Do You Have to Have Auto Insurance for the State in Which You Live?

Question

If your car is registered in one state and you move to another, do you have to re-register your car and get insurance for the state you moved to? Or can you just leave everything in the title of the state you moved from?

If you have to re-register and get new insurance, how long do you legally have to do this?

Answer 1

When you move to another state permanently, you are required by law to register your vehicle in your new state of residence. The length of time may vary, but is probably no more than 30 days. Not everyone does this, however, usually to avoid paying personal property taxes. You may not have to change insurance companies if they provide service in your new state of residence. Speak with your current agent.

Answer 2

Yes, you have to re-register it in the new state and get new tags, or any inspection stickers that state requires. Time requirements vary from state to state but I would say 30 days is an average. Just call your local courthouse or do a Yahoo! search for your states info.

Answer 3

Insurance laws are different from state to state.  You should always get your car insurance changed as soon as possible.  As far as the tags on the car, you can change them at renewal time.  Your drivers license are supposed to be changed within 30 days (some states 60 days), but some insurance companies require you to do it sooner when starting a new policy.  Within my 29 yr insurance career, I've never known anyone to get a ticket for any of these situations.  They always got verbal warings to switch them over with no followups.

Answer 4

Yes, you have to change over.   The time period varies by state, but is usually 30 days.