What Insurance Do You Need When Buying Through Carvana?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Carvana changed the car-buying experience by letting you shop online, view detailed photos and a 360° tour, and schedule delivery or pickup—without spending hours at a dealership. Most listings also include a link to the free CarFax report so you can review title and accident history before you commit.

Even though you’re buying online, you still need to handle the same “real world” step as any other purchase: insurance. Carvana generally requires active coverage and acceptable proof of insurance by delivery/pickup time (and in some cases, they may need it earlier for registration). Here’s what insurance you need, what proof works, and how to avoid last-minute delays.

• Carvana typically requires active insurance and proof of coverage by delivery or pickup time, and some locations may need insurance details earlier for registration.
• If you finance (through Carvana or a third-party lender), “full coverage” is usually required—liability plus comprehensive and collision—with lender rules that may limit deductible amounts.
• If you pay cash, you generally only need your state’s minimum liability coverage, but adding comprehensive and collision can protect your new purchase from theft, vandalism, or crash damage.
• CarvanaCare is an extended protection plan—not auto insurance—and it does not replace the car insurance coverage you need to take delivery and drive legally.

Does Carvana require insurance before delivery?

Yes—expect to show proof of insurance when your vehicle is delivered or when you pick it up. Driving away without coverage isn’t just risky; in most states it’s illegal, and Carvana typically won’t complete the handoff without acceptable proof.

If you’re wondering why this matters so much, here’s a deeper explanation of why it’s required to have auto insurance before you drive a vehicle on public roads.

What counts as “proof of insurance” for Carvana?

Carvana typically accepts proof that shows your policy is active and that the vehicle is insured. In many cases, a printed insurance card works, but digital proof on your phone is often accepted too.

Two practical tips:

• Make sure the policy is effective on or before your delivery/pickup date (not starting “tomorrow”).
• Make sure the policy reflects the correct vehicle (usually by VIN), especially if you’re replacing an old car.

If you’re worried about getting pulled over or delayed because you can’t show proof, review how tickets work for no proof of insurance, and whether electronic proof of insurance is valid where you live.

What minimum insurance do you need when buying through Carvana?

The coverage you need depends on how you’re paying for the vehicle. The big difference is whether there’s a lender involved.

• If you finance through Carvana: Expect “full coverage” requirements—meaning liability plus comprehensive and collision—so the vehicle is protected if it’s stolen, vandalized, or damaged in a crash. If you’re not sure what “full coverage” means, start here: full coverage insurance.
• If you finance through a bank/credit union: Your lender sets the rules, but most require comprehensive and collision until the loan is paid off. This overview explains common coverage expectations for financed vehicles.
• If you pay cash: You generally only need your state’s liability minimums, but many drivers still choose comp/collision to protect the car they just bought. If you want a quick refresher on what your state requires, use this guide to minimum coverage auto insurance, plus this state-by-state reference: click here.

Important: Lenders may also limit how high your deductibles can be (for example, they may require comp/collision deductibles at or below a certain amount). If your rate jumps when you add the new vehicle, compare deductible options carefully.

Do you need insurance coverage before you purchase the car online?

Usually, you don’t need to upload proof at the exact moment you click “buy,” but you do need to have coverage lined up in time for delivery/pickup. The safest approach is to get insurance ready as soon as you have the VIN and a confirmed delivery date.

If you already have auto insurance, the simplest move is to call your carrier and transfer auto insurance to your new car. Give them the VIN, your delivery date, and whether there’s a lender—so they can add the correct coverages and list the lender if required.

If you want to review or adjust limits while you’re making the change, this guide explains how to change coverage or limits without guessing.

Can you test drive a Carvana car?

Carvana’s experience is different from a traditional dealership test drive, but you’re not buying totally “blind.” You’ll have time to inspect the vehicle at delivery/pickup, and Carvana also offers a return window that functions like an extended test-own period. Insurance still matters during this time, because you’re driving a real car on real roads—so it’s worth understanding whether you’re covered when test driving a new car (and how coverage works when you’re trying a vehicle before fully committing).

Do you have to buy GAP coverage from Carvana?

No. GAP coverage can be helpful when you owe more than your car is worth (which is most common early in a loan). Carvana may offer GAP protection to many financing customers, but you’re not required to buy it from them.

If Carvana’s GAP isn’t available to you—or you’d rather shop around—you can often get GAP insurance through your auto insurer or a lender. If you’re comparing providers, here’s a shortlist of top companies to buy GAP insurance from.

What is CarvanaCare (and is it insurance)?

CarvanaCare is not auto insurance. It’s an extended protection plan (similar to an extended warranty or vehicle service contract) that helps pay for certain covered mechanical breakdown repairs. If you’re deciding whether it’s worth it, it helps to understand what a car warranty covers—and what it doesn’t.

Also note: protection plans often come with a deductible per repair visit, which is separate from your auto insurance deductible. If you want a quick refresher on how deductibles work in general, see car insurance deductibles explained.

How hard is it to insure a vehicle purchased from Carvana?

It’s usually no harder than insuring a car from a local dealer. The key is having the VIN, your delivery/pickup date, and your financing details so your insurer can set the correct coverages.

Just remember: Carvana sells used vehicles, and used cars can vary widely in history. Always review the title/vehicle history report and avoid anything that could create insurance headaches, such as a branded title. If you ever run into one, here’s how coverage works for rebuilt or salvage-title vehicles.

Your price won’t be based on where you bought the car. Rates are driven by personal factors like age, driving history, and (in many states) credit score, plus discounts you qualify for—like bundling auto and home insurance.

If you’ve heard that insurance is always higher for newer vehicles, it’s a little more nuanced. This guide breaks down whether new cars are always more expensive to insure than used cars.

FAQs on Insurance for Carvana Purchases

Final word: Carvana insurance requirements

Buying through Carvana doesn’t change the fundamentals: you’ll need active insurance and acceptable proof by delivery/pickup time. If you finance, expect full coverage (liability + comprehensive + collision). If you pay cash, you’ll at least need your state’s minimum liability coverage—though many drivers still add comp and collision to protect the vehicle.