Insuring a car in a different state
Insurers price where the car is kept. Getting that wrong can cost you a claim.
People ask this for different reasons: they've moved but kept the old policy, they have a child at college, they split the year between two homes, or they're serving away from home. The answer depends on one question: where is the car mainly kept?
The garaging address is what counts
Car insurance is priced and regulated by the state where the car is principally garaged. A policy written in one state generally has to meet that state's requirements, and the insurer has to be allowed to sell there.
Listing an old or cheaper address when the car actually lives somewhere else is misrepresentation. If it comes out after a claim, the insurer may deny the claim or cancel the policy.
When an out-of-state policy is legitimate
In each case, tell the insurer where the car really is and for how long. Let them decide how to write it.
- A student at college out of state who is still a household member at home. Many insurers allow this, but some want the school address listed.
- Military members stationed away from their home of record.
- A second home where a car is kept part of the year. Some states require their own coverage once a car has been there long enough.
- A short gap right after a move, before you've had time to switch.
After you move
Once you've moved for good, you'll need to register the car and usually get a license in the new state within a set period, and your policy should move with you. Our guide to moving states walks through the order.
Common questions
Only for a short time. Once the car is kept in the new state, the policy should be rewritten for that state, and you'll need to register the car there within the state's deadline.
Only if that's where the car is mainly kept. Using an address where the car doesn't live, to get a lower price, is misrepresentation and can void a claim.
Tell your insurer where the car is kept and for how long. Some states require their own coverage once a car has been there beyond a set number of days.
Want this priced for your situation?
This page is general information, not advice about your specific circumstances. A licensed insurance professional can tell you what’s actually available to you.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability, and terms vary by insurer and by state, and are subject to underwriting. Quote My Policy LLC connects you with licensed insurance professionals. Nothing here binds coverage.