Is it always bad to use an old address for auto insurance?
Is it bad to use an old address for auto insurance? In extreme cases, this could be considered fraud. Your premiums are based partly on where you park your car and how far you commute to work. It can also create complications should you ever need to file a claim.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Dec 4, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 4, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
On This Page
- You should always update your car insurance and registration with your new address
- If you use the wrong address, your insurer may deny your claim
- There are other ways to save on insurance besides lying about your home address
Is it bad to use an old address for auto insurance? If you’ve recently moved and haven’t told your insurer, you’ll need to update your information immediately. If your insurance company finds out that you’re lying about your address, you risk losing your auto insurance coverage.
Now that you know it is bad to use an old address for auto insurance, enter your ZIP code to see what you could pay for auto insurance coverage near you.
Can I insure a car from someone else’s address?
Is it illegal to register a car at a different address? When you apply for a new insurance policy, you’ll be required to give important information about your vehicle.
This can include everything from your car’s make and model to the place where it’ll be parked.
The reasons your insurer needs this information is to:
- Know the stock safety features in your vehicle
- Contact you about your policy information
- Understand what dangers the car may face while not being driven
If you lie about any of this information, your insurer won’t be able to properly underwrite your vehicle. If you ever have to file a claim, your insurer will likely deny it because you gave false information. You’ll also risk losing your full coverage with that insurer.
An exception to this rule might be a college student using their parent or guardian’s address while they are away for a short time.
Does the name on registration and insurance have to match?
Does your insurance and registration address have to match? While state laws about vehicle insurance can vary, most states require that your registration address match your insurance. If you move, it’s best to update your insurance and registration.
Can I register my car at my parents’ address?
Can I use my parents’ address for car insurance? If your parent or guardian’s house is still going to be your primary residence, you can likely still use their address for your auto insurance. If you’ve moved to campus or a new primary residence, it’s best to update the insurer.
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What are the dangers of insuring a car with a different address?
As previously mentioned, your insurer will need the address where the car is located most of the time. Your car’s location will give the insurer an idea of what kind of dangers it might face while parked.
If your car is vandalized or stolen at a location that’s different than your home addresss, the insurance adjuster will have some questions. If they find out that you’ve been living at the address the vehicle was stolen from, they’ll most likely deny your claim.
What information will I miss if I give the wrong address?
Outside of the claims process, giving the insurer the right information to contact you is necessary to get updates on your auto insurance. If your insurer has the wrong address, that means you won’t get:
- Updated bills
- Notice of discounts
- Notice of cancellation
- Yearly updates to your policy
If there are any changes to your insurance policy, you won’t know because the insurer will be sending your notices to the address on file.
Can I register my car at a different address? If you move, you should update your registration and insurance so that you can get updates on your vehicle.
What will happen if you lie about your vehicle’s location?
When your insurer knows where your vehicle will be parked the majority of the time, it gives them an idea of potential hazards. Your insurer will look at police reports and any press about the neighborhood to find out about:
- Any vandalized vehicles
- Stolen property
- Vulnerability to weather damage
If your neighborhood has had a recent string of car thefts or vandalism or you live near a river that’s prone to flooding, your insurer is going to raise your rates for that risk.
How can I save money on car insurance the right way?
If you’re lying to your insurer about your address because you want to save on your insurance rates, there are other ways. To keep from losing your auto insurance by lying, consider these options to save:
- Compare quotes from multiple insurers
- Lower the risk your car faces
- Raise your deductible
Insurers are constantly in competition with one another, which means that they will be competing to offer the lowest rates. Another foolproof method is to raise your deductible or lower your coverage levels, but these options could end up costing you more in the long run.
How do auto insurance companies determine rates?
Auto insurance companies determine their rates through a process called underwriting. Underwriting is when an insurer evaluates the likelihood of you filing a claim.
When an insurance underwriter is evaluating your risk, they will look at:
- Your car’s make and model
- Your driving/Criminal history
- Your credit history
- Your home location
If you want to get more affordable auto insurance rates, you need to lower the risk that your car faces of being damaged. You should try to improve your driving and make sure you’re paying your bills on time at a bare minimum.
What are ways to lower risk during underwriting?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, lowering your risk during the underwriting process can be achieved in a few ways.
The easiest way to lower risk starts at home, by making sure you’re being safe when you’re on the road. If you’re having issues with your car’s home location raising your rates, it might be more complicated.
Ways that you can lower your risk when your car is at home include:
- Putting it in an enclosed location
- Bundling your home and auto insurance
- Installing cameras to help identify criminals
If you’re worried about your rates being raised due to your home location, `you should try your best to minimize the risk. If your car will be placed in an enclosed garage, for example, your insurer will be more willing to give you a discount on your rates.
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Using an Old Address and Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
Is car insurance invalid if the wrong address is used? If you file a claim and your insurer finds out you were lying, your claim will likely be denied. If you need to save on your insurance rates, consider lowering your risk or looking for better deals with competing insurers.
Now that you know it is bad to use the wrong address for auto insurance, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to see what you could pay.
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.