Question
There have been a lot of big changes in my life recently (new car, new job, and new apartment!). I’ve been shopping around for car insurance, but many carriers are asking for proof of address before my policy can be issued. What can I use as proof of address for car insurance?
The Answer
Most car insurance companies require proof of your address, particularly if you have recently moved or if the company is receiving conflicting address information from public records. Generally speaking, the requirement for proof of address includes two documents, such as:
- Utility bills (electric, gas, internet, cable, water, phone, etc.): These are usually the easiest proof of address documents to acquire because if you’re living in a new location, odds are you’ve already set up accounts with some of these providers. You should be able to log in to their online portal and download your most recent statement to use as proof of address for your auto insurance.
- Paystub/W-2: Once you’ve officially moved make sure to update your address with your employer. Once you do and a paycheck is issued, your new address should appear on the pay stub, which you can use as proof of address.
- Prior auto or home/renters insurance declarations page.
- Lease agreement for your apartment, mortgage documentation for a home: If you’re living somewhere new and have a financial requirement for the living situation (rent, mortgage) then your name and new address should be found somewhere on the paperwork with the new address. If you’re living with someone else and your name isn’t on the paperwork, you’ll need to explore other options.
- State-issued ID: While each state has different requirements, you generally need to update your state ID/driver’s license when you relocate to a new address.
- Mail from other government agencies or financial institutions: If you’ve recently updated anything related to a bank account, credit card, student loan or other financial company that will work. If any government agency has sent you mail (such as Social Security) those will work too.
This is not an exhaustive list and each insurance company’s requirements for allowable documentation may vary from one to the other. If you have just moved and have yet to receive any of these documents, the best path forward is to call your insurance carrier and explain your situation. Depending on your provider, there may be additional options available for you.
You may have already rounded up some of these documents when you moved if you had to establish proof of residency. This is especially true if you moved to a new state.
Kevin Berry is the Senior Director of Content at Jerry and has been working in the digital content space since 2011 across the car insurance/repair, personal finance, travel and sports industries. Prior to Jerry, Kevin was a content team lead at NerdWallet overseeing the Multimedia Production and Travel Rewards teams. Previously, he worked for NBC Sports, Comcast Cable and Nike. He has a Master`s Degree from Arkansas State and a Bachelor`s from Oregon State University.
Giselle Gomez is an editor with over a decade of experience editing content across personal finance, education, travel, and sports. In editing for Jerry, Giselle’s focus is on making sure content is consumer and SEO-friendly and helping readers understand all things car ownership. In prior roles, she worked as a content strategist, syndication editor, and writer. Her work is featured in AP, NerdWallet.com, BestColleges.com, and more. Giselle holds a master’s degree from Arizona State University.
