I was stopped by police w/out insurance on the day of purchase for my car, I need help!?

Question

Hello all,

I had bought a car in March, I was driving back from the place of purchase to where I live. On the way, I was stopped by a police officer, he confiscated my car and advised me that I would need to pay a £100 fine to get my car back. So I did. I had showed him all of the proof of purchase, he still confiscated. Furthermore, he said that, that was the end of it.

Recently I got a letter through the post for a court hearing.

Basically, my questions are;

1) I heard from a colleague that, you are allowed 3 days AFTER the purchase of your vehicle to get it insured. Is this correct?
And if so, is there a place or website of where I can acquire some literature regarding this information?

2) Also is there anything I should think about taking or saying to court?

Any responses will be MUCH appreciated, as I am kind of getting worried, just in case they take my licence from me, or give me some points.

Thanks all
N

BTW im from the United Kingdom

Answer 1

I can't tell you how the law works in the UK, however in the US, you have 30 days to get your car insured, as long as you have a current policy with at least one other vehicle on it! I would definitely hire a lawyer and go over everything with them.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Well... sounds like you are in a country other than the U.S. of A. And the laws would/could be different from where you live and where I live.

But... I will try my best. Don't know about the 3 day rule. What country do you live in? Easy way to find out is to call the dealership where you purchased the car from and ask them. Also can try contacting your local police, they would also know the law.

When going to court bring the following. Your original sales receipt, and whatever else the dealership gave you when you purchased your car. Make sure it shows the date of the purcahse, so that the judge can see if it is within the 3 days of the ticket. (if that is the law there) Also, bring your proof of insurance that you purchased after getting the ticket. (I know you said your car was impounded, and if you did not get the car back, then you wouldn't have needed the insurance. But if you did get the car, you need to show the judge that you did get insurance on it as quick as possible)

Hope all this helps. Also, find any lawyers in your area that work for you before the case is settled before they charge you their fees. Having a lwayer's help will greatly benifit your case, as well as possible getting some money for the inconveincance and whatnot of what you went through. They can also charge the state, or city or whomever for their fees as well as getting your money reimbursed for the impound and other things.

Answer 3

I work in insurance (in the United States) and let me just say that a lot of the answers you got are incorrect. First off, you MUST have insurance when driving a new car off the dealership lot if you financed the vehicle. If you paid cash, the dealership could care less if you have insurance or not. But, if carrying auto insurance is the law as it is in the U.S., it is your responsibility to either call an insurance company and bind coverage before driving away or purchasing insurance from the dealer. If you already had insurance and carry what is commonly known as "full coverage" on an existing vehicle on your policy, you can drive off the lot with your new car and any accidents would be covered since your "full coverage" transfers to the new car. However, if you have "liability only" make sure you call your insurance company before driving off since "liaibility only" coverage would transfer to your new car too. Also, please note that if you purchase a car on the weekend and your agent's office is closed, that does not mean that an insurance company has to insure your new car purchase. No, no, no. It is your responsibility to call the insurance company (they usually have 1-800 numbers you can call 24/7) beforehand if the "liability only" scenario fits your case.

Answer 4

I don't know what country you are in but here in the united states if a police officer was to pull you over right after the purchase of a new vehicle all you would have to do is show him that you just bought the vehicle and that you have a 30 day in the window (that's if you got it from a dealership), the police officer would either let you go giving you a warning to go straight to the insurance agency or he would give you a ticket and send you on your way. They would never take the vehicle as long as you can prove that it is yours and that you have your license. But that's here in the United States. I have purchased a lot of vehicles and never once had this problem. Good luck. (but also if the car was purchased through a private sale the police officer would tell us to get it home and park it till we could get insurance and a ten day from the DMV, here in the US things are more understanding I guess.) I'm in Nevada and are police officers are understanding. I left the lot with two of my vehicles without insurance. I drove my altima around without insurance for two days because the insurance agency wasn't open. But I was covered anyway because I had a policy already through them and it covers me in any vehicle I am driving. So I gues what I am trying to say is can't really help you. Talk to a lawyer.

Answer 5

You didn't say where you live, probably you will have to pay a rather large fine, be sure you have some current ins. papers with you when you go to court. The way I understand it you can't drive a car on the road without insurance and besides it's not a good thing to do especially here in los angeles. If the judge asks just say you were driving the car home and planned to call your agent the next day for insurance.
When I went to court there were people ahead with the same ticket, I didn't see anyone get their license suspended. Also this isn't a moving volation so there's no points on your record.

Answer 6

Your friend is wrong. Here in California, you are not allowed to drive the car off the lot without insurance. Either way, you had to call your current insurance carrier and get a binder for your new car before you drove it off the lot.
You also could've purchased 7-days of insurance through the car dealer to cover the days you didn't have insurance.
Either way it's your fault and you will have to go to court and pay large fines. You will not lose your license but you may get a moving violation point...depends on the judge.

Answer 7

Firstable i think that cop was being a jerk cause there is no way that u would've had an insurance when u just bought the car, and other thing let say that he was right he should've gave u a ticket 4 no insurance instead of confiscating your car.....when u go to court and as long as u have the proof of the date when u bought your car i think u will win....i dont know where r u from but go to your county's web site police or courts and they should have some statute about driving w/out license...insurance or registration....

Answer 8

I know in my state if you buy a car on the weekend you have till monday morning to get it insured,most dealerships in my hometown wont release a new car until proff of insurance is shown its a risk to the finance company...Also if you have ANY type of vechicle insurance at the time you purchase a new car(even if it is insurance on a trade in or a car at home ) by law in my state the insurance company MUST cover the car if it is purchased on a weekend most people dont know that but its true For example i have a 98 Chevy S-10 with full coverage i bought my girlfriends jeep on a friday night and my policy on my truck automaticly covered the jeep until monday morning when i could add it to the policy...

Answer 9

You must have insurance cover PRIOR to operating the vehicle on the public roads. There is NO grace period for this!

Your best bet is to get a solicitor. Lacking that, throw yourself on the mercy of the courts. But do expect points, especially without a solicitor!

Answer 10

Sorry I can't help you. I am from the U.S and looks like you aren't. Here they don't not confiscate your car for driving without insurance. What you should do is talk to a lawyer.