Buying a New Car Checklist | American Family Insurance

You’ve been dreaming of buying a new car, and now you’re ready to make that dream a reality.

Before you head over to the dealership, here are a few helpful tips from American Family Insurance to make your car purchase go as smooth as possible.

First, check out car prices online to get a better understanding of the price range for the vehicles you’re considering.

If you’re planning on taking out a vehicle loan, take a minute to brush up on your understanding of financing and loan terms.

Next, get your free credit report from one of the three credit reporting agencies. A higher score can help you get a better loan.

You’ll also want to check out financing options from multiple lenders to make sure you’re getting the best rate and terms.

It’s important to build a budget so you know what you can afford before you fall in love with a car on the dealer’s lot.

Your budget should include your down payment, how much you’ll pay right away, as well as your monthly payment.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of car insurance. Call your American family insurance agent or head to AmFam.com to get a personalized quote in minutes.

All right! You’ve got your budget together, you’ve found the perfect car and you’re ready to buy. What do you need to bring with you to the dealership to make sure you can take your new vehicle home right away?

An up to date driver’s license, your payment — whether you’re using a check, cash, credit card or loan to make your purchase.

If you plan on getting a loan through the dealership, you’ll definitely want your most recent pay stubs. Ask if the dealership wants you to fill out any forms online in advance too.

Your credit report. The dealer will pull your credit score and history, but it’s great to have your own copy so there are no surprises.

If you don’t have a great credit score, you may also want to bring a list of references who can vouch for you, a few recent utility bills in your name to prove your current address.

If you’ve qualified for a discount through your credit card company, the dealership, the manufacturer or any other company, bring that complete discount information with you.

Proof of auto insurance. This is mandatory in most states, so don’t let a lack of insurance prevent you from driving off the lot with your new ride.

Call your American family agent today to see how much you could save when you build your own car insurance policy.

And here’s our last two quick tips If you’re trading in a car, be sure to bring your current certificate of title, current vehicle registration, any service records you have and the vehicle itself, preferably cleaned and ready to go.

If you’re buying a car out of state, there might be additional fees and paperwork for things like safety inspections or smog test, so it’s a good idea to look up that state’s requirements to avoid any last minute surprises.

And there you have it! By being prepared and knowing what to expect, you can be ready to buy your new car with confidence.

Want more great tip about buying, selling, maintaining, or insuring your vehicle? Visit AmFam.com or contact your local agent today.