Car insurance/ownership question

[nyc 0]

When you buy a car, can you change the title to your name but can you leave the insurance under the previous car owner's name?

As you can guess my insurance rate would be way higher as I have never owned a car before...

Thanks!

[Artegal 1]

My experience with car insurance, and be advised that car insurance law is regulated by each state, and then each car insurance company has its own policies and rules on how they comply with the laws and do business, with that said--the only way that I was able to do what you are asking was if some of the following conditions existed:

One--You the car owner and the policy holder live in the same household.

Two--You the car owner and the policy holder are married.

Three--You the car owner and the policy holder are related, in that you the car owner are a dependent child of the policy holder.

Four--You the car owner are a co-owner with the policy holder--that is that the Title list both your names as the car owner.

Five--The policy holder aggreed to accept you the car owner on his/her policy.

But you really need to put this sort of question to the insurance company that you have the policy with.

Edited June 26, 2006 by Artegal

[*Robert* 2]

I don't see how, since when the previous owner sells the car, they will no longer want to keep insurance on that vehicle.

[Artegal 1]

I believe the OP is talking about a change of ownership between a friend or family member.

Also I would like to address the last line in OP. You believe that your insurance rate will be higher because you have never owned a car before--this is not really a true statement.

Age, driving record, credit history, home ownership, type of car you insure, where you live, how often you drive the car, what kind of driving you will be doing, how far you will be driving, if you are using the car for work or pleasure, the value of the car, your claim history, and previous insurance coverage history, level of coverage, amount of deductible, and your marital status determine your insurance rate.

Edited June 26, 2006 by Artegal

[Toledospod 0]

I believe the OP is talking about a change of ownership between a friend or family member.

Also I would like to address the last line in OP. You believe that your insurance rate will be higher because you have never owned a car before--this is not really a true statement.

Age, driving record, credit history, home ownership, type of car you insure, where you live, how often you drive the car, what kind of driving you will be doing, how far you will be driving, if you are using the car for work or pleasure, the value of the car, your claim history, and previous insurance coverage history, level of coverage, amount of deductible, and your marital status determine your insurance rate.

So Artegal, with regards to your last paragraph, if you have no credit history in the US(as I won't having just got my PR last month)does that make it harder to get a good deal on car insurance?

[Artegal 1]

Its one of many factors. I would shop around--you will find that each company really varies in the premium that they charge. Also remember that even if you go with the first insurance company that gives you a good rate--don't be afraid to take your business elsewhere at a later date. Normally the policy will run for six months. The insurance company will do credit and driving record checks normally every 6 months--sometimes more often sometimes less often. So after you have established some good credit and have driven for a while without any traffic tickets or accidents then renegotiate or go elsewhere. Always shop around. And never let your insurance lapse.

[Fandango 1,439]

I'd say short answer: no

Longer answer: isn't that insurance fraud?

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[Elizabethnhenry 0]

I agree with Artegal -- shop around. Don't assume your rate will be high. Henry shopped around a lot and in the end chose one particular insurance company, because they gave the most credit for having had a driver's license in another country. The rate he got was excellent!

[Garfield fan 0]

I agree with Artegal -- shop around. Don't assume your rate will be high. Henry shopped around a lot and in the end chose one particular insurance company, because they gave the most credit for having had a driver's license in another country. The rate he got was excellent!

I second that. When hubby first bought car for me, I didn't have any credit history, I even hadn't had US Driving license. I got a bit higher rate for the first 6 months, but they reduce it by around $50 every 6 months since I never filed any claims and have clean driving records. Now my rate is about the same as every one else's.

[mawilson 2,133]

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