What Is the State Farm New Car Grace Period?
Last Updated on March 10, 2023
If you have insurance with State Farm and buy a new car, you should have a 14-day grace period.
State Farm, like most insurers, has a grace period on new vehicle purchases. You can buy a new car and get immediate coverage through State Farm before officially notifying the company.
Keep reading to learn everything you need about State Farm’s new car grace period and how it works.
State Farm Has a 14-Day Grace Period on New Cars
Most car insurance companies offer a brief grace period on new car purchases. Like many of its competitors, State Farm gives you 14 days to inform the company of a new vehicle purchase.
Generally, it’s in your best interest to notify State Farm when you purchase a new vehicle. However, you officially have 14 days to tell State Farm about your new car.
During the grace period, State Farm will automatically cover your new car with your existing insurance policy. Your new car receives the same type of coverage as your old car.
If you only had liability insurance on your old vehicle, for example, you may only have liability coverage on your new vehicle, which may be a bad idea. If you have full coverage car insurance, then your new vehicle has collision, comprehensive, and liability coverage.
Check your State Farm insurance policy to verify the 14-day grace period and check available coverages. Or, contact State Farm to check how your policy covers new vehicles.
How State Farm’s Grace Period Works
State Farm’s grace period works similarly to the grace periods of other insurers:
- If you currently have auto insurance with State Farm, you can buy a new vehicle and immediately get coverage.
- State Farm automatically extends your existing policy to your new vehicle for a 14-day grace period.
- At some point during the 14-day grace period, you need to notify State Farm of your new vehicle. State Farm may ask for the make, model, mileage, or VIN.
- If you have not contacted State Farm within 14 days, your vehicle is no longer insured, and you may be driving illegally without insurance.
- Your dealership may require proof of coverage before driving your new vehicle off the lot – like a current State Farm insurance policy.
When to Notify State Farm About a New Vehicle
Most insurers want to know about your new vehicle as soon as possible. Although you have a 14-day grace period with State Farm, you should tell State Farm about your new vehicle as soon as possible.
State Farm covers a new vehicle you purchase for a maximum of 14 days during the grace period. However, if you need to make a claim within that 14-day period, then it can get messy – especially if State Farm didn’t know you purchased a new vehicle.
To avoid complications with claims and other insurance issues, you should notify State Farm of your new car as soon as possible. You have a 14-day grace period, but you don’t necessarily need to use the entire 14-day grace period.
How to Add a New Car to Your State Farm Policy
To add a new car to your State Farm policy, use the State Farm mobile app, login to your State Farm account online, or call State Farm’s customer service hotline at 800-782-8332.
Alternatively, you may need to complete a State Farm application if you’re a new State Farm customer.
Regardless of whether you’re a new or returning State Farm customer, you’ll need to provide specific information to the company, including your vehicle identification number (VIN) and the make and model of the vehicle.
If buying a new State farm policy, make sure it starts on the day your old policy ends to avoid a lapse in coverage. Or, if you don’t have an old policy, make sure your new policy ends on the date you purchase your new vehicle. Otherwise, you could be driving illegally without insurance.
Your Old Policy Transfers to Your New Vehicle
Whatever coverage you have on your original State Farm policy will transfer to your new vehicle.
This should not be an issue if you have full coverage car insurance. Your new policy will have collision, comprehensive, and liability coverage. These coverages protect you from accidents, theft, and liability.
However, if you have a liability-only plan, your State Farm policy provides insufficient coverage for your new vehicle. Dealerships will not let you leave the lot if you only have liability coverage. Liability coverage protects other people but does not protect your own vehicle.
Contact State Farm to verify coverage before buying a new vehicle. Or, contact State Farm to add collision and comprehensive coverage to your policy. Otherwise, you could be driving a valuable new vehicle without adequate insurance coverage.
Contact State Farm to Verify Grace Period Information
State Farm generally offers a 14-day grace period on new vehicle purchases. However, rules vary between states and policyholders.
Depending on your State Farm policy, you could have a grace period of fewer than ten or more than 30 days.
Contact State Farm to verify your grace period information. Otherwise, you could risk driving your new car without insurance.
Final Word on State Farm’s Grace Period for New Cars
State Farm generally offers a 14-day grace period on new vehicles.
If you’re a State Farm customer, you can buy a new vehicle, and your existing State Farm insurance plan will extend coverage to that vehicle. State Farm maintains this coverage for a maximum of 14 days. You should notify State Farm of your new vehicle within this 14-day window.
Contact State Farm or update your policy online to add a new vehicle to your State Farm policy.
