Can You Keep the Same Car Insurance from One State If You Move to Another State?
Last Updated on March 19, 2023
So you’re moving to a new state. Can you keep the same car insurance from your old state when moving to a new state? Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about car insurance requirements between states.
No, You Typically Cannot Keep the Same Exact Car Insurance Policy in a New State
If you’re moving out of state, you almost always need new car insurance.
That doesn’t mean you need to switch insurance companies, however. Instead, most drivers contact their current insurance company and inform them of the move.
State laws typically require registering your vehicle in your new state within 30 to 90 days. Use these days to shop for car insurance in your new state or to inform your current insurance company about the move.
It’s important to remember that you should not cancel your old car insurance policy before setting up your new one. Many drivers have inadvertently caused their car insurance to lapse because they canceled their old policy before getting a new policy. Driving without car insurance is illegal, risky, and very costly if you get into an accident.
States Have Different Auto Insurance Laws
The United States is a collection of 50 states with 50 different auto insurance laws. Some states – like New Hampshire – don’t even require drivers to have an auto insurance policy. Other states, like Florida, are considered no-fault states, which means your car insurance pays for damages regardless of who is at fault.
The important thing to note here is that states have vastly different auto insurance laws. Some states require just $30,000 of property damage liability coverage, while others require $50,000.
When moving to a new state, you’ll want to compare as many auto insurance quotes as possible. Use an online form – like the one at the top of our website – to immediately compare car insurance quotes in your new state.
You might find vastly different policies even from your same insurance company. For example, the insurance policies offered by GEICO in Michigan can be vastly different from those they offer in California. It’s the same company but with different insurance products for different states.
Or, if your policy is with a smaller, regional insurance company, you might find that they’re unavailable in your new state. Some insurance companies don’t offer policies in a new state, so you may need to switch to a new company.
If You’re Happy With your Current Insurance Company, then Call Them to Make the Switch
Ultimately, here’s what it boils down to when moving to a new state: if you’re happy with your current insurance company, then call your insurance company after you move to your new state.
Your insurance company will be able to easily switch your policy to match the requirements of your new state. Your insurance prices might go slightly up or down during the move, depending on if you’re going to a cheaper or more expensive state for car insurance.
If You’re Unhappy with your Current Insurance Company, Compare Quotes Online and Switch to a New Provider
Moving to a new state is a great excuse to start shopping for car insurance. States have vastly different car insurance policies, and you might find better deals and discounts when shopping for car insurance in your new state.
Even if you’re satisfied with your car insurance company, shopping around is not a bad idea. Your car insurance company might charge you the same rates in your new state, for example, even though car insurance is significantly cheaper in your new state.
Factors that Affect Car Insurance Prices in a New State
Even if your new and old states have similar insurance laws and prices, you might pay vastly different rates for car insurance. Some of the factors that affect car insurance prices in a new state, for example, include:
New Neighborhood and ZIP Code: Your new neighborhood might have a relatively high crime rate or a high rate of vehicle break-ins. It might have more traffic or higher accident rates. All of these can raise your premiums.
Worse Weather: Your new state might have an increased risk of flooding, hailstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, or other weather-related incidents.
Life Changes: Moving to a new state is often a major life move. You might be changing your mileage, for example, or adding new drivers – like a new roommate – to your policy.
Conclusion
You need to change your car insurance when moving to a new state. Every state in the United States has different auto insurance laws. Auto insurance is particularly expensive in some states and surprisingly cheap in others. Some states have high coverage requirements, while other states have minimum coverage requirements. For all these reasons, comparing car insurance quotes when moving to a new state is a good idea.
Sometimes, you’ll end up with the same car insurance company. In other cases, you’ll benefit from switching to a new provider. Whatever you choose to do, moving is a great time to start comparing auto insurance quotes.
