Using Your Parents’ Address for Auto Insurance (2024)
A driver can use their parents’ address for auto insurance if their parents’ home is still the driver’s primary address.
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jun 18, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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: Jun 18, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- College students whose primary address is at their parents’ home can be on their insurance
- Drivers can use their parents’ address and stay on their insurance policy as long as they still live with their parents
- Drivers moving out of their parent’s home must purchase their own insurance policy with their new primary address
If you’re relocating from your parents’ home, you might wonder if you can still use their address to get auto insurance policy quotes. Insurance costs are higher in some ZIP codes, so some drivers may attempt to lie about their addresses to get cheaper rates.
In most situations, you’ll need to purchase your own policy and update the address of insurance to reflect your new address or risk getting dropped for insurance fraud for lying about where you live to your auto insurance company.
The exception is college students whose primary address is still their parent’s. Insurance providers allow these students to stay on their parent’s insurance policy and continue using parents’ address for car insurance. Can I use my parents’ address for car insurance? Yes. You can also use your parents’ address as long as you live with them.
Continue reading to learn more about when your car insurance address needs to be updated when you move out of your parent’s house, what to put for an insurance address and when it can stay the same.
When You Can Use a Parent’s Address for Car Insurance
So, if you are wondering, am I covered by my parents’ car insurance? Unlike health insurance, there’s no age limit for car insurance so you can stay on your parent’s insurance or use their address for insurance as long as you still live with them. Can a car insurance address be different from a home address? If your parent’s address is your primary home address, you can keep using their address.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for car insurance if you stay covered under your parent’s policy.
As you can see, in most cases, staying on your parent’s car insurance can help keep your car insurance rates low.
Read more: Does auto insurance cover me under my parents policy?
Why did my car insurance go up when I changed my address?
So, if you’re wondering, does changing my address affect car insurance, the answer is yes. Changing your address does affect your car insurance. The answer is yes. Your car insurance may increase when you change your address for several reasons:
- Risk Factors: Insurance companies assess risk based on factors such as crime rates, accident statistics, and the likelihood of natural disasters in your new area. If your new address is considered higher risk, your premium will reflect that.
- Population Density: Urban areas with higher population densities tend to have more traffic and, consequently, a higher likelihood of accidents, which can increase your insurance rates.
- Repair Costs: The cost of car repairs can vary by location. If your new area has higher labor and parts costs, this can contribute to higher premiums.
- Theft Rates: Areas with higher car theft rates can lead to increased insurance costs, as the risk of your vehicle being stolen is higher.
- Local Laws and Regulations: Different states or regions have varying insurance requirements and regulations, which can affect your insurance costs.
- Proximity to Services: Living further from emergency services, such as fire stations or hospitals, can also impact your rates.
If you notice a significant increase in your premium after moving, it’s a good idea to discuss the changes with your insurance provider to understand the specific factors influencing the new rate.
What are other exceptions when I can use a parent’s address?
As stated, you can use a parent’s address if you still live with them. However, should college students use their home address or college address for auto insurance? Most insurance companies allow college students to stay on their parent’s insurance or continue using their address.
For example, if you move to college, but your primary home address is still your parents’ address, you can stay on your parent’s insurance or use their address for your insurance policy. Insurance companies may also offer a discount for college students, typically called a distant student auto insurance discount, and an auto insurance discount for students with good grades.
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When do you need to update your auto insurance address?
If you’re moving out of your parent’s house and it will no longer be your primary address, you’ll need car insurance to update your home address. Insurance requires a driver’s home address to calculate rates, as companies look at local risks like the rate of crashes in the area, extreme weather, and more.
So if you’ve got your own place and are moving out, you’ll need to update the address on your insurance policy. You’ll also need to purchase your own insurance policy with your new address if you’re still on your parent’s policy as a driver.
What happens if I don’t update the address?
Unless you’re a college student, purposefully lying about your primary address when you move out of your parent’s home can lead to multiple issues. Some of the things that may happen include:
- You can get dropped by your insurance company. If your insurance company finds out you lied about your address to get cheaper rates, it may drop you as a customer.
- You could get charged for backdated rates if there was an increase. If you’ve been living at your new address for quite some time, insurance may bill you for the amount you should have been paying.
- Denied claims. Insurance companies may deny claims if you don’t change your address to your current primary address.
- Insurance fraud charges. In worst-case scenarios, insurance companies may file insurance fraud charges against you.
Read more: can i get backdated auto insurance
Insurance companies won’t penalize you if you don’t immediately notify them about your new address change in an insurance policy during the week of your move. However, if you moved out a year ago and still use your parents’ address, you could get dropped from insurance or denied claims, especially if your parents’ area has cheaper insurance rates.
Updating Address for Car Insurance
If you’re permanently moving out of your parent’s house, you’ll need to update your address for insurance. Can I use a different address for my car insurance? No, you can’t use a different address on car insurance. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to notify your auto insurance company for change of address.
So, how to change address for car insurance? You can generally request a change address for car insurance through the following methods:
- Call your insurance company and speak to a representative.
- Change your information through your online insurance account.
- Change your information through the insurance company’s app.
Remember that if you change your address in a car insurance policy, your rates can raise or lower depending on where you move.
If you’re changing car insurance when moving states, you may also need to find a new insurance company if it doesn’t provide coverage in your state, or you may need to update your insurance coverages to match your new state requirements.
Make sure to change the address on your car insurance policy, read auto insurance company reviews, and check rates to pick a good company.
Updating Address for Vehicle Registration
You’ll also need updated car registration if you purchase your own auto insurance policy after moving out of your parent’s home. Does your car insurance address have to match your license and does car registration have to match insurance? Yes, your car registration should match your driver’s license address, which is your primary address.
