In 2022, 27.3 million Americans moved, according to U.S. Census data, which is 4% higher than in 2021. And with auto insurance inflation continuing its high, those looking to save a few bucks should pay close attention to anything that could bump up the cost of living in your new stomping grounds.
CarInsurance.com’s moving tool can help you see how much your car insurance premium will change. To use this tool, enter the ZIP code you are moving from and the ZIP code you are moving to. Next, enter the cost of your current car insurance premium.
- If you’re moving to a different state and your current car insurance company offers policies in that state, ask for a quote.
- Get quotes from several insurance companies to compare policies side-by-side.
- Contact your car insurance company as soon as possible once you have your new address and move date.
How much will my car insurance cost change if I move?
Depending on where you live and where you’re moving, your car insurance policy cost could go up if you move. Location is a primary factor in setting car insurance rates.
Location-specific factors that can impact the cost of car insurance when moving states include weather patterns in that area, the cost of medical bills and car repairs and the frequency and cost of lawsuits due to each state’s tort vs. no-fault laws. Finally, auto insurance fraud can also affect car insurance costs when you move out of state.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to report average auto insurance rates for a 2019 Honda Accord for every ZIP code in the United States. We calculated rates using data for up to six large carriers (Allstate, Farmers, Geico, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm).
Averages are based on insurance for a married 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/100 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $100,000 for property damage in an accident) and $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. The rate includes uninsured motorist coverage. Your rate depends on personal factors and your vehicle.
How does your address affect car insurance rates?
Insurers consider the frequency, severity or cost of claims based on a ZIP code and assign a risk level based on one’s address in most states. Currently, California and Michigan are the only states that don’t allow ZIP codes to factor in car insurance rates.
Here are some other location-specific factors that can affect car insurance rates:
- Number of vehicles stolen
- Claims for property theft out of a car
- Reports of vandalism
- Fraudulent injury claims
Moving can cause your car insurance rates to go up or down. And while no set number is true for every situation and across all regions, car insurance rates in large, bustling metropolitan areas tend to be higher than those in rural areas.
Why? The basic principle applies that the denser an area, the greater the number of cars and busier highways mean an increased likelihood of getting into an accident. Furthermore, urban areas tend to have higher car theft rates and vandalism.
When do I inform my car insurance company about my move?
Once you have your new address and move date, contact your car insurance company as soon as possible. Even if you’re on a tight deadline, this is your first step—they can give you a quote and will let you know about rate adjustments. While moving is an excellent time to get quotes for car insurance, you can switch your car insurance anytime.
Can I have car insurance in two different states?
Not unless you have cars garaged in two different states. For example, if you have a house in Maine with a Ford Explorer garaged in that state, Maine would be insured for the Ford. But if you also have a Tesla Model 3 garaged at your summer home in Florida, the Tesla would be insured in Florida.
Do I need a new car insurance policy if I move in-state?
You don’t need to get a new policy if you move in-state, but moving is an excellent opportunity to compare quotes to ensure you’re paying the lowest rate for insurance. You must notify your insurer of your address changes so they can update their records. This will ensure your policy remains active and updated with the new information.
Lauren McKenzie, senior insurance agent at A Plus Insurance, says drivers who moved within the same state must update their new address to avoid an incorrect rating or possible cancellation.
Do I need to change my car insurance if I move out of state?
If your current car insurance company doesn’t offer coverage in the state you’re moving to, you’ll need to change carriers. Most states have minimum limits for property damage and liability and bodily injury liability limits. Beyond that, some states require uninsured motorist and personal injury protection insurance.
New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that don’t require car insurance. While you don’t technically need insurance in these states, you will need proof that you have enough assets to foot the bill to cover property damages and medical bills per the financial responsibility laws.
“Customers who move to different states will need to update their insurance company in order to rewrite the policy in the new state … or find another local insurance company to obtain new insurance within the new state,” McKenzie says. “Since Insurance premiums are largely based on location and ZIP code, updating this pertinent information on the policy is necessary.”
Can I keep my current auto insurance policy if I move to a neighboring state?
The short answer is no, says Ezra Peterson, senior director of insurance sales for Way.com in Dallas, Texas.
“When you move a policy may extend temporarily, but you will have to switch to a state-specific policy in your new state as they aren’t interchangeable,” he says.
Car insurance checklist when moving
If you’re gearing up for a big move, here’s what you should have on your to-do list for car insurance when uprooting to a new abode:
- Reach out to your current insurer to see if moving will affect your car insurance rates
- Make sure you understand your new state’s car insurance requirements
- Get quotes to see if your car insurance will go up if you move
- Look for discounts when moving
- Read company reviews
- Register your car in the new state if you move
- Cancel your old policy after the new policy is in effect
Reach out to your current insurer to see if moving will affect your car insurance rates
Let them know that you’ll soon have a change of address. If you’re moving to a different state and your current car insurance company offers policies in that state, ask for a quote.
“Customers do not need to give notice to an insurance company before moving,” McKenzie says. “Generally, customers have 30 days to contact their insurance provider after the move and update the new address.”
