How Long Does It Take to Get Auto Insurance?

Wondering how long it takes to get auto insurance? The good news is, it can take as little as 15 minutes, and unlike other types of insurance there is no waiting time for it to get activated. In fact, after purchasing your auto insurance it can either get activated almost immediately or within the same day.

How Long Does It Take to Get Auto Insurance?

Most auto insurance companies provide a quick, and hassle-free application procedure, and that’s why it’s fast and easy to get auto insurance within 15 mins or less. But the actual time it takes to get auto insurance depends on whether you have all the necessary documents and information.

If you don’t have the required document and information, or if you’re still in a dilemma which coverage you should purchase, it’s limit, and from which insurer you should purchase it from, it can take hours, days, or even weeks as it requires proper research, knowledge and understanding.

Additionally, if you haven’t submitted the required information, or documents your auto insurance application may either go on hold, or it can even get cancelled. So, that can cause further delay depending on the time to fulfill the necessary requirements.

For starters, it is essential to be aware of the steps required, and the necessary information, and documents that you need.

This article explains the steps to get auto insurance, when your coverage becomes active, and the factors that can cause delays, along with practical tips to speed up the process.

What are the Steps to Get Auto Insurance?

When it comes to getting auto insurance you are either a few clicks, or keystrokes away from getting a quote, and submitting the application form to get your auto insurance. Or you may even get auto insurance by consulting with an insurance agent over the phone.

If you prefer visiting the insurance company’s office, that’s also another option to consider. But as the process is so easy virtually, it’s not necessary to travel all the way to their office, yet if that’s what you prefer you can do that too.

Regardless of whichever way you prefer, the steps to get auto insurance are typically the same which is entailed as follows.

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Gathering Your Personal Information (3 to 5 minutes)

It is essential to ensure that you have all the personal information and documents required to apply for auto insurance, such as.

• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Choosing Auto Insurance Coverage and Limits (2 minutes to several hours)

This step is simple and yet the most crucial. You need to choose what type of auto insurance coverage you’re willing to purchase. Your options typically include the following.

• Minimum Auto Insurance: The minimum auto insurance is a mandatory auto insurance requirement that’s determined by your state’s local auto insurance laws. You must have at least the minimum auto insurance to own a vehicle, and to drive it legally.
• A Combination of Mandatory and Optional Auto Insurance Policies: You can combine mandatory auto insurance with optional coverages of your choice for added financial protection.
• Full Coverage Auto Insurance: Full coverage auto insurance includes the state mandatory coverage along with collision and comprehensive insurance. Based on your preference and requirement you can add other types of auto insurance coverage with customized limits that suit your needs.

Researching Online to Find Auto Insurance Companies Nearby (10 minutes to 1 hour)

When you’re shopping for auto insurance, it’s crucial to analyze at least a few insurance companies nearby, or within your state. You should explore their website to know the auto insurance coverage that they’re offering.

You can search online to identify how much do they charge per month or year. Although you will only find the average auto insurance rate, this will at least help you get an approximate estimate.

Based on that you can determine which auto insurance company to consult with. It’s recommended that you consult with at least 2-3 auto insurance companies to get their quotes, and with that you can negotiate and bid on an offer that’s more feasible for you.

Confirming Your Auto Insurance Policy (2 to 5 minutes)

Based on the quotes you have; you can decide which auto insurance company is providing the best rate within your budget. Now comes the easy part, all you need to do is call the insurer of your choice and confirm the auto insurance coverage you’re willing to purchase.

Once you, and your insurer come to an agreement with the insurance premium, you can finalize the auto insurance policy by submitting the required documents, choosing a starting date, and making the payment.

What Do I Need to Apply for Auto Insurance Quickly?

If you want to apply for auto insurance quickly, you will need to ensure that you have all the information and documents ready before contacting any auto insurance company. Here’s what you will need.

