Do car insurance rates change when you move?

Asked by: Alexa Boyer  |  Last update: September 20, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (11 votes)

Yes. Whether you are moving out of state or in state, your car insurance policy may see changes because the location of your vehicle is one of the most important factors for rates and coverage options. If you move out of state, different car insurance requirements may also impact your coverages and premiums.

Why does my insurance rate go up when I move?

Moving to bigger and busier cities tends to make your auto insurance rates go up. There's more traffic and more chances for you to be in a car accident, so insurance providers offset some of that risk by increasing your insurance rate in high-traffic areas.

Why did my car insurance go down when I moved?

Insurance rates are affected by many variables, including your ZIP code. Moving to an area with heavier traffic or more deer can trigger rate increases. So can moving farther from your job, because that means you'll be driving more each day. But your rate might go down, too.

Why does car insurance change with address?

Other than needing to know where to send bills and information, carriers want to know your address because it directly affects how much you'll pay for coverage. Insurance companies keep track of accident reports, claim filings, and other relevant statistics in different areas.

What happens if you move and don't change your car insurance?

“Under your current car insurance agreement, you are required to inform the insurance company of any change, including a move to a new area. Failure to do so is breaking the terms of your agreement, and this will likely leave you uninsured.

Moving & Car Insurance Rates

21 related questions found

Is my car insurance invalid if I move house?

With so many things happening, updating your address might be the last thing on your mind. But it's imperative you do this as soon as you move house – otherwise it can invalidate your insurance. And should the worst happen, and you have to make a claim, your provider can refuse to pay out.

What other factors influence your insurance rate?

Some factors that may affect your auto insurance premiums are your car, your driving habits, demographic factors and the coverages, limits and deductibles you choose. These factors may include things such as your age, anti-theft features in your car and your driving record.

How does where you live affect your insurance?

What may come as a surprise, though, is that where you live also has a significant effect on your insurance premium. The reason is simple: Your place of residence influences your likelihood of having an accident, as well as how much the mishap might cost. Higher claims translate into higher premiums.

Do car insurance companies charge for change of address?

Although updating your details won't always affect the price of your car insurance policy, your insurer might charge you an admin fee to make the changes. These fees vary significantly between insurers, but you can find all the admin costs your insurer will charge you in the terms and conditions of your policy.

Does your area affect car insurance?

Because you do most of your driving close to home, your postcode holds key information for insurance providers on the risks you face as a driver and car owner, including: The population density where you live. Traffic trends in your local area. Crime rates in your neighbourhood, including theft and vandalism.

At what age does car insurance go down?

Age and car insurance

The price usually declines gradually between the ages of 25 and 60. For most, car insurance is more expensive the younger you are, with the price going down as you enter a new decade. People in their 30s often pay more than those in their 40s, who in turn fork out more than those in their 50s.

Should my car insurance go down each year?

When do car insurance premiums go down? From ages 16 to 25, your car insurance rates will steadily go down for every year that you keep your driving record clean. Car insurance rates go down at age 25 by a large margin. Rates then decrease slowly but surely until age 65, before increase again.

Does your car insurance go down at 25?

In general, younger drivers tend to pay more for car insurance—but once you reach the age of 25, the cost of your insurance policy can drop. According to CarInsurance.com, the average annual premium for a 24-year-old male with full coverage is $2,273. At age 25, that average drops to $1,989, a decrease of about 12.5%.

Does insurance go up if you change address?

Moving to a new address

Your premium might go up or down when you move house, because your address is one of the big things that can affect the price of your car insurance. It might be tempting not to tell your insurer that you've moved, in case your price goes up.

Why did my car insurance go up 2022?

Inflation. Perhaps the biggest driver of higher 2022 car insurance premiums is the same thing that is driving up costs across the board — inflation. Between May 2021 and May 2022, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 8.6%.

What can you do to make your insurance rates go down?

Here are some ways to save on car insurance1
  1. Increase your deductible.
  2. Check for discounts you qualify for.
  3. Compare auto insurance quotes.
  4. Maintain a good driving record.
  5. Participate in a safe driving program.
  6. Take a defensive driving course.
  7. Explore payment options.
  8. Improve your credit score.

What address should I put on my car insurance?

While it may be tempting to use someone else's address for car insurance to get better rates, you should not do this. If your car insurance address is different to your home address, that's fraud. Letting someone use your address for car insurance also falls into the fraud category.

What address do I use for car insurance?

The address you give your insurance company is the address where your car is supposed to be kept the majority of the time (not sure what entails, five days out of seven or the like?).

Do car insurance companies Ask for proof of address?

Car insurance carriers may require proof of address if you have recently moved or if they are receiving conflicting address information from public records. This is to make sure they are rating you at the proper garaging location and giving you a rate close to the average of other drivers in your area.

Why does location matter for car insurance?

Your place of residence has a significant effect on your car insurance premium, because insurance companies examine data that determines which areas residents are most likely to file claims.

Why does location matter in insurance?

Policy premiums are based on several factors related to location. Accidents that occur on high-speed freeways do more damage than those on quiet streets, resulting in higher repair costs or more frequent total losses. High-population areas tend to have more accidents per driver than rural areas.

Why are car insurance premiums cheaper in rural areas?

Yes, car insurance is generally cheaper in rural areas. Roads are less congested in rural areas and rates of vandalism and theft are lower, meaning it is less risky for an insurance company to cover a car in a rural area than in a city.

What makes car insurance more expensive?

Common causes of overly expensive insurance rates include your age, driving record, credit history, coverage options, what car you drive and where you live. Anything that insurers can link to an increased likelihood that you will be in an accident and file a claim will result in higher car insurance premiums.

Is insurance cheaper if your car is paid off?

No, paying off your car doesn't reduce your insurance rates, but it does give you more control over the type and amount of coverage you have, which can help you save money on your insurance rates.

What are 5 factors that contribute to your auto insurance premiums?

What factors are most important for car insurance rates?
  • Age. Age is a very significant rating factor, especially for young drivers. ...
  • Driving history. This rating factor is straightforward. ...
  • Credit score. ...
  • Years of driving experience. ...
  • Location. ...
  • Gender. ...
  • Insurance history. ...
  • Annual mileage.