California Auto Insurance: Out-Of-State Policies

California, like all other states, has its own car insurance laws and requirements. Generally, your car insurance policy will cover you for temporary trips out of state, but for long-term stays, you may need to update your policy to match your new residence. In most cases, you will need to register and insure your car in the state where you are a resident. However, there are exceptions for students, military members, and people with multiple residences. It is important to check with your insurance provider and the relevant departments of motor vehicles to ensure you are complying with the laws of the state you are moving to or spending a significant amount of time in.

Can I keep my car insurance from another state?

In general, car insurance policies will cover you for temporary trips out of state. However, for long-term stays, you may need to update your policy to match your new residence. If you are on vacation or passing through another state on a road trip, you won't need to get a separate car insurance policy. Instead, a "broadening clause" will go into effect, and your car insurance policy will adhere to the laws of the state you're in. This is particularly important if you have minimum coverage car insurance or if you drive into a state with different at-fault or no-fault laws.

If you live and store your vehicle in multiple states, you may need to register your car in one state and insure it in another, or purchase multiple policies to meet your out-of-state insurance needs. If you have multiple vehicles kept in different states, you will likely need separate insurance policies for each vehicle based on the state in which they are garaged.

There are some exceptions to the rule that you must register and insure your car in the same state. For example, if you are a student going to school out of state or a member of the military, you may be able to keep your home state coverage while you are temporarily living or stationed elsewhere. However, it's important to check with your insurance provider to be sure.

If you are moving to a new state, you will need to register and obtain insurance in that state. You will typically have up to 90 days to register your car at your new home, but you should make sure your auto insurance policy will cover you as soon as you arrive. You may be able to remain with your current insurance provider if they serve your new state of residence, but the cost of your policy may change depending on your new location and other factors.

Can I insure my car in another state?

In general, you need to buy car insurance in the state where you reside. Your car insurance policy will cover you for temporary trips out of state, but for long-term stays, you may need to update your policy to match your new residence. This is because every state has its own car insurance laws, especially regarding minimum coverage requirements and accidents.

If you're spending a significant amount of time out of state, the situation can become more complicated when it comes to which state your insurance policy should originate from. You may also need an additional policy if you are storing cars in two different states.

If you have multiple vehicles kept in different states, you will likely need separate insurance policies for each vehicle based in the states where they're garaged. However, if your car travels with you between houses, you'll only need one policy. This is commonly called the "snowbird exception" and usually applies to "snowbirds" who spend the winter months in a warm-weather state. For example, if you split your time between Ohio and Arizona and keep your car in the state where you're currently residing, you'll have an Arizona policy for the fall and winter months and an Ohio policy for the spring and summer months.

There are some exceptions to the general rule that you must buy car insurance in your state of residence. If you live in multiple states, you may be able to get auto insurance in either of the two states. However, you will likely need to speak with your department of motor vehicles (DMV) or an agent from your insurance company to make sure you are complying with state law and are fully covered.

Another exception is for members of the military. Most states allow military members to continue coverage from their home state while they are stationed elsewhere. However, this may not be the case in the event of a permanent change of station (PCS), where you spend 20 weeks or more at a location. When moving to another state, you will likely need to purchase new coverage.

In addition, college students who attend school in a different state than where they grew up may or may not need to buy a new policy, depending on the laws of the state. For example, students going to college in Idaho are allowed to maintain out-of-state registration, while Connecticut students are not.

Can I have auto insurance in two states?

In general, you need to buy car insurance in your state of residency. You should not live in one state and have insurance in another. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

Residents of Two States

If you split your time between two states, you may be able to get auto insurance in either of those states. The general rule of thumb is that your car must be insured in the state where it is registered. However, each state has its own rules and laws, so you will likely need to speak with your department of motor vehicles (DMV) or an insurance agent to ensure you are complying with state law and are fully covered.

If you have multiple vehicles kept in different states, you will likely need separate insurance policies for each vehicle based in the states where they are garaged. Some states will only issue tags to vehicles that are in the state for a certain number of days per year to qualify for dual residency.

Military Members

Most states allow military members to keep their car registration and insurance in the state where they maintain their legal residence, even if they are stationed in a different state for months or years at a time. However, this may not be the case in the event of a permanent change of station (PCS), where you spend 20 weeks or more at a location.

College Students

College students who attend school in a different state than their permanent residence may or may not need to buy a new policy, depending on the laws of the state. Some states allow out-of-state students to maintain a primary registration elsewhere, but they may have to notify the local police department of the vehicle.

Students who bring a car to school in a different state and live there year-round may need to purchase a standalone policy in the state where they keep their car.

Seasonal Residents

Homeowners with multiple homes who split their time among them will generally have to register their vehicles and buy insurance in whichever place they spend the majority of their time. Some states require you to register your car even if you're residing in that state temporarily. If you have a vehicle that you keep at your secondary home year-round, you'll need to buy coverage for the state the car is located in.

Can I be on my parents' car insurance if I live in a different state?

If you move to a different state, you may be able to stay on your parent's car insurance policy, but this depends on your specific situation. If you've moved to a temporary residence in another state, like a college dorm, and don't have a car, you can stay on your parents' policy. This is because your parent's home is still your permanent address, making you a household resident. However, if you've moved out permanently, you'll typically need to get your own car insurance policy.

There are two common situations where it is advisable to remain on your parent's policy, even when you move states. Firstly, if you regularly drive their car. If you live just over the border and borrow their car a lot, or visit them frequently and drive, staying on their policy is a good idea. This is because car insurance covers permissive use, meaning it allows for the occasional loaning of a car to someone not listed on the policy. Secondly, if you are temporarily living away from home and don't own a car, you can stay on your parent's policy. In this case, if you ever rent or borrow a car, their policy will usually provide coverage.

If you move out permanently and buy a car, you will need to get your own insurance policy. This is because you are no longer a household member, and your parents have no insurable interest in your car. If you take one of your parents' cars with you when you move to a different state, they will need to update their policy with the new garaging address. This may or may not result in a change in the price of the policy, depending on whether you move to an area with higher or lower insurance costs.

Can I get temporary auto insurance for different states?

In the United States, car insurance policies typically cover you for temporary trips to other states. However, if you're planning to stay in another state for a longer period, you may need to update your policy to match your new residence. Generally, you should buy car insurance in the state where you spend most of your time or have permanent residency.

If you own a vehicle, you can purchase a six-month policy and cancel it when you're done driving, avoiding paying for months when you don't need coverage. You can also consider pay-per-mile insurance if you only drive occasionally. If you're driving a car that you don't own, you can look into options like non-owner insurance, rental car insurance, or being added as a temporary driver on someone else's policy.

Some states have specific requirements for vehicle registration and insurance. For example, Arizona requires drivers living in the state for more than seven months per year to register their car with the Arizona DMV, while in Arkansas, the requirement is six months. It's important to check with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the state you'll be residing in to understand their specific rules and regulations.

Additionally, if you have multiple vehicles kept in different states, you will likely need separate insurance policies for each vehicle, registered and insured in the state where the vehicle is primarily driven or garaged.

For those who split their time between multiple states, such as students attending college out of state or homeowners with multiple residences, the insurance requirements can vary. It's recommended to consult with your insurance provider to ensure you have the necessary coverage and comply with the laws of the states you reside in.

Frequently asked questions