurance gets your new car home safely and legally. It’s a form of temporary car insurance that allows you to get behind the wheel and drive your new car home, before you’ve had chance to commit to an annual insurance policy.
Our new car insurance cover can be used for an hour, a day, or up to 28 days, giving you plenty of time to shop around for annual insurance policies. It’s incredibly quick to sort out, so you’ll be on the road in your new wheels in no time.
With every drive away car insurance policy, you get:
- Quick quotes
- Instant cover
- Comprehensive cover
- A separate policy with no impact on No Claims Discounts
- Flexible durations to suit your needs
Does drive away insurance affect my other insurance policies?
As a standalone policy, your drive away insurance will have no impact on any existing policy you may have. It also won’t affect your no claims bonus, which can be really helpful as you’ll be buying an annual policy soon.
Insurance when buying a car from a dealer
When buying a new car, you’ll need an insurance policy to get it off the forecourt. Many car dealerships offer their own brand of drive away insurance, and while this may sound like the more convenient option, this often means it’s more expensive and inflexible. You might even end up paying extra for cover you don’t need.
Insurance when buying a car online
With the growing trend of buying a car through sites like eBay and Gumtree, many private sellers can’t offer insurance alongside the vehicle. This is where drive away insurance is important, as you may not know the car’s history.
How much is drive away insurance?
Like all insurance policies, the overall cost of drive away insurance is dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
- Your occupation
- Your age
- Your amount of no claims discount
- The type of vehicle you want to insure
- Where the vehicle will be stored when not in use
How soon does cover start with drive away insurance?
Good news, impulse buyers! Cover for your drive away insurance begins straight away, so there’s no waiting around to drive your new wheels. Policy documents are emailed to you directly for your convenience. For most people, getting a quote for your drive away insurance takes just a few minutes and only requires some basic information about the driver and vehicle.
