How soon after you buy a car do you have to get car insurance?

Usually before you drive it off the dealers lot. Many policies give you automatic coverage for newly purchased vehicles for a certain number of days up to the maximum coverage on you other vehicles. You need to read your policy and check with your agent on this matter before driving the vehicle. I have seen many car dealers tell people they are automatically covered if they have insurance and under many policies they do not have coverage. IF you drive off the lot and have an At Fault accident you could be responsible for all damages and still have to pay the bank or finance company fora vehicle that is now wrecked when it could have been prevented with a phone call to your agent.