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How do you legally drive a private party purchase

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  • #483964
    CoryCory
    Participant

      I can’t get any help on another forum, so I will try here…

      I plan on purchasing a car, and since I’m a cash buyer I most likely want to include private party shopping. Thing is, I’ve never done it…

      I understand some aspects
      * The seller signs and dates the title
      * The buyer (me) signs and dates the title under the buyer section
      * Fill out the Bill of Sale (both seller and buyer sections of the bill)
      * Fill out the Odometer Disclosure Statement (both seller and buyer sections of the bill); this is a Indiana requirement, other states may or may not need.
      * The seller has the right to remove the license plates from the vehicle
      * It is the buyers (me) responsibility to obtain a new title and register the vehicle.

      I’m still left with two important aspects

      1) How can I drive the car without a license plate?
      I reside in Indiana, and the IN BMV governmental website isn’t very helpful. One thing the site mentions is buyer has 31 days to title a recent vehicle purchase, but it says if the vehicle has an Indiana title. Doesn’t say anything about out-of-state vehicle purchasing or vehicles with titling in other states :dry:

      Can’t find anything online about temp tags, or transferring tags.. why do they make it so difficult for private sells? How do you guys purchase used private party vehicles?

      2) Insurance
      I wonder if my existing policy will temporarily cover my new car purchase? I noticed some insurance providers give a grace period for car purchases… State Farm for example has a 14 day grace period.

      I know I should contact my insurance provider, and I did start a online chat session with my insurance provider today, but no one responded for 30 minutes so I just gave up. Unlike some other providers, there are no policy documents online I can view. My insurance provider is very secretive so I’m not 100% sure what coverage I have when it comes to purchasing cars, car rentals, etc… Plus I like to have things in writing, or in a policy disclosure rather than just “taking someones word” over the phone.

      My car insurance provider is USAA

      :S

    Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
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    • #484005
      JordanJordan
      Participant

        I do know in indiana you have to have the car inspected if you buy it out of state. As for the insurance get a quote then after I get the car call the insurance company and have them insure it.

        #484636
        DaveDave
        Participant

          …I would go to your DMV first…

          I agree.

          Check with your DMV.

          And be sure to check that car once, twice, three times because in most states, when you buy a used car, it’s yours – problems and all – and there’s no recourse against the seller if they bamboozled you.

          #484776
          619DioFan619DioFan
          Participant

            If you are buying a car that is already registered in your state and the plates are not ” vanity plates ” then the seller should leave them on the car. if they are are vanity plates then you will need to have new ones issued by the dmv in your state.( once you purchase/register said vehicle the dmv should issue a temporary paper tag for the rear window – same as if buying a new car that has no plates ) if your state has a smog inspection program the “seller ” is responsible for smoging the car prior to selling it. ( atleast here in california that is law ) we do not have yearly / biannual saftey inspections but if you do you should find out if the seller is responsible for that ( in your state ) prior to sale. as for your insurance-

            USAA is a great company ( been with them for 30 years ) find nothing ” secretive ” about them at all. once you buy a car simply call the 800 number and tell the rep you want to add it to your policy ( very easy ) they will email you a proof of insurance card for that vehicle then send out a new policy packet showing the car added.

            #484777
            CoryCory
            Participant

              What I meant by USAA is that they have little documented online compared to other insurance companies. I don’t even have an insurance policy document in writing…

              In most states the seller has the right to keep their license plate, and honestly… it would be very wise if they did.

              If you read my first post, I only have two specific questions. There are no smog or any type of inspections in my area (only NW Indiana – thanks to Chicago).

              Not everyone can just call their insurance provider and add a car… what if you purchase on a Sunday… see what I’m getting at?

              But thanks… I think I will just have to figure it out on my own.

              check this out:
              http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/3410614859.html

              #484780
              chrischris
              Participant

                your telling me usaa doesnt have a 1800 number to add a car or a website to add a car to your policy? i know progressive you can do it anytime you can even put all the info to see what your premiums gonna rise to then go ahead and execute and they will send you a pdf to print out good for 14 days in case you get pulled over.
                dont just drive it thinking your existing policy will cover it…they wills screw you over if you have a wreck trust me

                just did a quick google search call them and see what is required to get this its only 9 bucks …but dont know if you can do this beforehand or if you need to get one in the state you buy it from
                http://www.in.gov/bmv/2685.htm

                #484784
                CoryCory
                Participant

                  [quote=”cascivic” post=41507]your telling me usaa doesnt have a 1800 number to add a car or a website to add a car to your policy? …[/quote]

                  That was just an example, I don’t know what USAA does – nothing is documented online. My prior provider had a 15-day grace period. I did start a online-chat with USAA last Friday to ask specific questions, but no-one responded for the 35 minutes I waited, so I just gave up.

                  Not in a hurry, still have my old Honda but it has cancer (rust) and hitting the 300,000 mile mark, so I want to be prepared and may even go ahead and buy a car now.

                  Speaking of, will anybody buy a 300,000 mile car? :side:

                  #484976
                  BruceBruce
                  Participant

                    My insurance covers a new purchase without it being added immediately. And if you have the title with you and a dated bill of sale when you get pulled over for no tags I doubt you will get ticketed, unless you have been driving it for a while without getting tags.

                    #487199
                    Ralph AlmerigiRalph Almerigi
                    Participant

                      If you buy a car from out of state You go to there DMV and get a temp tag. It’s good for 7 to 10 days depending in the state. If you are insurad your company will give you 30 days on a new purchase.

                      #487242
                      CoryCory
                      Participant

                        [quote=”mojunk” post=42675]If you buy a car from out of state You go to there DMV and get a temp tag. It’s good for 7 to 10 days depending in the state. If you are insurad your company will give you 30 days on a new purchase.[/quote]

                        no

                        #520763
                        SteveSteve
                        Participant

                          Most insurance policies give you a few days “grace period” where you recently purchased car is covered if you have insurance through them. You would have to refer to your official policy documents to know for how long. As far as tagging a car, states are different. Kentucky requires a notary public to also sign the title (if I remember correctly).

                          #521637
                          JamesJames
                          Participant

                            The way my family has always handled the license plate is very straight forward and simple. You go to the DMV with all your paperwork declaring you legal owner, you get a temporary license for the vehicle, THIS IS NOT a license plate, it only allows you to drive the vehicle within that DMV’s coverage area, its mainly used when you buy a new car to get it to the DMV to be issued a license plate, or between getting issued. You stick that on the back window, get to the dmv, then have them do whatever they gotta do, and tada! You got one, or if your like me you get a dealers license plate you can put on the back of any car you own and do it that way.

                            #524288
                            SteveSteve
                            Participant

                              Just another comment: In some states a dealer might be able to “sell” you a temporary tag for your car. (I’ve never done that but hear it can be done). Most title transfers require a Notary Public to countersign it, at least in Kentucky. Many folks here meet up at the local courthouse and do it but that is not required. Kentucky doesn’t require inspections for in-state purchases or tag renewals but I know each state is different.

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