Key Takeaways
You Must Handle Your Plates Before Removing a Vehicle From Your Policy
When removing a vehicle, you'll need to return the plates to your state's DMV, transfer them to another vehicle, or show proof of other insurance. Skipping this step can result in a fine.
Don't Remove the Old Car Until the Plates Are Settled
If you're adding a new vehicle but haven't returned or transferred the old plates yet, add the new car now and select "No" when asked if it replaces another vehicle. Remove the old vehicle later once you've met your state's requirements.
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Transferring or Returning (Surrendering) Your Vehicle’s License Plates (Tags)
To remove a vehicle from your policy, you may have to return the vehicle’s license plates (tags) to the state’s department of motor vehicles, transfer the plates to another vehicle, or purchase other insurance. These requirements help ensure that all vehicles driven on public roads have insurance that covers potential injury or property damage in an accident. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a fine. Visit the website of your state’s department of motor vehicles for information about requirements and penalties.
To help you avoid fines like this, we'll ask if you have returned your vehicle’s license plates (tags) to the state’s department of motor vehicles, transferred your vehicle’s plates to a different vehicle, or purchased insurance for the vehicle you’re removing.
If you already have your new vehicle (or are getting a new vehicle today) but you have not returned or transferred the plates from the vehicle you plan to remove, you should continue to add the new vehicle to your policy now. Do not remove your old/current vehicle from your policy yet. Return to the question "Will the new vehicle replace one of your other vehicles on the policy?" and select “No.” You can then continue adding your new vehicle. Once you've met your state’s requirements and are ready to remove your old/current vehicle, you can go to the Remove Vehicle page, select the vehicle, and remove it from your policy.
Check out other useful tips about adding vehicles here.
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