The best thing you can do is accurately inform your car insurance agent of your situation and work out a personalized solution.įailing to inform your auto insurance carrier of your multi-state status is a bad idea. If you're frequently driving in multiple states or have a vacation home you frequently visit, discuss the particulars with your insurer. In these cases, having your car registered in one state and insured in another may not be as much of an issue. You may be a snowbird and spend your winters in one place and summers in another.
Most states require that you have in-state insurance and an in-state driver’s license before you can register your car and get a license plate, so you should take care of those things.Ĭan your car be registered in one state and insured in another if you split your time between states?
Vehicle registration is also different between states but is usually just a matter of paperwork and a fee. Most state DMVs will provide free review materials online or at local offices. For example, do you know how old you need to be to ride in the back of a pickup truck in North Carolina?
The test may ask about obscure rules of which you are unaware. If you do need to take such a test, it is strongly advised that you spend some time studying first. In some states, the requirements are more burdensome. In some cases, it is simply a matter of paperwork if you already have a license in another state. The process for obtaining a new license is different in each state. These states have their own special rules for insurance, but they do both require you to register your vehicle. There are two states where car insurance is not mandatory: Virginia and New Hampshire. Many providers let you change your policy online in a matter of minutes. Insurance requirements and discounts vary by state, so you may be able to get lower insurance rates with your new provider. Simply contact your auto insurance carrier and explain that you’ve moved.
Car InsuranceĬhanging your insurance policy is usually very easy.
Here's how long each state allows drivers to register vehicles after moving.Īfter you establish residency in a new state, changing your license, registration, and auto insurance should be among your first priorities. All states allow you to drive an out-of-state car for a certain number of consecutive days (usually around a month). If you are visiting a state temporarily, you do not need to register your vehicle. The timeframe in which you must do so varies by state.
If you move to a different state, you’re required to register your vehicle with that state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In many states, you can’t even register your car until you’ve provided proof of insurance.Įven states that allow you to register a car without proof of insurance require you to provide proof of insurance within a certain timeframe. Your driver’s license, registration, and car insurance need to match. Insurance fraud carries heavy penalties, the least of which is that your claims will be denied. Insuring your car in a state where you don’t reside is fraud.
Your car should not be registered in one state and insured in another. Timeframe To Register Your Vehicle In A New State (2021) FAQ: Registration And Insurance Between States.Noteworthy Exceptions When Insuring Your Car In A Different State.What If I Split My Time Between States?.Timeframe To Register Your Vehicle In A New State (2021).If you need to make a switch, read our round-up of the best car insurance companies and compare quotes using the tool below.
This article describes some of the common scenarios for having a car registered and insured in different states and explains how to switch your insurance when the time comes. No, your car cannot be registered in one state and insured in another. Generally, your car should be both registered and insured in your state of legal residence. If you have recently moved, you have some time to switch your car insurance policy (but do it ASAP). Vehicle registrations and auto insurance can be tough to navigate, and you may find yourself asking: Can my car be registered in one state and insured in another?