Tips on Buying Cars: Insurance/Title/Registration, jeremy hope, getting insurance

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jeremy!
Hope all is well.
About a few months ago, you really helped me with a question I had on buying a car from my brother in Ma and having it shipped to CA(while living in VA) Not sure if you remember that.
Anyway, my plans have changed, and I am just about to buy the car from my brother(living in MA) and I'm in VA. I'm confused about what the proper steps are to get insurance, while the car is still registered under my brother(along with the plates being from MA) I am going to pick up the car in MA in 2 weeks. I'm going to be driving it down to VA with my brother. VA requires that prior to registering the car(i.e. heading to DMV) the car must pass Safety Inspection and emission. Could you provide a step-by-step approach on what I should do prior to getting the car(i.e. insurance) and after getting the car(i.e. insurance and registration) I feel as if the confusing part is getting the car here with or without MA tags. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Have a great Labor Day!
Lucca

ANSWER: Lucca,

I remember your question very well.  Thank you for using our service once again.

First you need to get the car inspected.  In order to do that you will probably need to get insurance.  Who owns the vehicle should not matter on getting insurance.  Anyone can get insurance on a vehicle. You need to get insurance on it before you can register it.  Once registered you are good. So here is the break down.

Call and get insurance on the vehicle in the state you reside in
Take the vehicle to get the safety inspection
Get the vehicle registered.
You are done.

Hope this helps.

Thanks - Jb

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jeremy,
Thanks again.
So there is nothing wrong/illegal by driving the car down to VA with MA license plates?...is that correct? It will have to be inspected for safety with MA plates. So from your breakdown, if I go get the car on the weekend of Sept. 12th, should I get insurance for the car under my name starting on the 12th?...and my brother canceling the insurance on the 13th(just to be safe)
Sorry for any frustration I may be causing. You have been such a great help.
Thanks again!
Lucca

Answer
Lucca,

Don't apologize.  Your questions are not frustrating.

No, there is no problem or illegal act by driving the vehicle into VA with MA plates.  You will need to get insurance on the vehicle prior to driving the vehicle.  

Hope this helps.

Thanks - Jb