Notify your lender about your new insurance policy: Be sure to contact your financing company with your new coverage details right away—your lender will be notified when you cancel your old policy, and they could repossess your vehicle if you fail to update them with the information for your new policy.
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Change your car insurance right away after moving
When you move to a new state
, you’ll typically have 30 to 90 days to update your auto insurance policy and change your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Failing to update your address with your insurance company is more than a minor slip-up. Because insurance companies use your garaging address to determine your car insurance rates, failing to change your address could be considered a form of insurance fraud, and your provider could cancel your coverage.
FAQ
Do I need to cancel insurance before switching?
Don’t cancel your car insurance before you have a new policy lined up. The start date of your new car insurance policy should come before—or on the same day as—the cancellation date of your old one.
Can I change car insurance before my renewal date?
Yes, you can switch car insurance companies before your policy term expires—even if you have an open claim. While there’s no limit on when you can change car insurance, it’s typically best to look for new rates around two to four weeks before your renewal date, or whenever you have a major life event or change to your current auto insurance.
Is it a good idea to switch car insurance?
In most cases, switching car insurance is a good idea if you can find lower rates or better coverage with a new provider. The main times when switching is discouraged are if you already have the best price or if you don’t want to lose loyalty discounts from your current insurer, such as a good driver discount or record-based free accident forgiveness.
What should I look for in car insurance?
When shopping for new car insurance, look for a company with an offer that would reduce your car insurance costs, offer better coverage (such as full coverage), and/or give you better customer service, discounts, or claims handling than your current insurer.
How much will my rates go down if I switch?
The cost benefit of switching car insurance varies for every driver. Drivers who switch car insurance providers with Jerry save an average of $600 per year.
Can I switch insurance companies if I still have an outstanding balance?
Yes—even if you owe money to your previous insurer, you can still open a policy with a new company. That said, it’s a good idea to resolve any outstanding payments and insurance claims before switching, if possible, to simplify the process.
How do I change car insurance to another state?
To change car insurance after moving to a new state, you’ll need to provide the new insurance company with proof of your new residential address. The easiest way to do this is by changing your driver’s license to reflect your new address before changing your insurance.
Should I change car insurance companies every year?
It’s a good idea to check for better rates every year—but changing to a different company annually might not benefit you in the long run. While staying with a single insurer for years can lock you into higher rates and cause you to miss out on savings, switching insurers every time your policy is up for renewal—or repeatedly switching mid-term—sends a bad message to insurance companies.
Can I save on my car insurance without switching?
To save on your car insurance without switching providers, ask your current insurer if you’re eligible for any discounts you’re not already receiving. However, if your only options for saving on your car insurance premium are to lower your coverage levels or raise your deductibles, it’s probably a good idea to shop around for another insurance carrier.
Who has the cheapest car insurance?
While companies like GEICO and State Farm advertise affordable insurance, there’s not one single auto insurance provider that offers the lowest rates to all drivers. To save, compare rates and choose a company that offers low rates to drivers who fit your profile.