Make sure you understand your new state’s car insurance requirements
Research the minimum insurance requirements if you’re moving to a new state. This information can be found on the state’s DMV website. Each state has different minimum requirements for car insurance, so your rate might be affected accordingly.
However, state minimums aren’t enough protection for most people – purchase an auto policy with higher liability limits and full coverage so you’re financially protected in a crash.
Get quotes to see if your car insurance will go up if you move
Getting quotes from several insurance companies to see if your car insurance will increase if you move is a good idea. That way, you can compare them side-by-side. Just make sure the quotes are for the same coverage limits.
To get the most accurate quote, be sure to provide the VIN and year, make and model of your cars, the number of cars you want to insure and an estimate of how many miles you put on your vehicle each year.
Look for discounts when moving
To keep the costs down — especially if you’re moving to a place where your car insurance will go up — ask about discounts for which you’ll qualify. You might be able to lower your car insurance cost by bundling your policy with other policies like homeowners or renters, getting a policy for multiple cars under one roof, having a clean driving record and enrolling in autopay.
Read company reviews
If you’re considering going with a new insurance company, see which companies are ranked the best by CarInsurance.com editors. Check the NAIC website for consumer complaints and AM Best for its financial stability rating. You can also get the scoop on a company’s track record by reading insurance company’s J.D. Power reviews.
Register your car in the new state if you move
After getting new car insurance or updating your policy, you must register your car in your new state at the DMV. Make an appointment at the DMV if you can, and make sure you have all the required documents before arriving at your appointment.
Cancel your old policy after the new policy is in effect
After you’ve purchased a new insurance policy, be sure to cancel your old one. Otherwise, you might be paying unnecessarily for double coverage. Make sure there isn’t a coverage gap — triple-check policy start and end times and dates.
How long do you have to change your car insurance when you move?
This varies by insurance carrier and by state.
“Generally speaking you should notify your existing carrier of a material change to the policy as soon as it’s official and you have moved into your new home,” Peterson says.
Sooner is even better so you have plenty of time to do your homework to find different rates and get quotes from a handful of car insurance companies.
At this point, the insurer may just write you a new policy for that state – provided they operate there — or advise you of the cancellation/non-renewal period, he says. However, your current insurer might not be the cheapest in your new state.
Once you notify your insurance company of the address change, they will advise you of the termination date of your existing coverage (usually 30 days or at policy renewal), meaning you need to procure a new policy in that state.
How can I prevent an unexpected premium increase when moving out-of-state?
You can easily avoid a considerable premium increase by getting online quotes based on your new address. Then you’ll have a reasonable estimate of what you should expect to pay when moving to a new state.
“Many states offer premium comparison tools on their Department of Insurance websites, which can provide a good gauge of what an average premium difference will look like,” Peterson says. “Remember, for every state you see a premium increase in, you may find a decrease in other states.”
For example, he says, going from New York to Ohio will likely result in a substantial decrease.
Expert answers to your car insurance questions
When should you switch your car insurance while moving?
If you’re moving, ideally, you should switch your car insurance before the change of address – the sooner, the better – so you’ll have plenty of time to do your homework for different rates and get quotes from a handful of car insurance companies.
How do you switch your car insurance after you’ve moved?
If you’ve already moved and have yet to switch your car insurance, do so as soon as possible. Depending on your state, you may be unable to register your car and get your tags. To switch your car insurance after moving, contact your car insurance company and request a change for your new address. After you’ve purchased a new policy, you’ll need to cancel the old one.
Do you need insurance to register your car in a new state?
Yes. Most states require proof of insurance before you can register your vehicle. Each state DMV has different rules and regulations, so you’ll want to check the rules in your state.
How do you update your address if you’re moving?
Updating your address is easy. Tell your car insurance company when you’ll be moving and your new address. While some insurance companies require you to change over the phone, others allow you to update your address online or through an app.
What should you do if your move is temporary?
If you’re moving for a few weeks, you don’t need to change your car insurance. If you’re moving for several months or longer, contact your insurance company to discuss the situation and ensure you follow the company’s rules. Insurance policies typically run for six months (or longer) but can be canceled if you no longer need insurance. Importantly, ensure you don’t have a gap in coverage, which can mean penalties down the line.
“If the move is temporary, like moving across states, the customer needs to notify the insurance provider within 30 days of the move,” McKenzie says. “The insurance company will determine if they are able to write business in the new State and what the cost would be, or if a customer will need to look for insurance elsewhere.”
What should you do if your current insurance company doesn’t offer coverage in the state you’re moving to?
This can be your opportunity to find cheaper car insurance. Log onto the DMV in the state you’re moving to and determine their auto insurance and registration requirements. Different states usually have different regulations and laws.
Get three quotes from different insurers to see which will offer you the best policy. Once you’ve chosen a new insurer, call or go online to finalize your premium and purchase. Make sure you have the beginning date of your new policy in writing and don’t have a coverage gap.
Once you’ve purchased a new policy, you can cancel the old one.
Prepared for the move: Will relocating increase your insurance costs?
If you maintain a good driving record, shop around for the best rates, and inform your insurance company about your new address and any changes in circumstances that could affect premiums.
Ultimately, your location affects your insurance rates, so shop for the cheapest policy.
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Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
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