Proof of Insurance Needed in TX Before Delivery?

[chuichuitrain]

Hi everyone!

I have a Model 3 SR+ scheduled for delivery next Friday in Texas, and have been told by my delivery specialist that I need to provide proof of insurance (with the VIN listed) prior to delivery - specifically so Tesla can complete registration and have temporary tags issued.

My insurance agent (AAA) told me that he cannot add the car to my policy until it is delivered. He said I am covered for up to 30 days after purchasing/receiving car, and has not had this issue with other Tesla owners before.

Neither side is budging. Hope someone here has some experience and can give me some tips!

 

[Gil Shanley]

Is the car new or used? I looked at a used Tesla in Dallas and they wanted proof of insurance prior to delivery. No such
requirement on my new MX.

 

[blkatx]

Recent delivery here. If I recall some language w/ the final paperwork packet which you should get via FedEx just before delivery stated that if you could include the final insurance proof, it would expedite the registration or something. I included it, and then also gave a copy to the Delivery guy, who did ask. But I'm not sure it was required.

In any case, I would hope you could call AAA during delivery and have them add it to your policy and get a temporary card emailed to you immediately?

 

[jmaddr]

I had the same experience in FL in March (was a first for me so not sure if it’s a Tesla thing).

USAA (ironically based in TX) took the new VIN, gave me a “policy in effect” date, and issued me insurance cards within 10 minutes of me calling. They also offer the 30 day exclusion coverage but they also had no issue issuing cards either.

Sorry, I know it isn’t much help but thought the data point might be helpful to others.

 

[Dana1]

Hi everyone!

I have a Model 3 SR+ scheduled for delivery next Friday in Texas, and have been told by my delivery specialist that I need to provide proof of insurance (with the VIN listed) prior to delivery - specifically so Tesla can complete registration and have temporary tags issued.

My insurance agent (AAA) told me that he cannot add the car to my policy until it is delivered. He said I am covered for up to 30 days after purchasing/receiving car, and has not had this issue with other Tesla owners before.

Neither side is budging. Hope someone here has some experience and can give me some tips!

Insurance required before they let you leave. Can’t be registered without it, true whether new or used (from dealer, anyway). Talk to different AAA rep. They can provide a binder once VIN is issued.

 

[JulienW]

In GA I just used my previous car's (ELR) insurance. We have a 10 day grace period to replace with a new car on our policy. I changed over to my Model 3 about 3 days after I got it.

 

[67King]

When I ordered mine a bit over a month ago, there were 13 states that did not require insurance prior to. TN was one of them, but I don't recall any others, or even if they listed them. Go to your account page and look up the "next steps" part and it should tell you.

 

[DRO-24]

In Colorado- I just started the insurance on the M3 one day before actual delivery. Extra cost was like $2 to avoid this issue. Not sure why your insurance company won't let you insure it a day early, Progressive had no problem with taking my extra $2.

 

[chuichuitrain]

When I ordered mine a bit over a month ago, there were 13 states that did not require insurance prior to. TN was one of them, but I don't recall any others, or even if they listed them. Go to your account page and look up the "next steps" part and it should tell you.

Actually, Texas is listed as one of those 13 states as well! I’ll call Tesla again to clarify.

 

[chuichuitrain]

Recent delivery here. If I recall some language w/ the final paperwork packet which you should get via FedEx just before delivery stated that if you could include the final insurance proof, it would expedite the registration or something. I included it, and then also gave a copy to the Delivery guy, who did ask. But I'm not sure it was required.

In any case, I would hope you could call AAA during delivery and have them add it to your policy and get a temporary card emailed to you immediately?

Hopefully this would be a solution. Tesla rep seemed firm that they needed the insurance info before the actual delivery day, but maybe I’ll call again and see if someone else will budge.

 

[ewoodrick]

I believe that all they need is proof of current, existing insurance.

 

[Tam]

...
Neither side is budging...

I don't know about other states but I bought 3 new Tesla cars so far and each time they want current proof of insurance of current car, not for a new car for the delivery.

 

[reddy]

Recent Model 3 buyer in Texas here.

There seems to be some confusion about pickup vs registration.

1) When picking up your new Tesla, all you need is to show proof of insurance with one of your existing cars.

Your insurance company (mine is Safeco) usually won't write the policy until AFTER you pick up the car, but they are bound by law to cover you if you report the purchase to them within a few days.

2) Once you DO notify your insurance company, after you have picked up the car, the insurance company provides you a Texas Proof of Insurance Card.

3) You must send a copy of that to Tesla in order for them the REGISTER your car and they will mail you the plates. They appear to have a vendor in Collin County doing all the foot work for my part of Texas.

So, you DON'T need a VIN specific proof of insurance to pick up the car. You DO need a proof of insurance, that is current, that has your name on it, with one of your other cars on it.

You WILL NEED the VIN of the new Tesla on the proof of insurance card later, to send to Tesla to get your registration completed and license plates mailed to you.

 

[chuichuitrain]

Thanks everyone for the tips! Just an update - spoke to 4 different Tesla folks on the phone and kept getting the same answer. Then I emailed my delivery specialist and he told me the opposite. Vehicle does not need to be on my policy before delivery - only current proof of insurance needed for now (as folks in this thread have said as well).