Most states give drivers 10 to 15 days to update their addresses on registrations and licenses. You should update your vehicle registration and license whenever your home address changes.
How much does car insurance change of address cost? The cost of car insurance address change can vary depending on several factors. These may include your new location, changes in risk factors associated with that area, and any alterations in coverage or discounts.
It’s advisable to contact your insurance provider directly to inquire about how to change a car insurance address and for any potential cost adjustments associated with a change of address. Of course, if you’re still living with your parents or are just moving out temporarily to go to college, you won’t need to update the different address on license and insurance.
Can I register my car at my parent’s address?
So, can I insure my car at my parents’ address? You need to use your primary address for registration, which can be your parents’ address if you still live with them. A primary address is where you live most of the time, and you can only have one primary address.
You don’t want to use a secondary address for car insurance or registration, which would be a home you use on weekends or your college dorm.
Read More:
- Can I Register A Car In A State Where I Don’t Live?
- What if you lie about where you live to your auto insurance company?
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The Final Word on Using Your Parents’ Address for Insurance
If you’re curious, can you be on your parents’ car insurance if you don’t live with them? Using your parents’ address for insurance is perfectly acceptable if you’re a college student or still live at home. However, if you’re permanently moving out, you’ll need to update your address on your insurance, driver’s license, and registration.
If you need to find new car insurance with better rates for your new address, the best way to lower your costs is to shop around at different auto insurance companies. You can use our free quote comparison tool to find the cheapest auto insurance in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my address if I’m still on my parent’s insurance?
Can I keep my permanent address as my parents’ house? If you’ve permanently moved out of your parent’s house, you’ll need to purchase your own insurance policy with your new address. You can only stay on your parent’s insurance if you still live with them or are a college student.
If my parents own my car, do I need to change my insurance policy address?
Regardless of who owns the car, the address on the insurance policy must reflect the primary address where the car stays. So the address on your insurance policy must reflect where you live.
Does my car need to be registered at the same address as my insurance policy?
Can I register my car at my parent’s address? You should register your vehicle at the same primary address as your insurance policy, so if you still live with your parents, you can register your car at your parents’ address.
Are there any alternatives to consider if I cannot afford insurance at my own address?
If you’re facing financial difficulties and finding it challenging to afford insurance at your own address, it’s important to explore other options rather than providing false information. Consider reaching out to insurance providers to discuss potential discounts, payment plans, or alternative coverage options that align with your budget. Additionally, some states offer low-income or subsidized insurance programs that may be available to you. Researching these alternatives can help you find a legitimate and affordable solution.
What are the consequences of providing false information to my insurance company?
Providing false information to your insurance company, such as using your parents’ address when you don’t live with them, can have serious consequences. If the insurer discovers the misrepresentation, they may cancel your policy or deny any claims you make. Moreover, insurance fraud is a legal offense, and engaging in such activities can result in criminal charges, fines, and other penalties.
Do you have to live at the same address for car insurance?
No, you don’t necessarily have to live at the same address for car insurance. However, the address where the vehicle is primarily kept and used should be accurately disclosed to the insurance company. Failure to provide the correct address may result in voiding your insurance policy.
Does your driving license address and car insurance address have to match?
Ideally, it’s recommended to keep your driving license address and car insurance address consistent. However, they don’t necessarily have to match. It’s essential to inform both the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and your insurance provider of any changes in address to ensure accurate records and coverage.
Can I keep my parents’ address on my driving license?
Generally, you are required to update your driving license with your current residential address. Keeping your parents’ address on your license when you no longer live there can lead to legal complications.
Can I be on my parents’ car insurance if I own the car?
In most cases, if you own the car, you will need your own insurance policy. Insurance companies typically require the owner of the vehicle to be the primary policyholder.
Will changing my address affect my car insurance?
Yes, changing your address can affect your car insurance. Insurance companies use your location as a key factor in determining your premium. Moving to a different area, whether it’s a different neighborhood, city, or state, can result in changes to your insurance rates.
Does changing your address affect your car insurance?
Yes, changing your address can affect your car insurance rates. Premiums are calculated based on various factors, including your location, so moving to a different ZIP code could increase or decrease your rates.
Can you insure a car at a different address?
Insurance companies usually require the address where the car is primarily kept. Insuring a car at a different address than where it is actually stored can be considered fraudulent and may result in a denial of coverage.
Can I drop my child from my car insurance?
Yes, you can remove your child from your car insurance policy. You may want to do this if they no longer drive your car or have their own insurance policy.
Can a married child be on parents’ car insurance?
A married child can stay on their parents’ car insurance policy, but this depends on the insurance company’s policies and whether the child still lives at the parents’ address.
Does car insurance address need to match registration?
Yes, the address on your car insurance policy should match the address on your vehicle registration. Mismatched addresses can cause issues with claims and potentially violate state laws.
Can I drive my parents’ car if I’m not on their insurance?
You can usually drive your parents’ car occasionally if you are not listed on their insurance policy. However, regular use may require you to be added as a driver to ensure coverage.
Can I be on my parents’ car insurance if the car is in my name?
If the car is titled in your name, you typically need to have your own insurance policy. Insurance companies generally require the policyholder to match the vehicle owner.
What is the car insurance age cutoff for young drivers?
Car insurance premiums are generally higher for young drivers under 25 due to their higher risk profile. Some insurers may offer reduced rates starting at age 21 if the driver has maintained a clean driving record.
Is it illegal to use your parents’ address for car insurance?
Using your parents’ address to obtain car insurance at a lower rate when you don’t actually live there can be considered insurance fraud. Insurance policies are based on the primary residence of the driver, and providing false information can lead to denied claims, policy cancellation, fines, or legal consequences.
Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
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.
