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

Asked by: Myrtis Mills MD  |  Last update: May 18, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (21 votes)

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.

Can I use another address for my car insurance?

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 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.

Is car insurance tied to address?

Your location, where you park your car each day, is a key factor in determining your car insurance coverage price. Your insurance rate can increase for many reasons, including moving to a new address.

Does your car insurance have to be where you 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.

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

20 related questions found

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.

Do car insurance check proof of address?

It depends on the insurance company, but most will accept proof in the form of a utility bill or something similar to prove where you live. I recommend calling your insurance company to find out what documentation they will require to prove your residency and reinstate your policy.

Can my friend use my 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.

Is it important to change address on car insurance?

In this case, it is EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to inform your auto insurance company of your move. Not only will this effect your premium, but different states have different laws when it comes to the types and amounts of auto insurance coverages drivers have to maintain.

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 you be on someone's insurance and not live with them?

Your car insurance coverage isn't limited to drivers listed on your policy. The coverage can be extended to individuals who occasionally use your vehicle and don't live in your home.

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 my car insurance address have to match my license?

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 it illegal to use an old 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.

What happens if I don't update my address on insurance?

What Happens If I Don't Change My Address on My Car Insurance? Not changing your address when you move, especially if you move states, can cause problems with your insurance company. In the worst-case scenario, you may be criminally liable.

Can I get insurance with a different address?

Car insurance rates vary by zip code so the correct address must be used to avoid issues with the policy not being enforced if the wrong address is used just to get a cheaper rate. Having proper coverage and meeting the state's legally required limits is incredibly important.

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 get car insurance without a physical address?

Without a fixed address, insurance companies can deem you overly risky, and ultimately uninsurable.

Does insurance check where you live?

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 I need to change car insurance when I move?

Car insurance providers often operate in multiple states throughout the U.S. Your current one may provide coverage in your new home state. Check with your insurance agent before you make the move. If your current insurance company doesn't, you'll need to purchase new coverage when your move is complete.

Can people at different addresses be on the same car insurance?

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. However, as soon as they move in and their permanent address is the same as yours, you can update your policy to add your friend.

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.

What happens if I don't add my teenager to my car insurance?

Failing to add your teenager to your auto insurance can lead to coverage denial, legal penalties and policy cancellation. Lack of driving experience and perceived higher risk contribute to higher car premiums for teen drivers.

Does your address affect your car insurance?

Generally speaking, insurance companies calculate your likelihood of an auto accident based on the county or state in which you live, and calculate your risk of vehicle theft or vandalism based on the city or neighborhood in which you live.

Can you be on your parents car insurance and not live with them?

Depending on your insurer, you can remain listed as a driver on your parents' policy as long as their home is your permanent address or you're a full-time student. Once you've permanently moved out, you'll likely need to obtain your own car insurance policy.