Can I Backdate Insurance to Cover my New Car from Purchase?

I bought a new car and kept it several days at home because I knew that my current carrier insures it automatically for up to 30 days. Can I ask them to show that the policy started from the date of auto purchase if I buy now? I don’t want to explain to DMV why it didn’t start earlier, if they ask.

If they are already protecting the car automatically within an existing coverage they may consider the request to backdate insurance for the new car from the date you purchased. It would only be available for certain days. After that you will need to include it in the existing policy or buy a separate one. If you are asking it so that they can give you a proof you are asking them to start including it properly. That would require premium payment whereas automatic coverage for a new car may be provided free or for a small charge until you make suitable arrangement.

It is highly advisable to check alternative quotes for the new auto before going with the current carrier. Rates are usually different for each type of automobile that affects their competitiveness. That is why you need to check if there is another company with cheaper quotes for the same coverage.

Can Car Insurance Be Backdated?

In the above scenario, the vehicle was already included under a policy for another auto. It is totally different when you want to buy backdated vehicle insurance coverage for a vehicle that wasn’t included anywhere. This would normally be too much to ask of anyone, especially if they have no clue who you are, what you have been doing with it and why now.

Hardly any company will stick the neck out for you because they are responsible for any past damages and incidents if they agree to an earlier start date. Even if an agent somehow can do it they wouldn’t do it for anybody. It is illegal to sell backdated policies in a few states and therefore it is fraud to do so. The agent would be charged for a crime and lose his/her license. Even it isn’t a crime; an agent can lose the practicing license if the company learns about it.

There is a huge moral issue with the whole idea. Who would want to buy it in the first place if they know they could get whenever something happens to them or their possessions? That is why the practice of backdating auto insurance policies is not acceptable everywhere and even illegal in some state. 

Certainly, you need at least liability to drive or keep the automobile on public roads regardless of it being stationary or moving. As explained above you cannot expect someone to bail you out with a fabricated proof if you get caught driving without it. That is why you must at least get liability for any vehicle as soon as you are responsible for it. Furthermore, you should make sure that you don’t have a lapse by mistake or otherwise.

If you are struggling with the payments you should shop around to find the most affordable deal before taking any chances. Also, you can look for state provided plans that can be cheaper than others, if you have low or no income. And they may accept high risk drivers.