General Motors has launched a pilot program in which it will give anyone buying or leasing a new GM car one year of free car insurance. It is only being offered in two states for the time being, but the idea is to streamline the buying process, which can be hampered by having to purchase car insurance.

Residents of Pacific Northwest to get free MetLife car insurance

A major hurdle in the car buying process can be arranging car insurance for the vehicle, but General Motors has a novel idea aimed at doing away with that, according to USA Today. General Motors is going to offer one year of free car insurance to motorists who purchase a new GM car or truck through MetLife. However, the free insurance program from GM is not necessarily going to be something people can rely on being offered in perpetuity. It is only being offered, for the time being, in Washington and Oregon.

Offer runs through September

This offer is only good until Sept. 6. The free insurance offer only extends to new Chevy, Cadillac, Buick and GMC cars, trucks or SUVs of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 model years, according to MotorTrend. The insurance will cover full injury and liability and satisfies all insurance requirements in the states of Washington and Oregon. People who purchase GM cars during this promotion can waive the free insurance if they wish to at no extra cost. The coverage extends to the driver, the car and anyone who drives the car with the driver’s permission. The insurance offer does not extend to fleet or commercial vehicle buyers. After a year of coverage, drivers can purchase their own insurance or continue receiving MetLife car insurance and start paying for it.

More is always better

The program is aimed at boosting sales in the Pacific Northwest, according to CNN, an area where GM sales are not as strong as the company would like. The strategy of offering free insurance was arrived at after GM saw research indicating people are often put off by having to buy car insurance at the same time as purchasing the car. However, GM’s sales are up overall. GM sales for this year are up 11 percent from last year so far overall. Sales to consumers alone are up 16 percent, which doesn’t include any sales to fleets or corporations.

Sources

USA Today

MotorTrend

CNN