Department of Transportation just as well be in a foreign language!

Does anyone really understand all the FAQs?

The question someone asked me today was:

What do I do about insurance and purchasing a car in a state I don’t live in?

Many people do not understand that when you register a car, the insurance must match the registration. Every state wants to be sure you are in compliance with the state laws.  EVERY state requires you to carry liability insurance on a car you are driving on their roads. HOWEVER, each state determines how strict or lax they are in enforcing these laws.

               This may be why you get so many different answers when you ask someone. 

Getting on the Department of Transportation’s website?  Well, it can be so hard to find the answer on those web sites!  They just need to spell it out in human language, simply-- “You need an insurance card for the car you are registering in the state you are registering. Don’t waste our time unless you have one in hand!” I’m sure the department employees go through this every day; that may explain why some are devoid of human emotion or patience.

               Well I don’t blame them. It seems so easy to them. They do it EVERY DAY!

Let me ask you--how many times do you register your car in another state? How many times a year do you need an ID card from another state?  I’m guessing not very often!

Just in case this does happen to you, here are the steps:

·        Determine which car you are going to buy

·        Tell your insurance agent the year, make, model, odometer & VIN

·        Pay the first month’s payment on the insurance (You should always expect there will be an initial payment for the insurance) over the phone

·        Get the Insurance card by email or fax (depending on where you are and how fast you need it and what the agent’s requirements are for delivery)

Once you have the Insurance card, you have insurance on that car. This is a Temporary card; expect a permanent one in the mail in about 30-60 days. If you do not get one, you must contact your agent, ASAP!