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M$1 January 25, 2009 11:16 PM

Can my car insurance company raise my rates just because I move?

The last time I moved, my car insurance rates went up just because I was living in a new area. This doesn't seem right, or even legal.
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January 26, 2009 05:10 AM
Insurance rates are based on risk.  There are many factors in the amount of risk you represent to the company that they factor in to arrive at a payment for you.  I will note beforehand that you're free to switch companies any time you want, and you can shop for a deal any time, so if a rate hike is unreasonable, just use a different company.

Think for a few minutes about what factors create risk:

  1. How far you live from work
  2. How densely populated your area is
  3. Weather - not directly, perhaps, but it affects accident rates in a tremendous way.
  4. Car theft rates - not only be region, but by KIND OF CAR per region, IE, Hondas might be stolen more in NYC, but Toyotas might be stolen more in Miami.  This is considered in rates you pay.
  5. State laws and regulations regarding car insurance can greatly affect rates - some states even force insurance companies to charge certain rates (MA did this until recently).
  6. Accident rates among that age group in your area.  Live in a college town?  If a higher percentage of 20 year olds in your area crash their cars, you're going to help pay for it!

There's nothing wrong or illegal with this.  Keeping a car in NYC is going to cost a lot more in terms of theft, crashes, and vandalism than it will ever cost anyone in Bangor, Maine.

But, even if you move from one similar place to another, there may be differences in the rates at which accidents/theft/damage occurs, and if that's the case, you'll end up paying for it.

I will reiterate - if you move, you really should examine your insurance options some and shop around.  There's a good chance that whatever was cheapest in your previous home town is no longer the cheapest due to the way the rates are calculated.


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January 25, 2009 11:23 PM
Absolutely they can. A person who lives in New York will pay higher insurance for driving the same car in than if they lived on a farm in rural Idaho. (Ok, that's extreme, but I'm sure you get my point.)

Driving in larger cities the chances of having an accident are greatly multiplied, and insurance rates will go up every time.

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January 25, 2009 11:25 PM
Yes and no. Your rates depend on a variety of factors such as; your driving record, year make and model of vehicle, your credit score, distance you commute to work, vehicle safety features (airbags, alarms, seatbelts etc.) and where you live.
For example; I drive a 2001 Nissan Xterra 4wd. My insurance rates in Wyoming (where I attend college) are almost double what they are in my home state of Arkansas. The Variations in weather are the key: we get several feet of snow a month in Wyoming versus Arkansas where it rarely snows.
Insurance companies also factor in other data points that are specific to your area such as the crime rate.
Source(s):
Personal experience.


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January 26, 2009 05:22 AM
The short but easy answer is...

If it's in your contract they can do whatever they want.
If it's not against any of the state laws of the state your moving to.

Everything the rest of these people said is true. Your rates are based on a ton of variables. The states population, road conditions, and accident rates all factor in and change the risk of your insurance.

Good Luck.

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