Does your address affect your car insurance rate?

Asked by: Hermann Aufderhar  |  Last update: May 25, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (56 votes)

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.

Does your address matter for car insurance?

Insurance companies charge premiums based on a number of factors, including your geographic location. For instance, if you moved from an area with a lot of people and a lot of car accidents, to a more rural area where less accidents occur, your premiums may be reduced.

Does car insurance go up depending on where you live?

Where you live and where you park your car overnight may affect your car insurance premium. Urban neighborhoods typically have higher rates of accidents, theft and vandalism than more rural areas, which means premiums may be higher.

Will my car insurance go up if I change my address?

Car accidents and traffic violations are common explanations for an insurance rate increase, but other reasons why your car insurance rate can go up include changing your address, adding a new vehicle or driver, increases to claims in your ZIP code, and increases to car repair/replacement cost.

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 a change of address increase auto insurance?

23 related questions found

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

What Happens If You Don't Change Your Address When You Move? If you don't change your address, not only will you lose mail, which may include urgent bills or important bank statements, but you could also encounter issues with your homeowners' or renters' insurance.

Can you have a different address on your license than your insurance?

The short answer: yes, your insurance policy, your driver's license as well as your vehicle registration should all have the same (current) address.

Do I have to tell my car insurance when I move?

If you're moving in state, you'll want to tell your car insurance company as soon as possible about your new address. If you move to another state, you may only have 30 to 90 days to change your car insurance, and update your driver's license and vehicle registration.

Can I stay on my parents' car insurance if I move out?

All drivers that share the same permanent residence should be listed on each policy. Once you leave home permanently, you'll need your own policy to insure your vehicle.

Will my auto insurance change if I move?

Does Car Insurance Change When You Move? Yes, car insurance does change when you move to a different state. Each state has its own laws and requirements for auto insurance, so you need to update your policy to comply with your new state's 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.

How do you lower your car insurance bill?

7 ways to lower your car insurance premium
  1. Qualify for insurance discounts. Getting more discounts that lower your car insurance premium might be easier than you think. ...
  2. Increase your deductible. ...
  3. Reduce your coverage. ...
  4. Compare rates. ...
  5. Try usage-based insurance. ...
  6. Take a defensive driving course. ...
  7. Get a car that's cheaper to insure.

Does your zip code affect your car insurance?

Which States Don't Use ZIP Code? Currently, the only two states that have banned the usage of ZIP codes for auto insurance ratings are California and Michigan. In all other states, it's legal for insurers to use ZIP codes as a rating factor for auto insurance to assess risk.

What insurance does where you live affect?

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.

Is car insurance cheaper depending on where you live?

It depends. Living in a bigger city can be more expensive, but many other factors affect car insurance costs. Things like population density, road conditions, weather, crime, and accident rates influence how much you pay.

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.

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.

When should your child get their own car insurance?

As kids grow up, when do they need to get their own auto insurance policy? If your child has moved out of your house and is no longer a dependent, they need to have their own insurance policy. Under most personal auto insurance policies, the “insured” covered by the policy includes “family members”.

Can I use a different address for my car insurance?

Insurance Fraud Is No laughing matter

If your insurer gets wind that you're not living at the address where your vehicle is registered, they will investigate. And, if they find out you're trying to pull a fast one to save on your rates, they won't be laughing.

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

Failing to update the garaging address when moving home. This can impact your insurance coverage as when making a claim, the coverage will be based on your previous address and could result in not being able to claim any money back from the insurer.

Why does car insurance go up when you move?

Your move will impact your car insurance rate. Rates are partially based on an area's claims history, so fewer thefts, break-ins, and accidents in your new area can result in lower rates and vice versa. Your insurer may also use your annual mileage and commuting distance to help determine your rate.

Why does address affect car insurance?

Location plays a significant role in determining your car insurance premium. This is because the risk associated with insuring you can vary greatly depending on where you live. For instance, if you live in a densely populated urban area, you may be at a higher risk of being involved in a car accident.

Is it illegal to have the wrong address on your license?

No, it is not legal to give a false address on a driver's license and car registration. This is considered to be fraud, and it can result in criminal charges.

How do car insurance companies verify their address?

How Auto Insurance Companies Check for Addresses? Insurance companies use several methods to verify addresses. They may examine your driving record, look into your claims history, and consult publicly available data. This rigorous process helps ensure the information provided by policyholders is accurate and truthful.

Is it a crime to not change your address?

Answer: You can get in trouble for failing to update the address on your driver's license—and exactly how much trouble depends on various factors, including luck. If you never get pulled over, then the odds are that nothing will happen, but you would still likely violate a state regulation.