Can I insure a car not at my address?

Asked by: Elisa Bruen  |  Last update: April 26, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (68 votes)

Car insurance companies require addresses because location is a risk factor when determining rates.

Can you insure someone with a different address?

Legally the only address you can use is where your car is your primary address and often that's your home address. Using someone else's address is considered insurance fraud. Insurers can deny your claims and cancel your insurance if you make a claim and they find out that you weren't truthful about your address.

Can you insure a car that is not at your residence?

If you're homeless and in need of car insurance, keep your vehicle at a friend's house and use that address for your quote. It's critical that you park the vehicle at this location when it's not in use.

Can I stay on my parents' car insurance if I live at a different address?

Nope. Your car needs to be registered and insured where you live. Besides that it's fraud, if you used your parents' address when you lived in another state, it would be easy for an adjuster to find out and the claim most likely would not be covered.

Does the address on my car insurance matter?

Essentially, your address helps insurers paint a picture of your overall risk profile. By understanding the factors associated with your location, they can more accurately assess the likelihood and potential cost of a claim, ensuring they charge a premium that reflects the risk you represent.

Cheap Car Insurance! Can you use a different address to get cheaper rates on your car insurance?

39 related questions found

Can I use my friend's address for car insurance?

Using a friend or family member's address, especially if they live in a safer neighborhood, is a common tactic to reduce auto insurance premiums. However, this practice, seemingly harmless and financially savvy to some, is viewed as fraudulent by insurance companies.

What happens if you don't update your address for car insurance?

Your insurance company will cancel your old policy because every state has different coverage requirements and regulations.

Does my car insurance have to be where I live?

In general, your car must be registered and insured in the same state, since both vehicle registration and auto insurance are based on your permanent residence. In fact, using an address for insurance that's different from the primary residence where you keep your vehicle is a form of insurance fraud.

Can my parents insure my car if I live with them?

Usually, you remain eligible for coverage on your parents' policy if you still live with them full-time. However, there are exceptions. See the following chart for the scenarios when you likely will and won't be eligible to remain on their policy.

How long can I use my parents' address as my permanent address?

Your parents' home where you can return to at any time still remains your permanent home address. This is even if you've lived away from this address for the past four or five years.

Can I insure my daughter's car if she doesn't live with me?

Unfortunately, because the car and your child are not located at your house anymore, they cannot stay on your car insurance policy unless they're a full-time student. Car insurance providers require that the insured live at their residence and park their car at their address to be listed on a policy.

Does everyone in the house need to be on car insurance?

Generally speaking, insurers will ask you to list all household members when applying for a car insurance policy. Young children (typically under the age of 14) should be exempt, but the other individuals in your household should be disclosed, including: Spouse. Significant other.

Can I insure two cars at different addresses?

In some cases, insurance companies will require that all cars be registered to the same address. And others may allow you to combine policies with immediate family members, regardless of where they live. There's a lot to learn about adding authorized drivers or adding another car to your auto policy.

Do you have to live at the same address to share car insurance?

What if they don't live with me? If you and your friend don't currently share an address, then they won't be able to be on your car insurance policy — even if they're planning to move in at a later date.

Can I have someone on my car insurance that doesn't live with me?

You typically will not be able to add a non-related driver who does not live in your home to your insurance policy. If you and a friend own a vehicle together but do not live at the same address, you may have trouble obtaining an auto insurance policy.

Can I be on my parents car insurance with a different address?

Only if you live with them. Insurers typically require all licensed drivers who live at the same address to be listed on a policy, especially if they frequently borrow each other's cars.

Can I drive my parents car if my name isn t on the insurance?

Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.

Can I be on my parents car insurance if I moved out?

Moving Out

If you're a full-time college student, you can usually stay on your parents' policy as a listed driver. However, if you move out permanently, you'll need your own policy, especially if you take a vehicle with you. Remember, your parents can't insure a car that's not kept at their address.

Is it illegal to have car insurance at a different address?

Keeping your car insurance registered at a different address can be viewed as misrepresentation, resulting in severe consequences. If your insurance provider discovers that you are lying about the address on the car insurance, they may deny your claims or cancel your policy altogether.

Can I have a different address on my license and insurance?

First of all, your insurance policy and your driver's license (as well as your vehicle registration) should use the same address. Depending on which insurance company you have, that will determine how quickly you should get this taken care of, but generally it's around 30-60 days.

Is car insurance based on address?

Car insurance rates vary based on your location; your state, city, and ZIP code each play a role in the rate you'll pay. Insurers use the address you park your to determine how likely you are to file a claim for vehicle damage, vandalism, theft, or an accident.

Do you need proof of address for car insurance?

Most car insurance companies require proof of your address, particularly if you have recently moved or if the company is receiving conflicting address information from public records.

Can insurance deny claim for wrong address?

If you changed addresses when you moved into a new house and failed to notify your insurance provider, your insurer could deny a future claim. While this is unfair, this condition is actually stated in your contract with the insurer, so always make sure to read and fully understand your policy's terms and conditions.

Can my son drive my car if he doesn't live with me?

If your son doesn't live with you but needs to borrow your car, he can do so with your permission. It is known as permissive use, which means that when someone who doesn't live with you gets permission to borrow your car, they are also “borrowing” your auto insurance coverage.

Is it illegal for someone else to use my address?

Is It Illegal for Someone To Use Your Address? Yes, using someone else's address or someone using your address is illegal. This type of fraud is known as address fraud and manifests in various guises such as brushing scams and rental scams.