Possibly stupid question re buying a used car and insurance

WifeofDJFLP

Hi

I am going car shopping this weekend- it's the first time I've bought a car and what I want to know is just how it works. I've got the go to a reputable dealer, haggle, check documents stuff all worked out but what I don't get is how insurance works. :embarasse

Am I correct in thinking i will have to buy the car, come home, arrange insurance then go back and pick the car up or is there something I don't know?

I'd be very grateful for any advice (other than "oh dear god don't let this woman walk into a car dealership, they'll eat her alive"):rotfl:

WifeofDJFLP

mark5

Thats how it usually works, get some insurance quotes before you start looking for a car.

Most garages now want a decent deposit aswell, the days of paying £100 are gone!

Lancastrian

As this is your first time for an insurance cover I would recommend that you go to a local insurance broker, possibly the one that covers your house. Get a good quote giving all the details of the car etc.When you accept and buy,the broker should issue a cover note which will give you immediate cover to drive the car home. The proper paperwork will follow in due course. Next year you can, if you wish, renew online and possibly get a better price. Good luck and happy motoring.

qetu1357

Sometimes when you buy the car you will get 7 days free cover.

This is normally only when you buy new or approved used cars though.

Snakeeyes21

If you get a HPI check done you can get 7 days free insurance, its always a good idea to do one anyway, even if buying from a dealer, the free insurance just makes the process a little bit easier.

http://www.hpicheck.com/driveaway.html

Driveaway is an insurance product from Aviva that entitles you to free 7 days comprehensive insurance when you do an HPI Check and then go onto purchase the vehicle.
How do I get 7 days FREE insurance?

When you have completed your HPI Check you will be given a number to call. It appears at the bottom of the HPI report.
Our operators will then take you through the set up process on the phone. They will also give you a no obligation quote for a full annual policy, which, of course you can take up if you wish.
You will be asked for an email address; this will be used to send your insurance cover note to you. You can also specify the date that you want cover to start so that you can make the most of the free 7 days cover.
Driveaway is designed to make it easier for you to buy a car and get behind the driving seat with as little hassle as possible.
Will I be expected to take out an annual
insurance policy if I use Driveaway?

Not at all. You will be given a no obligation quotation, but you can choose whether to take up the full annual policy or not.
Are there any restrictions?

You can benefit from up to 7 days' free insurance cover when you get a no obligation quote from Aviva. Provided the car you want to buy is a passenger car or light commercial vehicle (up to 3.5T) you can benefit from this special offer. Aviva will send you a cover note which you can use to insure your new vehicle.
Driveaway cover is available throughout the UK, plus the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, but not Northern Ireland. Applicants must be under 75 years and the offer is subject to standard acceptance criteria by Aviva. Only one 7 day free Driveaway insurance policy is permitted per customer per vehicle registration number.

Ebe_Scrooge

All good advice above. I would just add that if it's a reputable dealer you're buying from, what usually happens is that you "buy" the car but pick it up a few days later. Most kosher places will put the car through their workshop, tidy up any bits that need doing, put a new MOT on it if required and give it a good valet. This means that you know exactly what you've bought, and can spend a few days shopping around for insurance, then when you go back to pick the car up the insurance is all in place.

As has already been mentioned above, there are "drive-away" insurance deals available if you do want to buy and drive away on the same day, but every time I've bought a car I've done the "buy now collect next week" scenario. Hope this helps.

kBoothy

you have to have insurance before you leave the forecourt unless the trader is covering you, which i doubt as it his risk. if police stopped you, you will be had for driving without insurance. if you already have insurance you can add the vehicle as a temporary additional vehicle and then if you decide against it you can just let the insurance run out. you can do this for 1 day and the costs would be low

King_Nothing

I just bought the car and while he was getting the guy in to correct some minor scratches and MOT it, I insured it, and came back and picked it up.