do you get car insurance before registration

[Gretchen]

Yes, you absolutely need to have at least the minimum required car insurance before you can register a vehicle in almost every state. This is a standard legal requirement because registration grants you the legal right to operate the vehicle on public roads, and the state needs proof that you are financially responsible. The process is sequential: first, you secure an insurance policy, then you take the proof of that insurance to the DMV to complete your registration.

The logic behind this is straightforward. Vehicle registration is the government's way of tracking your car and collecting taxes. However, the primary reason for mandating insurance first is to protect all road users. By requiring proof of financial responsibility upfront, states ensure that every registered vehicle is covered in case of an accident, minimizing the risk of uninsured drivers causing financial hardship for others.

Here’s a typical breakdown of the steps:

1. Purchase a Vehicle: Finalize the sale from a dealer or private party.
2. Immediately Contact Your Insurance Agent: You can often do this from the dealership lot or before you pick up the car. You'll need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
3. Obtain Proof of Insurance: Your insurer will provide a digital or physical document called an "insurance card" or "proof of insurance certificate."
4. Go to the DMV: Bring your proof of insurance, the vehicle's title, a bill of sale, your driver's license, and any required inspection or smog certificates.
5. Complete Registration: The DMV will process your documents and issue license plates and a registration card.

Most states mandate liability insurance, which covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. The minimum required amounts vary significantly. For example:

State	Minimum Bodily Injury Liability (per person / per accident)	Minimum Property Damage Liability
Florida	$10,000 / $20,000	$10,000
California	$15,000 / $30,000	$5,000
New York	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000
Texas	$30,000 / $60,000	$25,000
Alaska	$50,000 / $100,000	$25,000

It's highly advisable to purchase more than the minimum limits, as medical and repair costs can easily exceed these low amounts. Without active insurance, the DMV will simply not process your registration application.

[Albert]

Yeah, the DMV won’t even let you in the door without that insurance card. I learned that the hard way when I bought my first used car. I was so excited I drove straight to the DMV, only to be turned away. Had to call my insurance guy from the parking lot to get the proof emailed to me. It’s a non-negotiable first step. Think of it as the key that unlocks the registration process.

[OSebastian]

From a legal and procedural standpoint, insurance is a prerequisite for registration. The state's interest is in ensuring all vehicles on the road meet financial responsibility laws. The registration system is designed to verify your insurance details electronically in many cases. Attempting to register a vehicle without valid coverage is a violation that can result in the application being rejected immediately. The sequence is intentionally structured this way to enforce compliance and protect the public.