When Moving To A New State, Should Your Auto Insurance Change?

Different states have different requirements when it comes to car insurance. Some states may have coverage requirements that are different from the state you're moving from, while others may have a higher cost of living. As a result, you may need to pay more or less depending on where you're moving to.

Additionally, insurance agents are normally only licensed in the states in which they live. This combination of factors means that changing car insurance policies is almost always necessary when moving to a new state.

Finding the Right Carrier When Moving

When moving to a new state necessitates changing your insurance policy, you'll want to approach this carefully to avoid leaving yourself without insurance and to ensure you get a good deal. The first thing you'll want to check is whether your insurance carrier also offers insurance in the new location.

Your insurance agent can connect you with other agents of the same carrier in the new location. There is no guarantee that this will be the case. You can also ask friends and family members that live in the new state or ask several carriers for quotes.

When to Switch Carriers

You should switch your insurance carrier as soon as possible when moving to a new state. Different states have different laws regarding this, but you'll usually have around 30 – 90 days to register your car in the new state.

However, you should avoid a situation where you don't have a valid insurance at any point in time. It's possible for your carrier to set your policy up for cancellation without notifying you if they know that you're moving to a new state.

You should switch carriers either before you renew your license plate or just before you're required to renew your policy (whichever comes first).

Don't Rush to Switch

Although it's a good idea to make any required changes so you don't end up without auto insurance at any point in time, it's also important that you don't rush into the decision. As long as you're still operating within the time provided to make the switch, take time to analyze different carriers to ensure you're getting the best policy.

Even if your current carrier is available in the new state, this may not mean that they will be your best option in the new state. You should also remember that changing insurance is only required if you're going to be a permanent resident of the new state.

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