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

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According to the U.S. Census, roughly 1 in 10 Americans move each year, which means millions of drivers suddenly have a new address. While updating your car insurance might not be at the top of your to-do list during a move, it’s more important than it seems. That’s because where your car is kept directly affects how your insurer calculates your premium, assesses your risk and determines whether you’re covered in the event of a claim.

If the address on your policy doesn’t match where your car is kept, you could face serious consequences: denied claims, policy cancellation or even accusations of insurance fraud. 

The good news? Fixing it is simple. As soon as you move, notify your car insurance company and update your address with your state’s DMV. This quick step protects your coverage, keeps you compliant with state laws and ensures your policy is priced correctly.

Does your car insurance address have to match where you live?

Your insurer expects the address where the car is kept (called the garaging address) to match your primary residence. This determines risk factors like local traffic, theft, weather and accident rates.

“Even if you just move to a new house down the block, you need to contact [your insurer] and update [your address]. If the address doesn’t match where you live, you could run into legal trouble. Best case scenario, you might be fined. Worst case scenario, you could incur insurance fraud charges,” says Ben Michael, attorney at Texas law firm Michael & Associates.

Inaccurate garaging addresses don’t just affect your car insurance premium — they can also impact your ability to file a claim. If an insurer finds out the car wasn’t kept at the address listed on the policy, they may deny coverage after an accident or refuse to pay a claim. That’s why it’s critical to keep your insurer in the loop, no matter how small the move.

Why insurers want your address to match

There are several reasons why accuracy matters:

• Risk assessment: Car insurance rates are determined by your ZIP code, as insurers use local data to assess how likely you are to file a claim. Factors like accident frequency, auto theft rates, vandalism, and severe weather patterns vary dramatically from one neighborhood to another. Even a move across town can affect your premium.
• Claims approval: If your garaging address doesn’t match where the vehicle is kept, it can raise red flags. A mismatch might lead the insurer to suspect misrepresentation, resulting in delayed or denied claims and, in some cases, policy cancellation.
• Legal compliance: Most states require the address on your insurance policy and vehicle registration to match your actual place of residence. Failing to update your address can result in fines, registration issues or even allegations of insurance fraud if it looks like you’re trying to game the system for cheaper rates.

What happens if your car insurance address is different from where you live?

If the address on your car insurance doesn’t match where you live, it’s more than just a clerical issue; it can have serious consequences. Your insurer may deny claims, cancel your car insurance policy or, in some cases, accuse you of insurance fraud, especially if the discrepancy appears intentional.

“If the address on your insurance does not reflect your true residence, you may face policy cancellation, claim denial, and even allegations of fraud,” says Mark Hirsch, a personal injury lawyer at Florida law firm Templer & Hirsch. 

“I have seen clients lose their coverage and incur significant financial repercussions due to this error. Always inform your insurer of your accurate address – precision safeguards your rights and your finances.”

It’s easy to forget this step when you move, particularly if it’s a local change or you’re juggling a long to-do list. But your insurer relies on your garaging address to calculate your premium and assess risk. If that information is wrong, they may argue that your entire policy is invalid, leaving you without coverage when you need it most.

Just like you’d notify your bank, credit card company or the post office, updating your car insurance should be a priority when changing addresses. It’s a simple action that helps ensure you stay protected.

How to update your address with your insurer

Whenever you move, it’s important to notify both your car insurance company and your state as soon as possible. Here’s what to do:

• Contact your insurer: Log in online, use the mobile app or call your agent to report your new address. Don’t wait—delaying this update can lead to coverage gaps or even cancellation.
• Review your new rate: Your premium may change based on your new ZIP code. Check your updated policy details carefully so there are no surprises.

Other things to keep in mind: 

• Notify the DMV: Most states require you to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration within 30 days of moving. Some have even tighter deadlines—California, for example, gives you just 10 days. Visit your state’s DMV website for specific instructions.
• Update your vehicle title (if needed): If you’ve moved to a different state, you may also need to transfer your vehicle title and re-register your car with your new state’s DMV.
  

Staying on top of these updates ensures you remain legally compliant and fully covered in your new location.

Barry Eitel

Contributing Researcher

 

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Barry Eitel is a content writer and journalist focused on insurance, small business and finance. He has researched and written about personal finance since 2012, with a special focus on entrepreneurship, freelancing and other small business operations. His writing on insurance and small business has been featured in 7x7, Brit + Co, Intuit Quickbooks, Bankrate, Policygenius and Lendio.