Last updated: November 29th, 2022
Reviewed by
Grant Desselle
Licensed Insurance Agent
Auto insurance is required in every state except Virginia and New Hampshire (and it’s a good idea in those two states, too). However, the requirements may differ slightly from state to state, so you should do a little research first. This article can help get you off to a good start.
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When you prepare to move to a new state, you should call your current insurance agent to see what changes you’ll need to make to your insurance. You should also take a look at the DMV website in your new state to confirm the insurance requirements (and check out vehicle registration and driver’s license requirements while you’re there). Typically, you will need insurance in your new state before you can register your vehicle there. Once you’ve handled all the new registration and insurance requirements, don’t forget to cancel your policy in your former state.
Keep reading to learn some of the key information you need to know when moving to a new state.
You may be able to keep your old insurance after you move to a new state, depending on whether your insurance company is licensed to do business in the new state. However, almost certainly, you’ll need to switch insurance agents since agents are typically only licensed in one state. Depending on the state you’re moving to, you’ll have 30 to 90 days to make any needed insurance changes.
You don’t need to change your car insurance before you make your move to a new state, but you should start the process by discussing your move with your current insurance agent. You’ll need insurance in the new state before you can register your car there, so don’t delay.
Depending on the state, you’ll have 30 to 90 days to update your insurance policy and get your car registered in your new state. Fines can be hefty if you don’t meet the deadlines, so it’s a good idea to get the process started as quickly as possible.
Yes. In fact, even a move within your state (or even within your city) can change your auto insurance rates since rates are determined in part by your zip code. You may find that your car insurance rate changes drastically with your interstate move, so get all the information you need as early as possible to plan for the rate change.
Yes. States can vary by thousands of dollars per year in their auto insurance rates. At the top of the list is Michigan, where minimal coverage (liability only) runs an average of over $4,000 per year. Other states where auto insurance is very expensive include Florida, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Nevada. The least expensive state for auto insurance is Iowa, with an average yearly rate of under $400 for minimal coverage. Other states with highly affordable insurance premiums include South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
You can find auto insurance providers in every state, but not every auto insurance company operates in every state. You may even be surprised to learn that a major insurance company whose ads you’ve seen on TV doesn’t operate in your state. If the insurance company you used in your old state doesn’t operate in your new state, you’ll have to do some research to find the best coverage at the best price from a new-to-you company that does operate in your new state.
Brian is the founder and CEO of Insurist and carries Life, Health, and Property & Casualty licenses in all 50 U.S. states. Since 2013, Brian has been a member of Million Dollar Round Table, a designation for the top 1% of financial advisors worldwide. Brian has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, Money.com, Entrepreneur.com, Life Happens, Forbes, MSN, and Good Financial Cents. Brian’s goal is to show customers the best products, the quickest answers to their questions, and provide expert advice.
Grant's past experience includes work as a licensed sales agent for Hagerty Insurance. He has reviewed thousands of existing auto policies across the nation and issued hundreds of new ones on everything ranging from classic cars undergoing restoration to modern exotics and motorcycles.
