Can I Register a Car in a Different State Than I Live?

Moving from one place to the next takes a lot of paperwork, a lot of time, and a lot of address changes. If you are moving from one area to another, whether it is a different place in the same city you are in, a different city, a different state, or all the way across the country, one of the addresses you should make sure to update quickly is your automobile insurance policy address. Especially for people who are moving out of state, there are important policy changes that may need to be made. The limits in one state may be different than another state, and while your insurance plan will rise to the level that needs to be if you are driving in another state if your permanent address listed on your policy is inaccurate, there could be issues. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that you have an insurance plan that meets the requirements of the state you are currently living in. While moving to a new home or renting a new apartment can be hectic, prioritizing is essential. One of the first steps you should be aware of is what the requirements for car insurance are in the state you are moving to. You can find this information in numerous places, including in articles on this website. For the latest information about auto insurance rates, contact your DMV.

Specific State Requirements

Each state makes its own laws in regards to automobile insurance policies. If you are moving to a new state, checking up on the policy requirements is essential. Some states require that people only carry bodily injury insurance coverage and property damage coverage. Other states require that people have a variety of plans. This can include personal injury protection, uninsured motorist coverage, UIM coverage, and in some cases, medical payments insurance. Outside of this, your leasing or lending agent, if you have one, may require that you carry lease gap insurance and full coverage. People who do not fall into either of these situations do not see these additional requirements. If you are moving to another state, regardless of whether it is just across a bridge or a river in the city you are currently living in, you will be hit with different state requirements. Driving legally can save you a lot of money in the long run, including potential fines and fees if you are pulled over. The penalties can be even larger if you are responsible for an accident. Registration requirements can also be different from one state to the next. Most states require that you have a valid car insurance policy in order to register your vehicle. You may also need to present the title for the vehicle when you create your registration.

What About Moving To A New State?

Moving to a new state brings a lot of changes overall, including with car insurance and automobile registration. Registration is often a fairly simple process, though you may expect to wait at the DMV for a few hours in order to get it done. Numerous states have online options for updating a vehicle’s registration, though in most cases, the first time you move to a new state, you will need to go in person. Check with the DMV in the state you are moving to in order to make sure you are bringing all of the proper paperwork. The DMV can also give you information about how long you have before you are penalized for not having your insurance transferred over. In most cases, there is a grace period where a person can still legally drive in the state with automobile insurance from another state, even though their permanent address has changed.

Situations Where A Car May Be Registered In A Different State

There are some situations where a vehicle may be registered in a different state. One of these situations is when the owner of the vehicle lives in a different state than the driver of the vehicle. In addition, there are a few states that allow people to register their cars in another state in more situations. Your local DMV will be able to give you information about whether you can have your auto registered in a different state.

Car Registered In One State But Used In Another

Generally speaking, you will need to register your vehicle in the state you are living in. Some exceptions include the owner of the vehicle being in one state while the driver of the vehicle lives in another. There are also situations where active members of the military get flexibility. They may register their vehicle in the state of their primary residence, though they also often have the option of registering their vehicle where they are stationed. This is an additional convenience that can save a lot of time.

There may be benefits to registering a vehicle in one state that is used in another, but keep in mind that it must be done legally. Any person who lies on their registration or lies while applying for car insurance can face steep fines and penalties. When it comes to auto insurance, drivers can have claims denied for lying on their automobile insurance plan. This includes lying about where their primary residence is. Since your vehicle registration and auto insurance may need to line up, if you are lying on your vehicle registration and your car insurance catches that lie, your claim could be denied, or your policy could be canceled. In some cases, both things can happen.

Car Owner in One State - Car Driver in Another

Always check with your automobile insurance company, as well as your local DMV, to get the latest information on the laws in your area. If a vehicle owner lives in one state and the driver lives in another, the vehicle will generally need to be registered in the state of the car owner. In many cases, a title must also be presented while doing the registration.