Comments on: How long does it take for car insurance to start? Do all policies start as soon as you sign up?

By: RAP Q

RAP Q — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:20:42 +0000

I have only heard of that if they currently have insurance with another insurer. Ussually you tell the insurance company when you would like to have your policy start, but if you do not have insurance on your vehicle, it is not legal to drive it until your insurance has started. If your friend gets into a accident before the policy starts, then they will not get covered. Better be careful.

I’ve had good info about it here:

Take care.

By: Sophie B

Sophie B — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:27:30 +0000

Coverage usually starts when the agent agrees to insure you..

When I insured my hotrod I asked that question.. the agent said ” Why.. did you have an accident?”

By: car253

car253 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:44:53 +0000

Did you friend ask for a future date? Usually coverage starts immediately unless you ask otherwise. If your friend did not ask for a future date they need to tell that to the claims rep.

If your friend did ask for a future date he must have insurance somewhere else that covers him until Dec. If he doesn’t he made a big mistake. Insurance companies do not make you wait to cover you.

By: src50

src50 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:25:12 +0000

If that is true, then your friend was dumb to drive uninsured. It’s up to him/her to know the effective dates of the policy.

By: Insurance Geek-ette

Insurance Geek-ette — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:07:11 +0000

If you go to a local agent with binding authority, then the policy starts instantly.

Theoretically, it’s possible to set up a policy now to start next month. Practically, that only happens if you currently have a policy with a different company, and don’t want to start the new policy until the old one expires.

By: boosta

boosta — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:23:16 +0000

what the heck ive never heard of that
someones confused tell her to call her agent

By: EvilWoman0913

EvilWoman0913 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:26:48 +0000

All the insurance companies I’ve used have started the coverage on the day I told them to start. I’ve never been without insurance and every policy I’ve had since 1978, started on the 6th of November because when I changed companies I asked them to start the coverage the day the old policy expired. Did your friend have insurance prior to getting this new policy? If so, then more than likely he’s covered on the old policy. If not, then he should check with his agent because the coverage should have started the day he signed the papers and paid the premium (or at least a down payment).

By: Michael S

Michael S — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:47:03 +0000

All states do not allow you to drive unless you have current and valid insurance. Therefore, you can get insurance immediately – within hours. Something is fishy. Either he told the insurance company that he has a current policy somewhere else and they are waiting for his “current” policy to end in December or he is paying them in installments and they are waiting for his initial check to clear.
Unless your friend is very dumb, he is not telling you the whole story.

By: oracleofohio

oracleofohio — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:59:15 +0000

Coverage usually starts the day you sign the papers and hand them a check….

By: Worldly25

Worldly25 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:53:43 +0000

Your friend did not conduct business in an intelligent manner.
Coverage normally commences once you pay the bill and your old coverage is over. So when your friend applied he was not paying attention.