What happens if I change my address for auto insurance?
If you move, a change of address for auto insurance is required. Changing your address when moving, or even changing where you park, could shift your rates by more than $1,000. If you move to another location, you have 30 days to change your address info with your auto insurance company. An intentional auto insurance change of address to get cheaper rates is considered automotive insurance fraud.
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Written by
Mathew B. Sims
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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UPDATED: May 3, 2021
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- The best auto insurance companies use your ZIP code to calculate insurance rates
- Crime rates and traffic congestion are identified within your ZIP code
- Where you park your car will impact the cost of insurance and the type of insurance you should have
- Providing the wrong address for reducing the cost of insurance is a form of insurance fraud
Let’s say you’ve moved recently. Is a change of address for auto insurance required? The short answer is yes.
Though you may not think of it, it’s important to alert your auto insurance company whenever you have a change of address. Your rates could change dramatically or not at all, depending on auto insurance laws.
For affordable auto insurance rates, enter your ZIP code into our free rate comparison tool. This will give you auto insurance quotes for a change of address to see if you could save money legally at your new address.
Is using a different address for auto insurance considered fraud?
What happens if I don’t change my address on auto insurance or change it for a better rate? Regardless of whether your address has changed, your insurance address must be your physical one.
Using a different address is considered a form of insurance fraud, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
This table shows how much automobile fraud can end up costing.
| Auto Insurance Fraud Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Automobile Claim Fraud Cost | $5.6 billion-$7.7 billion |
| States with Highest Car Insurance Fraud Rate | - Florida (31%) - New York (24%) - Massachusetts (22%) - Minnesota (22%) |
| Most Common Type of Car Insurance Fraud | Claim Buildup |
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The penalties for committing insurance fraud vary by state but can include incarceration and heavy fines.
What happens if you don’t update your address with your auto insurance company?
You need to be careful about providing information to the insurance company. Everything that you provide needs to be truthful and accurate. If you forgot to update your address on auto insurance, insurers may not be generous if you get into a car wreck.
You must let the insurer know. Otherwise, you could end up being charged with auto insurance fraud.
Changing your address with the insurance company is a simple process. You can make the changes online or over the phone. Either way, it’s going to prompt a recalculation of your rates.
Your rates might stay the same or go up or down based on your current address versus your new address, as well as where you park your car.
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Does your ZIP code help determine your auto insurance rates?
Will your rate change if you move? Does a change of address affect auto insurance, and do you have to tell your auto insurance company when you move?
A change of address for auto insurance could mean a change in your rates. Even an in-state move could affect your rates.
When dealing with a reputable insurance company such as GEICO, change address instructions are key to remaining in good standing.
Why does an address change have the potential to increase your insurance rates? Insurance companies need to know what your ZIP code is because it is used to determine a number of statistics, including:
- Crime rate within your area
- The number of accidents that occur on a regular basis
Will my auto insurance go up if I move to a new house?
If you change your address within the same ZIP code, it probably isn’t going to have a significant impact on your premium.
However, you still need to update the address with the insurance company so you can continue to receive any information the company sends regarding your policy, etc.
Some insurance companies put more significance on your address than others. It’s important to get quotes from multiple insurance companies, particularly if you live in an area with a higher crime rate or a lot of traffic congestion.
Does where you park influence your auto insurance rates?
Where you park your car is an important factor when calculating auto insurance. Some of the different places you might park include:
- On the road
- In the driveway
- In a secure parking garage
- In your attached home garage
Each location has its pros and cons. Insurance companies will look at the risk of your car being stolen or damaged where it is parked. Parking garages and home garages are among the safest places for your car to be.
If you park on the road or in a driveway, your car is exposed to the elements, and it is also easier for someone to break into the car or steal it.
You might also want to include uninsured motorist coverage on your policy to protect against hit-and-runs. If you come out and find that your car has been rear-ended or the side view mirror has been broken off, you will want this coverage to be able to file a claim.
When you change address for auto insurance, insurance companies are going to ask you where you park. If you are parking in a different spot than where you used to park, it could either help or hurt your insurance premiums.
For example, if you previously parked on the street and are now parking in a garage, you could end up saving you money on your rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions: What happens if I change my address for auto insurance?
Still have questions about what happens to your auto insurance when you change your address? Read these frequently asked questions for more.
#1 – How many days do I have to report a change of address for auto insurance?
As we already noted, changing your address when moving is important to ensure you aren’t committing insurance fraud. You have 30 days to update your change of address for your auto insurance and your driver’s license and registration for most states.
#2 – Do I have to change auto insurance if I move out-of-state?
You can’t have an auto insurance policy in one state while you live in another. You normally have 30 days to change your driver’s license, registration, and auto insurance from the date you move in.
Your new state may also have different insurance requirements, so you’ll need to find out what you’re required to carry to legally drive. You will also need to contact your local DMV for an updated license and vehicle registration.
#3 – Why does a change of address make my auto insurance higher?
Moving to a new address in a different state, or even a different city, can lead to an increase in your insurance premium rate.
Several factors can determine your rate adjustment, including your driving record, laws and regulations in your new state, your age, and your driving usage history can determine rate adjustments.
#4 – Can I live in one state and have auto insurance in another?
Can you have auto insurance from a different state than the state you live in? No, you must change your information over to the state you live in to avoid having the wrong address on your auto insurance policy. Your auto insurance address cannot be different than your home address.
#5 – How do I switch auto insurance if I move out of state?
Find the lowest rates possible by comparing auto insurance quotes, no matter where you’ve moved.
#6 – Do insurance companies require address verification?
You will usually only need to provide verification of your address if the address you provide to the insurance company doesn’t match the address on other paperwork (like your credit report).
#7 – What if you have a dual residence?
If you live in both residences or keep a vehicle stored at your second residence, you’ll need policies for both locations.
If you’re ready to buy auto insurance after changing your address, enter your ZIP code into our free tool to start comparing auto insurance rates for a change of address today.