Insurance when your business moves states
Each policy has its own reason to change when the address does.
Moving a business across state lines is mostly a legal and tax exercise: registering in the new state as a foreign entity or moving the company's home state. Insurance is the part that gets missed, and several policies are written state by state.
Policy by policy
- Property: add the new location before anything arrives there, and check coverage for equipment and stock in transit.
- General liability and business owner's policies: update the address, and check the insurer is licensed in the new state.
- Workers' compensation: rules, rates and requirements differ by state. In a few states it must be bought from a state fund.
- Commercial auto: vehicles registered and garaged in the new state need a policy written for that state.
- Professional liability: check whether your license and coverage apply in the new state.
During the move
Business income coverage may not pay for a planned move. Plan for downtime yourself. If you're using a moving company, check its liability option and your own inland marine coverage for equipment in transit.
Clients and contracts
Clients, landlords and lenders may require updated certificates of insurance showing the new address. Send them promptly to avoid holdups.
Common questions
Often some of it. Your insurer must be licensed in the new state, workers' comp and commercial auto are state-specific, and the property policy needs the new location.
Not always. Property policies may limit coverage in transit. Check with your insurer, and consider inland marine coverage for equipment on the move.
Rules differ by state. Your policy may need to be amended or replaced, and a few states require coverage from a state fund.
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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.