• Name of the Driver
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Occupation
• Contact Information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Marital Status
• Driver’s License Number
• Record of Driving History Including Accumulated Points, Accidents, Tickets, Fines, Suspensions and Other Legal Penalties like DUI
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Year, Make and Model of the Vehicle
• Annual Mileage
• Coverage Details of Your Current Auto Insurance Policy (if any)
• Your Insurance Claims History (if any)

When Does Auto Insurance Get Activated After the Application?

After filling out the auto insurance application form and submitting the necessary documents your auto insurance should get activated almost immediately after you make the payment.

In some cases, it might require a few hours, but your auto insurance should be activated within the same day or the start date specified in your application. To ensure whether your auto insurance has been activated you should call the insurance company to double check and ensure just to stay on the safe side.

Remember if your auto insurance isn’t activated, any accident that occurs will not be covered by the insurance, you will have to pay it out of your own pocket.

Circumstances That Can Cause Delay in Getting Your Auto Insurance

Delays in obtaining auto insurance can occur due to factors like incomplete applications, missing information, or a complicated claims history. Here are some common reasons for such delays.

• Incomplete Application: If your application is incomplete or misses out mandatory information then you will be prompted to provide it in due time, this can cause significant delay.
• You’ve recently moved: Whether you’ve moved to a different city or state, the insurance company will have to verify your new address, and where the car is kept. The verification procedure can take some time, ultimately leading to a delay.
• Your insurance claims history: If you’ve claimed auto insurance multiple times, particularly within the past three years, an underwriter may be assigned to evaluate whether you’re a high-risk driver. Depending on the verification process, your auto insurance application process may get delayed.
• High Risk Vehicle: If you have a sports car, or a classic car, the insurance company might take some time to evaluate the risks associated with covering such expensive vehicles.  So, depending on the verification, and evaluation process, there can be a substantial delay in getting your auto insurance.
• Poor Credit History: Most states in the US allow auto insurance companies to determine insurance eligibility and rates based on credit score. So, if you don’t have a good credit score, there can be a considerable delay in getting your auto insurance, especially because it raises concern whether you can pay your premiums on time.
• Payment Issues: If the transaction fails, then your auto insurance application will go on hold as the insurance company will prompt you to retry payment, or it can even get cancelled. Either way, you will have to make the payment again or restart the application procedure.
• Policy Lapses: If you were uninsured for a certain time, even if it’s a week or a month, this raises concern whether you’ll cancel your insurance any time in the future before its expiration. This can lead to an evaluation of your insurance history, and that’s another reason for the delay.

By being actively aware of these common causes of delay, you can be prepared to communicate more effectively with your insurance company and take effective steps to ensure that there isn’t any substantial delay in getting your auto insurance.

Final Remarks

Apparently, the amount of time it can take depends mostly on you. It depends on your insurance history, driving records, license status, and of course the mandatory paperwork where you need to submit the required information. The final confirmation comes down to the payment, so you also need to make sure the payment is successful.

If you can ensure all that, and if there aren’t any issues with your insurance history, license status, driving records, or any legal boundaries then it’s possible to get your auto insurance in less than 15 mins.

Yes, it’s that easy! You can either fill up the insurance company’s online application, or you can talk to an insurance agent over the phone to acquire your auto insurance. So, if you’re interested in purchasing auto insurance and having it activated within the same day, please contact us for a free consultation, and a quote!

FAQ

How fast can I get an auto insurance policy?

You can get your auto insurance policy typically within a day if you’ve provided all the required information correctly and if you have made the payment successfully. And, if you don’t have any underlying issues such as multiple insurance claims, a high-risk car, poor credit score, along with legal penalties such as tickets, fines and license suspensions etc.

How fast does auto insurance kick in?

Your auto insurance should get activated as soon as the payment has been made. Sometimes it can take up to a few hours to process the application and confirm the payment. However, if any issue arises then it can be delayed by a few days, or more.

How long does it take to get auto insurance card?

You will instantly get your auto insurance card via email once the payment gets approved by the insurance company. You can print that and carry it with you while you’re driving. The physical auto insurance card will be delivered to your address by mail within 5 to 7 business days.