How Changing Your Address Affects Auto Insurance (2024)
Learn how changing your address affects auto insurance to get the best rates. Your premiums are influenced by local crime rates, commute times, and the number of uninsured drivers in your area. Idaho is the cheapest state for insurance, with rates at $57/mo, while Louisiana is the most expensive at $114/mo.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 15, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 15, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- You should update your car insurance address when you move, even if it’s only a short distance
- Using a different address for your car insurance can be considered fraudulent and may lead to penalties
- Your parking spot can influence your auto insurance rates, so be sure to factor that into your decision when choosing a new place to live
Do auto insurance companies check where you live? Yes — while you may not think twice about how auto insurance rates change when you move, your car insurance address change is more important than you think.
So if you’re planning a move or have recently moved, read on to find out everything you need to know about how changing your address affects auto insurance. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s so important to keep your auto insurance address up to date and the potential consequences of not doing so.
If your rates have gone up after a move, take a look at our free quote comparison tool to find more affordable car insurance for your new address.
How Changing Your Address Affects Auto Insurance Rates
Your premium is the amount you pay for your car insurance coverage, and where you live has a big impact on how much your policy costs. This is because minimum auto insurance requirements by state determine how much coverage you need. More coverage means higher rates. Local crime rates, commute times, and the number of uninsured drivers in your area also impact your premiums.
Compare auto insurance rates by state to see how changing your address affects car insurance:
Liability vs. Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates by State
| States | Monthly Liability Rates | Monthly Full Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33 | $72 |
| Alaska | $45 | $86 |
| Arizona | $42 | $81 |
| Arkansas | $33 | $76 |
| California | $41 | $82 |
| Colorado | $43 | $82 |
| Connecticut | $54 | $96 |
| Delaware | $67 | $103 |
| District of Columbia | $52 | $111 |
| Florida | $71 | $105 |
| Georgia | $46 | $87 |
| Hawaii | $38 | $73 |
| Idaho | $29 | $57 |
| Illinois | $37 | $74 |
| Indiana | $32 | $63 |
| Iowa | $25 | $59 |
| Kansas | $30 | $72 |
| Kentucky | $44 | $78 |
| Louisiana | $65 | $117 |
| Maine | $28 | $59 |
| Maryland | $51 | $93 |
| Massachusetts | $51 | $94 |
| Michigan | $66 | $114 |
| Minnesota | $38 | $73 |
| Mississippi | $38 | $83 |
| Missouri | $35 | $73 |
| Montana | $32 | $72 |
| Nebraska | $30 | $69 |
| Nevada | $57 | $92 |
| New Hampshire | $33 | $68 |
| New Jersey | $72 | $115 |
| New Mexico | $41 | $78 |
| New York | $67 | $113 |
| North Carolina | $30 | $66 |
| North Dakota | $25 | $64 |
| Ohio | $33 | $66 |
| Oklahoma | $38 | $84 |
| Oregon | $49 | $75 |
| Pennsylvania | $42 | $81 |
| Rhode Island | $63 | $109 |
| South Carolina | $44 | $81 |
| South Dakota | $25 | $64 |
| Tennessee | $34 | $73 |
| Texas | $44 | $92 |
| Utah | $41 | $73 |
| Vermont | $29 | $64 |
| Virginia | $35 | $70 |
| Washington | $50 | $81 |
| West Virginia | $41 | $85 |
| Wisconsin | $31 | $61 |
| Wyoming | $27 | $71 |
| National Average | $45 | $84 |
Other factors that car insurance companies take into account when determining your premium include:
- The type of car you drive
- Your driving record
- Your age, gender, and marital status
In some states, insurance companies are not allowed to use gender to determine rates.
How Your Parking Spot Affects Auto Insurance Rates
Where you park your car can also affect your insurance rates. For example, if you usually park on the street, you could pay more for auto insurance than if you park in a secured garage or driveway.
If you park your car in a secure parking lot or garage at your new address, update this information with your insurance company. It could result in lower rates for you. You can get an even better deal if your garage has safety features like an alarm system or security cameras.
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Why Auto Insurance Companies Need Your Address
Your insurance company needs to have up-to-date information for your car insurance coverage to remain valid and properly process any claims. If you fail to update your address, it could result in higher rates or denied claims.
You need to update your car insurance address when you move. There are a few reasons to do this:
- Insurance companies use your address to help determine your premiums.
- If you’re involved in an accident, the insurance company will need to know where you live in order to process your claim.
- Each state has its own laws and requirements for car insurance coverage, so your current policy may not be valid in your new state.
- If you’re leasing or financing your car and don’t update your auto insurance address when you move, you could violate your lease agreement or loan contract.
Most insurance companies give policyholders up to 30 days to update their address after moving. If you forget to change your car insurance address, many insurance companies allow you to update your address online or call a customer service representative.
However, if you intentionally use a false address to try and lower your rates, this is considered insurance fraud and can result in penalties such as fines, a suspension of your driver’s license, and even jail time.
Learn More: What should I do if someone is using my address for auto insurance?
Auto Insurance For Temporary Addresses
If you’re only temporarily living at a new address, like on a business trip or vacation, you may not need a change of address for car insurance.
It depends on the length of your stay and where you’ll be driving. As long as you meet the terms and conditions of your policy, your auto insurance should cover you in the event of an accident.
It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance company before making any temporary changes to ensure you’re fully covered. Some insurance companies may require you to update your address if you’re going to be staying at a temporary location for an extended period.
Final Thoughts on How Changing Your Address Affects Auto Insurance
Now that you understand how changing your address affects car insurance, make sure to update your auto insurance with any changes to your address, whether it’s a permanent or temporary move. This can affect your monthly insurance premiums, so compare quotes with our free tool above to find better rates at your new address.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do auto insurance companies ask for your address?
Insurance companies need to know your address to calculate rates and send policy and claim documents.
Why did my auto insurance premium increase when I changed my address?
Your auto insurance rates and coverage can be affected by your address because of various factors, such as the crime rate in the area and the likelihood of natural disasters.
How do I change my auto insurance address?
The process is simple and can be done online or over the phone. You will need to contact your insurance company and provide your new address. The insurer will send a new insurance card or update the mobile app with your new information. In most cases, you will also need to update your registration with the DMV.
Can I transfer my current auto insurance policy to my new address?
In most cases, you can transfer your current auto insurance policy to your new address. However, the availability of coverage and rates may vary based on your new location.
How do auto insurance companies know you moved?
Insurance providers will find out if you moved when they check your information at renewal. Insurers use driver’s licenses, utility bills, vehicle registrations, and more to verify a policyholder’s identity.
What if I forgot to tell my auto insurance company I moved?
Failing to update your auto insurance address could result in a dropped policy and denied claims.
Does credit score affect auto insurance?
Credit score can impact your auto insurance quotes depending on where you live. Check your state insurance laws to see if companies are allowed to consider credit scores when determining rates.
How does location affect auto insurance?
Where you live and park your car will raise your car insurance rates if your area has increased theft rates and commute times.
What would make an auto insurance company drop you?
Insurance companies will drop your policy if you lie about your address or other personal information.
How can I avoid an auto insurance premium increase?
Paying your premiums on time and maintaining a safe driving record will keep your auto insurance rates low.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.