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Weird insurance thing happened

Posted on 5/16/25 at 4:59 pm
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104177 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 4:59 pm
We bought a new vehicle last year, sold the old one. Somebody dropped the ball between the dealership and the insurance agent, they didn't take the old vehicle off the policy and put the new one on and I didn't notice it until the policy came up for renewal this month. For the past year we've been driving around in an uninsured vehicle, meanwhile both we and the new owner have been carrying insurance on the old vehicle.

The insurance agent said she will call the DMV Monday to try to straighten it out but from what I've googled there may be a substantial fine involved. We were paying in good faith but having dealt with the state of Louisiana, I don't expect that to carry much weight.
Posted by SquatchDawg
Cohutta Wilderness
Member since Sep 2012
18960 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 5:14 pm to
Aren’t you the one responsible with calling the agent when you get a new vehicle? I think you are unless you have something in writing from the dealer saying they will do it.

No way I’m trusting a dealer to manage my insurance for an auto.
This post was edited on 5/16/25 at 5:16 pm
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104177 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 5:24 pm to
It was a year ago so I can't be sure, but I think I did, and the dealership was supposed to send them the info. The policy renewed right about that time and when they sent me the paperwork I guess I didn't look closely enough. There was a serious illness in our family and my mind was elsewhere.. I'm surprised the state didn't pick up on it though. They had a vehicle newly registered that wasn't insured and another newly registered vehicle insured twice over.
Posted by kc8876
Member since May 2012
3534 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 6:42 pm to
Yeah, the state is definitely gonna let you off the hook for something that’s your fault. Just explain the mixup, they’ll believe you
Posted by HarveyBanger
Member since Mar 2018
1266 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 7:47 pm to
As far as the insurance on your old vehicle, there is an auto termination clause of most if not all personal auto policies that if you sell the vehicle that coverage terminates. You should be able to have the vehicle removed from your policy and have it backdated to when you sold it. You may be able to get a refund of the premium paid.

In regards to the new vehicle, it’s ultimately your responsibility to ensure it’s covered unless there is a documentation of you telling the insurance agent to have the vehicle added and they just never did.

ETA: I have no idea why anyone would trust a dealership to take care of something like this.
This post was edited on 5/16/25 at 7:49 pm
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104177 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 8:01 pm to
We shouldn't have, but there had been an illness and death in the family and nobody was thinking about those kinds of details.
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
148007 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 8:04 pm to
quote:

Somebody dropped the ball between the dealership and the insurance agent, they didn't take the old vehicle off the policy and put the new one on and I didn't notice it until the policy came up for renewal this month.
the policy holder(s) drop the ball ignoramus
Posted by Big Jim Slade
Member since Oct 2016
6225 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 8:18 pm to
Wouldn’t the state have sent you numerous warning letters and suspended your license for owning a vehicle without insurance?
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
2893 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 8:19 pm to
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104177 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 8:48 pm to
quote:

Wouldn’t the state have sent you numerous warning letters and suspended your license for owning a vehicle without insurance?


You would think, but no.
Posted by ApexHunterNetcode
Member since Aug 2023
596 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 9:51 pm to
Then sit back and wait
Posted by Double Oh
Louisiana
Member since Sep 2008
23271 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 10:25 pm to
quote:

No way I’m trusting a dealer to manage my insurance for an auto.




Correct.


No way i'm driving a vehicle off the lot till i get insurance on the vehicle i just bought. And i always call my agent to tell them this is what i'm buying i need insurance on this vehicle.
Posted by Artificial Ignorance
Member since Feb 2025
1424 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 10:32 pm to
$500 ish fine.

Titled a vehicle to my kid and similar insurance drop, unbeknownst to me, until fine (w/late penalty as in fought it at first pushing us late — $600 ish total).
Posted by Tiger Prawn
Member since Dec 2016
25007 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 11:27 pm to
quote:

No way i'm driving a vehicle off the lot till i get insurance on the vehicle i just bought. And i always call my agent to tell them this is what i'm buying i need insurance on this vehicle.
If you have current insurance on any other vehicle, you can drive your newly acquired vehicle off the lot and have coverage at the same limits and deductibles as the best level of coverage on any vehicle on your existing policy. Its not free coverage as you’ll have to retroactively add the new car as of the purchase date. Check your policy for exact number of days you have to add it. Mainly meant for situations where someone is buying a car on a weekend or evening when their insurance agent’s office is closed.

Just call your agent the next business day to add it, but if something happened in the couple of days between purchasing the car and getting ahold of your agent, you’d have coverage at the level of the best covered vehicle that was currently on your policy.

ETA: but YOU need to call your agent and do that, not rely on a car salesman to do it for you. I can’t speak for other agencies, but I’m not changing anything on a policy at the request of a car dealership. The policy holder is the only one who can request a change to vehicles and/or coverage.
This post was edited on 5/16/25 at 11:31 pm
Posted by chinesebandit56
Brusly
Member since Apr 2017
208 posts
Posted on 5/16/25 at 11:39 pm to
Did you finance the new vehicle? If yes a declaration page from your insurance carrier must be submitted with the contract to the lien holder. The dealership is responsible for sending this information to the lender.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104177 posts
Posted on 5/17/25 at 1:10 am to
Paid cash
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
2893 posts
Posted on 5/17/25 at 7:53 am to
That's on you man. Never heard of nor would I expect or trust dealer or anyone else to get it done without verifying coverage got updated. Just take your lumps and count your blessing that you didnt get in a wreck in meantime. One accident without liability coverage could ruin you financially.
Posted by The Torch
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
27371 posts
Posted on 5/17/25 at 7:59 am to
quote:

the dealership and the insurance agent



This was your first error.

All you have to do is:

1. take out your phone
2. type Statefarm.com
3. Add vehicle
4. type vin # etc etc etc
5. Confirmation.

if you finance the dealership usually requires proof of insurance before you drive off
Posted by lsuconnman
Baton rouge
Member since Feb 2007
4424 posts
Posted on 5/17/25 at 9:53 am to
You’re paying the fine, OMV DGAF. I traded in my car and had to wait 3 months for the new one to arrive. Dealer delayed returning my plate and I got hit with a 30 day insurance lapse. Even with a notarized letter from the dealer OMV wouldn’t renew my license unless I paid their $300 ransom.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
175506 posts
Posted on 5/17/25 at 9:57 am to
quote:

Somebody dropped the ball between the dealership and the insurance agent,


It’s your job dude to communicate and make sure your shite is done correctly.
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