How Moving Affects Your Home, Auto, and Business Insurance
Moving to a new home? While you might be focused on transporting furniture or picking out paint colors, it’s important not to overlook your insurance policies. Moving can significantly impact your premiums and protection. A change in scenery can often mean a change in what you pay and how well you’re covered.
Regardless of where you move, your home, auto, and business insurance are likely to change. With all of these policies in flux, it can feel overwhelming—but your insurance agent is here to help. It’s best to inform your insurance agent of your move before it happens, rather than afterward.
Read on to learn how moving to a new home—or relocating your business—can impact your insurance coverage.
How Moving Impacts Your Auto Insurance
Auto insurance rates depend heavily on where you live, so they can increase or decrease after you move. Insurers adjust prices based on the level of risk in your new neighborhood.
Factors your insurer may assess include:
- Population density, which can increase accident risk due to heavier traffic
- Crime rates, which affect theft and vandalism risk
- Severe weather exposure, such as hurricanes or tornadoes that can damage vehicles or cause accidents
- Commute length and routes
- Risk of animal strikes
- Road and infrastructure quality
You might assume that moving to a bigger city will raise your rates—and most likely, you’d be right. More traffic and higher rates of theft or vandalism often translate to higher premiums.
However, moving to a rural area doesn’t always mean lower auto insurance. Rural regions can have longer commutes, higher risks of deer strikes, and more frequent severe weather events—all of which can keep rates steady or even increase them.
As of 2025, the states with the highest average auto insurance rates are Louisiana, Florida, and California. The lowest are Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
How to Update Your Auto Insurance When You Move
Once you know your new address, notify your insurance company or agent as soon as possible to avoid billing issues or denied claims.
If you’re moving to another state, you’ll need a new policy, as coverage requirements and provider availability vary. Contact your agent ahead of time—they can help ensure compliance and continuity.
After moving, be sure to update your vehicle registration, driver’s license, and insurance promptly. Most states require you to update your address with the DMV within 30 days, and many insurers have similar timelines. Ensuring your license address matches your policy helps prevent penalties and coverage complications.
How Moving Affects Your Homeowners Insurance
Like auto insurance, homeowners insurance rates depend partly on location, meaning they can increase or decrease depending on where you move. Your premium also varies based on your home’s value, age, and condition.
Location
If you move to an area with higher crime rates or greater exposure to natural disasters—such as tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or hailstorms—your rates may rise. Homes near coasts or in floodplains may also require additional coverage, such as flood insurance.
Home Value
Your home’s value determines how much coverage you’ll need. Moving into a higher-value property usually means increasing your coverage limits. Opting for replacement cost coverage rather than actual cash value coverage can also result in higher premiums.
Older Homes
Older houses may not meet current safety standards, particularly if they have outdated wiring, plumbing, or roofing. These factors increase the risk of costly damage and repairs. Unique architectural features or non-standard materials can also make repairs more expensive, raising your rates.
Proximity to Fire Services
Homes located within five miles of a fire station often qualify for lower premiums due to faster emergency response times. However, if your new town relies on volunteer firefighters, you may see higher rates due to fewer resources and longer response times.
How to Update Your Homeowners Insurance When You Move
Before your move, talk with your agent about obtaining a new homeowners policy. They’ll help ensure that every part of your new home is covered—from high-end appliances and new furniture (which may require increased personal property coverage) to sheds, swimming pools, and outdoor structures, which may need higher liability limits or additional endorsements.
Business Insurance: What Happens When Your Business Moves?
If you’re relocating your business or opening a new location, notify your insurance agent beforehand. Failing to do so within 30 days could mean any losses at the new location won’t be covered. It’s important to ensure your new commercial space is properly insured—your lender or lienholder will also require proof of coverage.
Key coverages to review and update when your business moves include:
- Business owners policy (BOP)
- Commercial property insurance
- General liability coverage
- Workers’ compensation
- Commercial auto insurance
- Inland marine insurance
- Cyber liability insurance
If you operate a home-based business and are updating your homeowners policy, don’t forget to review your business coverage as well.
Does Insurance Cover Property Damage During a Move?
While your homeowners insurance may offer some protection for your personal belongings during a move, this is typically limited to losses caused by a covered peril, such as theft or fire. Damage from poor packing or rough handling is usually not covered.
If you hire a licensed moving company, they will typically carry liability and cargo insurance to protect your belongings in transit. Before your move, create an inventory or take photos of your items for documentation.
Moving can be a stressful process, but C&S Insurance is here to make it easier. Always let your insurance agent know about major life changes, like moving, even if it’s temporary. We’re here to answer your questions, review your policies, and ensure you’re getting the best coverage without overpaying.
Talk to an agent today to make sure your move doesn’t leave your coverage behind.