Just bought a vehicle in Ohio and drove it to Michigan for work this morning. I planned to call my insurance company and register it after my shift, thinking I had a grace period and that it would be covered under my current policy for a while. However, I got pulled over—probably because it didn’t have plates yet—and was issued a ticket for not having proof of insurance, even though I had the title with me. They towed my car! How is there no grace period at all? How are you supposed to get your new vehicle home if you can’t contact your insurance company after hours?
Newly purchased vehicle–Michigan
It sounds like a frustrating situation, and I understand your concerns. Generally, when you purchase a vehicle, you do often have a grace period during which you are covered under your existing policy. However, this can depend on the specific terms of your insurance policy and state laws.
In Michigan, the law typically requires you to have proof of insurance and a valid registration on the vehicle before driving it on the road. If you were pulled over without plates or clear proof of insurance, that could lead to a ticket and towing, as you’ve experienced.
To address your situation, it might be a good idea to reach out to your insurance company as soon as possible to clarify your policy’s coverage for newly purchased vehicles and express your concerns about the timing of your purchase and registration. They may offer some guidance or assistance regarding the ticket and towing. In the future, it might help to verify insurance coverage before driving a newly purchased vehicle, even if it’s after hours, to avoid similar situations.
Consider keeping a copy of your insurance policy or a digital proof of insurance on your phone, which you might be able to access even outside of business hours. Additionally, check if the local state regulations regarding vehicle registration and insurance can provide more clarity for future purchases.