If you're going to be insuring the car anyway why not just get a few quotes & take the numbers with you when you go to view the car & if you buy the car just call the insurance company & ask them to start the cover straightaway.
Good idea AJ but im afraid im not so keen on doing that:
a) If i get stopped on the way home i would have no insurance docs on me.
b) I would expect the insurance company would require additional payment before cover would start.
vinnyvangough - Did you require to be the owner of the vehicle at the time of filling out the quote etc? Say for instance I buy (and pay for) the insurance on Wednesday evening (before i own the car), and schedule the cover to start on Sat for two days - is it possible to purchase the insurance when i am technically not the owner of the vehicle at time of payment.