I’m Rebuilding a Car. When Does it Need Insurance?

Pembroke Pines, FL, is in the heart of car country. If your garage has a pet project, you might have a few questions about the state requirements for the vehicle you’re restoring. It can get a little complicated, but these three situations can help demystify how insurance works with your work of art.

You Change the Title

When a car is deemed totaled by an insurer, the state actually issues a salvage title. This means the car can be used for parts or potentially rebuilt, but while the vehicle has this title, it cannot legally drive on the roads. When your rebuild is getting close to roadworthy, you’ll have to make sure it has a valid title. The process varies, and you’ll have to go through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department to change it. You’ll also need an insurance plan to get the title changed. Talking to your McCormick Insurance Inc. representative can help you with any hurdles that might appear during the process.

You’re Driving It

Not all rebuilds require a title change. If the car you’re restoring was never declared totaled, there’s a good chance it still has the original title. That’s fine. While you might want to avoid paying insurance for a car on blocks, as soon as the vehicle is roadworthy, it needs an insurance plan. This is extra true if you want to take her for a spin.

You’re Not the Only One Working on It

Sure, driven cars need insurance. That’s easy enough. Even if your project hasn’t reached that point, you may still need some extra liability coverage. As satisfying as it can be to work on the car, you might need help at some point. Since mechanic work is inherently dangerous, it’s important to protect yourself and your help with liability coverage. That may not come in the form of auto insurance, so this is another good time to talk to your McCormick Insurance Inc. agent.

Now that you know the insurance rules, you can focus on finishing the car and enjoying the roads of Pembroke Pines, FL.