Overview
Street-legal vehicles always require insurance coverage to drive on public roads, while certain vehicle types like OHVs (Off-Highway Vehicles) do not. All states require insurance to drive vehicles on public roads, but not all states require proof of insurance before completing a purchase. You can either purchase a new insurance policy through Ekho's recommended carriers or use your existing insurance policy if it meets all requirements.
How It Works
Start by reviewing your insurance requirements to understand what coverage you need and whether proof is required for your purchase. Then check if you have existing insurance that meets those requirements. If your existing policy meets requirements, skip ahead to validate your insurance. If not, purchase a new policy through Ekho's recommended carriers. Once you have qualifying insurance, validate it to complete your purchase.
Review Requirements
Understand Your Requirements
You'll see a comprehensive list of what your insurance policy must include:
State Requirements: Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property Damage Liability (PDL), Bodily Injury Liability, and other state-mandated coverage types — all at state-specific minimums. The insurance company must be licensed in your registration state, and the policy must start before your delivery date and expire at least 90 days after delivery.
Lender Requirements (If Financing): VIN must be listed on the policy, lender must be named as lienholder or loss payee, higher coverage amounts may be required, comprehensive and collision coverage typically required, and GAP insurance may be required.Determine If Proof Is Required
If insurance proof is optional, you can continue your purchase without validating insurance but must have it before driving. If proof is required (e.g., financing or certain states), you must validate your insurance before completing your purchase.
Check Existing Insurance
When to purchase new insurance: no existing insurance, only liability coverage (and financing), coverage below lender requirements, carrier not licensed in your registration state, or carrier doesn't cover your vehicle type.
When to use existing insurance: active insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage, coverage amounts meet or exceed state and lender requirements, carrier licensed in your registration state, and you can add the new vehicle and lienholder.
Note: Even if your existing policy meets requirements, you'll need to add your new vehicle and lender (if financing) to the policy before you can use it.
Get Insurance
Find Carriers
View the list of carriers that offer policies for your specific vehicle. Each carrier card shows the carrier name, website link, a link to find an agent, and a button to generate a quote. Some carriers may only offer policies in certain states.
Get Quotes
When getting quotes, provide vehicle details (make, model, year, VIN), coverage amounts that meet or exceed state and lender requirements, lender information (if financing) to add as lienholder, and your expected delivery date. Get quotes from multiple carriers to compare rates — prices can vary significantly.
Purchase Policy
Verify Requirements Are Met
Before finalizing, confirm: coverage amounts meet or exceed state minimums, VIN is listed on the policy, lender is listed as lienholder (if financing), named insured matches your name exactly, policy start date is before your delivery date, and policy expires at least 90 days after delivery.Complete Purchase
Follow the carrier's checkout process, review final policy details, select payment plan, and accept policy terms.Receive Policy Documents
The carrier sends you policy documents via email or through their portal. The declarations page is the most common proof document.
Validate Your Insurance
If you're using existing insurance, you must contact your carrier BEFORE validation to add your new vehicle and lender (if financing).
Review Requirements
Reference the requirements you identified earlier. If using existing insurance, contact your carrier first to add the vehicle and lienholder and request an updated declarations page.Enter Policy Information (Manual)
Fill in insurance carrier name, policy type, effective date, expiry date, policy number, and confirm the VIN is listed on the policy.Upload Documents
The declarations page is preferred. Other acceptable documents include certificate of insurance, insurance binder, and verification of insurance (VOI). If financing, you may need to upload two documents: your insurance document and a lender document.Wait for Validation
Manual review will be completed within 1 business day. You'll receive an email when validation is complete. In the event that updates are needed on your policy, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to complete the corrections.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Why do I need insurance?
Why do I need insurance?
Street-legal vehicles require insurance to drive on public roads. Lenders require proof of insurance to protect their investment. State law requires insurance to register street-legal vehicles. OHVs and similar non-street-legal vehicles do not require insurance.
Which carrier should I choose?
Which carrier should I choose?
Choose based on price (get quotes from multiple carriers), coverage (ensure they offer what you need), state availability (confirm they're licensed in your state), vehicle coverage (verify they insure your specific vehicle type), and customer service reputation.
I don't have a VIN yet. Can I still get insurance?
I don't have a VIN yet. Can I still get insurance?
You must have the VIN added to your policy before attempting to validate insurance. Wait for Ekho to notify you when your VIN is assigned. Some carriers allow quotes without a VIN, but don't finalize your insurance purchase until you have it.
What proof document do I need?
What proof document do I need?
The declarations page is preferred (shows all policy details, coverage amounts, and VIN). Other options: certificate of insurance, insurance binder, or verification of insurance (VOI). The declarations page almost always meets all requirements in one document.
What does 'lienholder' or 'loss payee' mean?
What does 'lienholder' or 'loss payee' mean?
These terms refer to your lender when financing a vehicle — the entity that holds a legal claim on your vehicle until the loan is paid off. If financing, your lender must be listed on your insurance policy so they're notified if you cancel coverage, receive payment if the vehicle is totaled, and are protected if damage occurs.
When should my policy start?
When should my policy start?
Your policy should start before your delivery date and expire at least 90 days after your delivery date. No gaps in coverage are allowed. Purchase close to your expected delivery date, but contact your carrier about adjusting dates if your delivery changes. In the case that you are financing, the policy may need to be active ahead of finalizing the loan in order to receive funding.