Understanding insured car address rules is crucial for every vehicle owner. Auto insurance protects you while driving, but you must provide accurate details, including where your car is kept. Many people wonder if they can keep their insured car at a different address to save money. In this article, we explain why following the rules matters and what could happen if you don’t.
Can You Keep Your Insured Car at a Different Address?
To drive a vehicle in the United States, you need auto insurance. Legally, you cannot operate a car without coverage. Unfortunately, many drivers still drive uninsured. According to the Insurance Research Council, about 13 percent of drivers were uninsured in 2019.
Auto insurance typically covers bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, property damage liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Along with these protections, you must provide your correct vehicle address. But can you keep your insured car at a different address? Let’s break it down.
Can you keep your insured car at a different address?
The simple answer to this question is a big no. Insuring your automobile and keeping it at a different address than the one you reside in is something you shouldn’t do. If you use a different address to get a cheaper car insurance policy, you can be penalized for doing this. Let’s say you get into an accident, and the address on your policy is not where you live. Your claim can be denied because you utilized an incorrect address.
This is considered fraud and is treated as a serious offense with insurance providers. Rather than trying to get a discount by committing address fraud and possibly being subjected to fines and jail time, tell the truth about your address. The consequences of doing this can be severe. For example, let’s say your insurance company denies your claim because of a false address. You will be forced to pay out of pocket for any expenses for the accident. To further show the effect of claims like these, insurance fraud can cost households across the country approximately $400 to $700 per year. Over time, it’s just best not to lie about where you keep your car stored.
What happens when you lie about your insurance?
As a general rule, lying about any aspect of your insurance can be problematic. It’s best to give all the correct information to your potential insurance provider. Just like breaking the law with any other offense, there are consequences to lying when registering for car insurance.
When you lie to your insurance provider, several things can happen. First, your policy can be canceled. When your insurance is canceled due to “non-disclosure” of any information on your policy, this can count against you when applying for other insurance. When you are seen as high risk, this can hurt your chances of getting insurance in the future.
Another consequence of lying when it comes to your auto insurance is that a claim you might submit can be denied. Say you lie about the distance you drive for work, and you get into a car accident. If your insurance company finds out that you lied about this, they might be less likely to accept your accident claim. Your insurance premiums can also possibly go up if you decide to lie when it comes to your auto insurance. This can include lying about the address where your car is stored or located. You can also face jail time, fines, and penalties based on which state your car insurance is located in. When lying about anything associated with your car insurance, including which address your car is located at, it can affect you. Always follow insured car address rules to ensure your coverage is valid and your claims are protected.
