Auto Insurance Coverage: Out-Of-State Travel And Your Policy

If you're planning a trip to another state, you may be wondering if your auto insurance will cover you. The good news is that, in most cases, your car insurance policy will indeed cover you for temporary trips out of state. This means that if you're going on vacation or taking a road trip to another state, you won't need to worry about getting separate car insurance. Your insurance will cover you in the event of an accident, and it will adhere to the laws of the state you're visiting. However, it's important to note that this coverage may not extend to international travel, and you may need separate insurance if you're driving to another country. Additionally, if you're planning a long-term move to another state, you may need to update your policy or purchase a new one that meets the requirements of your new state.

Temporary trips out of state

If you're going on a temporary trip out of state, your car insurance policy will typically cover you. This applies whether you're on vacation, commuting to another state for work, or passing through another state on a road trip. Your insurance will also cover you if you have the minimum legal coverage for your state and crash in another state with different insurance requirements. In this case, your insurance policy will function as though you had the appropriate minimum amount of car insurance for that state. For example, if you live in a state with at-fault laws and get in an accident in a no-fault state, you would be able to use personal injury protection (PIP) to pay for your medical costs, even if you don't have that coverage on your policy.

However, it's important to note that driving out of the country, such as to Mexico, may not be covered by your insurance policy. You may need to purchase a short-term policy or endorsement for coverage in another country. It's best to check with your insurance company before you leave to confirm your coverage.

International travel

If you're planning to drive your car outside of the United States, it's important to ensure you have the proper auto insurance coverage. Standard auto insurance policies typically only provide coverage for US drivers in Canada and Mexico, so if you're travelling further afield, you'll need to purchase additional coverage.

International Rental Car Insurance

If you're renting a car abroad, you should consider purchasing international rental car insurance to protect yourself from potential damages or accidents. Rental car companies and credit card companies may offer this type of insurance, but it's important to read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you're adequately covered. Contact your credit card company to clarify what coverage, if any, they provide.

Country-Specific Requirements

Before renting or driving a car in a foreign country, be sure to research the specific insurance requirements and laws of that country. Some countries may require you to purchase certain types of coverage or provide proof of insurance before you're allowed to drive. Insurance coverage can vary widely depending on the country, so it's essential to plan ahead and purchase coverage well in advance of your trip.

GEICO Overseas Insurance

GEICO Financial Services GmbH can assist with international insurance for cars, motorcycles, and personal property. They can help arrange marine transit insurance for shipping your vehicle overseas and can connect you with the necessary coverage for your destination country.

Temporary Insurance

If you're only travelling for a short period, you may be able to pause your car insurance while out of the country. Contact your insurance company to discuss your options.

Multi-state scenarios

If you work in a different state than where you live, you will need a policy from the state where you keep your vehicle most of the time. For example, if you live in Connecticut but work in New York, you would need a Connecticut car insurance policy as the vehicle is kept there overnight. The exception would be if you kept a second vehicle at your workplace, in which case you would need two policies: one for the vehicle kept in Connecticut, and one for the vehicle kept in New York.

If you have homes in two different states and keep vehicles at both, you will need a separate policy for each state. For example, if you have homes in Massachusetts and Florida and keep a car at each residence, each vehicle will need its own policy. However, if your car travels with you between houses, you will only need one policy. This is known as the "snowbird exception". For example, if you split your time between Ohio and Arizona and keep your car in the state where you're currently residing, you will have an Arizona policy for the fall and winter months, and an Ohio policy for the spring and summer months.

If you are a college student with a car on campus in a different state, you may need a separate, out-of-state car insurance policy depending on the state where you attend school.

Out-of-state college students

If you're an out-of-state college student, you may be wondering if your auto insurance will cover you. The answer depends on several factors, including state regulations, your primary address, and whether you return home during breaks.

In most cases, if you don't have a car and your primary residence is still your parents' home in a different state, you can stay on your parents' insurance in their state of residence. If you live over 100 miles from home, some insurers even offer a discount on the family's policy.

On the other hand, if you bring a car to school in another state and live out of state year-round, you may need to purchase a standalone policy in the state where you keep your car. It's important to check with your insurance company to see if you need to update your policy, as the laws vary from state to state. For example, students in Idaho are allowed to maintain out-of-state registration, but Connecticut students are not.

If you plan to live at home while attending college and don't own the vehicle you'll be driving, you can usually stay on your parents' policy. However, if you'll be living on campus or renting an apartment, check with your insurance company to find out if you need separate coverage.

Even if you're not taking a car to college, it's generally a good idea to stay on your parents' insurance policy so that you're covered if you ever need to drive during breaks. Staying on your parents' policy may also result in a discount for them if you plan to keep your car at home while you're away. Additionally, remaining on your parents' policy can help you avoid coverage lapses, which can increase your rates when you buy your own policy in the future.

If you need to bring a car to school and staying on your parents' policy isn't an option, buying your own policy can be expensive. Some factors that can influence your rates include your location, age, and how much you drive. However, many companies offer discounts for students, such as resident student discounts, good student discounts, and driver training discounts.

In conclusion, whether you're an out-of-state college student or not, it's important to understand the specifics of your insurance policy and how it may change when you're away at school. Contact your insurance provider to discuss your situation and ensure you have the necessary coverage.

Military members

Temporary Duty Trips

If you're driving to another state for a temporary duty trip and not changing your permanent duty station or home of record, your military car insurance typically doesn't need to be changed. Some states have special provisions for military members who want to keep coverage in place from their home address.

Permanent Change of Station Move

If you're making a permanent change of station move to another state, your out-of-state military car insurance must conform to the laws in the new state. You will need to ensure you carry your state’s required liability insurance on your car.

Insurance for Stored Vehicles

If you're about to be deployed and won't be using your car, several companies offer rate assistance for stored vehicles. Some insurance companies will also allow you to cancel your policy and reinstate it when you return without a lapse in coverage penalty. Alternatively, you can suspend your policy and pay a significantly reduced rate.

International Coverage

If you're heading overseas, several insurance agencies offer full protection for your vehicle outside of the United States. Some companies will also assist with physically shipping your car. Overseas car insurance is typically more expensive than domestic coverage.

Choosing an Insurer

Most major auto insurance companies offer discounts and special services for military service members. USAA and Geico are two of the cheapest auto insurance companies for military service members and veterans, and they offer specialty coverage options and discounts.

Frequently asked questions