Why did my car insurance go up when I moved?

Asked by: Baylee Witting  |  Last update: October 13, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (10 votes)

As unfair as it may seem, you may experience an auto rate increase due to insurance claims data in your ZIP code. If your area has a high rate of theft, accident, or weather-related claims, it becomes riskier for an insurance company to cover drivers there.

Why did my auto insurance go up after I moved?

Your insurer may also use your annual mileage and commuting distance to help determine your rate. If your new address shortens your commute, you might see a lower rate, but if you're driving more, you may see a rate increase.

Why does my insurance go up when I change address?

Address Change or Adding a Driver

If you move, your new location may have a higher risk of accidents or theft. Adding drivers can also increase your risk, which could raise your premium.

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 auto insurance change if I move?

Your policy will not automatically change for you on the move. You will need to contact an agent in new location to get the ball rolling as they will need to rewrite the policy under to be consistent with that states minimum requirements for liability limits within that state which do vary state to state.

Insurance Companies to AVOID!

16 related questions found

What happens if I don't tell my car insurance that I moved?

Why Does It Matter If I Forget To Tell My Auto Insurance Company That I Moved? The short answer: Because they can refuse to cover you if you are in a car wreck and failed to change your address.

Can you have car insurance in one state and live in another?

If you split your time between two states, you may be able to get auto insurance in either of the two states (but it will not technically be “out of state” since you will be living there). Most often, the rule of thumb is your car must be insured in the state where it is registered.

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.

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.

Which gender pays more for car insurance?

On average, young men pay much more for car insurance than young women. This is because car insurance providers find men to be riskier drivers than women, especially when they are younger. When they are older, women start to pay slightly higher rates.

Why did my car insurance go up $100?

Reasons that might make car insurance rates go up

Common among them are speeding tickets, DUIs, credit and moving violations. But beyond that, insurers also consider specific risks like the rates of accidents, vandalism and theft in your area, which result in higher claim rates.

Does your car insurance have to match your address?

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.

Who normally has the cheapest car insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

Why did my car insurance go up if nothing happened?

Insurance companies raise rates for a wide variety of reasons, not just because you cause an accident or get a ticket. Industry-wide adjustments, increased claims in your region, higher claim costs and other factors you can't control can still affect the amount you'll pay for auto insurance.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

What is a good 6 month premium car insurance?

The average 6-month car insurance premium is $947 per year, but some insurers offer lower rates; Nationwide offers 6-month car insurance at $774.

What age does car insurance go down?

Both male and female drivers see the biggest drop in average annual car insurance premiums between the ages of 18 and 19. This is because younger drivers are seen by most auto insurance companies as riskier to insure due to their overall inexperience behind the wheel.

Why did car insurance go up in 2024?

Premiums increased throughout 2023 and 2024 for several reasons, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Inflation: The cost of repairing and replacing vehicles — and paying medical and legal bills — has risen even faster than inflation, according to the Institute.

At what point should you drop full coverage on your car?

Your vehicle holds a low value: As with collision, consider dropping comprehensive coverage if your vehicle's market value is lower than a few thousand dollars. Figure in your deductible as well and the potential insurance payout may not be worth the price of the coverage.

Which city has the highest car insurance rate?

In 2025, Detroit, Michigan ranks as the most expensive city for car insurance — $5,300 per year. New York City is the second-priciest location for auto insurance, with an average cost of over $4,700. Rates are the cheapest in Raleigh, North Carolina, with Charlotte coming in second.

Where is the safest place to park your car for insurance?

Your best bet to keep your car safe and your premiums down is to park in a private driveway or a locked garage. Wherever you opt to park it's important to always assess the lighting, visibility, and proximity to busy areas.

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.

Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?

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.

Do you have to tell your car insurance when you 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.

How long do you have to change car insurance after moving?

Typically, you'll have 30 to 90 days to switch your car insurance after you move to a new state but you'll want to verify your exact timeline with your current provider. While you should plan ahead, do not cancel your current policy until your move is complete and you have a new policy in place.