How do I move car insurance to another state?

Moving car insurance between states is fairly easy, but there are steps you need to take to avoid any lapse in coverage and maintain affordable premiums.

First, you need to notify your car insurance carrier before moving and inquire about their policy offering in your new home state.

If they are licensed in your new state, they will need to adjust your premiums and policies.

Even if your insurance company is licensed in your new state, they are not required to pay an accident claim if you fail to notify them of your move.

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Why do my premiums or coverage change when I move to a new state?

Different states have different car insurance requirements, and various laws affect the cost of auto insurance depending on where you live.

Drivers who only carry a minimal amount of car insurance coverage often see the most significant change when moving states, especially walking somewhere the legal requirements are higher.

Car insurance premiums are determined by risk, and sometimes a state has a higher risk associated with it than another one, based on statistical analysis.

If you’re moving to a higher-risk state, your premium will go up accordingly.

When assets change, the level of insurance often needs to change, too, to make sure those assets are protected.

Which states have the cheapest car insurance?

It’s hard to compare apples and apples with auto insurance costs by the state because it is dependent on so many factors.

Things like the type of vehicle insured, the unique driving history of the applicant, and available discounts.

However, it is possible to estimate at least which states are at the high and low ends of the range.

The states that tend to offer lower car insurance rates are:

• Maine
• Vermont
• Ohio
• Wisconsin
• New Hampshire
• Iowa
• Massachusetts

Incidentally, the states that tend to charge more for auto insurance are:

• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Oklahoma
• Montana
• California
• South Dakota
• Washington D.C.
• Georgia

Does my car insurance cover me if I drive in a different state?

In just about all cases, the answer is yes; your auto insurance coverage is excellent in all 50 states. However, there are some things to keep in mind.

The minimum driving age varies from state to state, so while it may be legal to have your 15-year-old drive with a learner’s permit in your home state, they may not be legal to drive in the country next door.

If the driver is not technically legal to drive in another state, the insurance could be nullified. Even if the insurance does pay, there will probably be some fines from local law enforcement.

In other words, if you do $15,000 worth of damage and you only have $10,000 liability coverage, you are going to end up paying $5,000.

Do all states have an auto insurance requirement?

At this time, all states do require auto insurance, but the specific types and levels vary from state to state.

Most states require at least liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage, but the minimum coverage amounts vary considerably.

In most cases, the crime is a misdemeanor with a fine attached, but the punishment varies quite a bit, depending on the state and the circumstances.

Some states might also penalize a motorist who doesn’t meet their insurance requirements with the suspension of their driver’s license or even jail time.

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