If you have an upcoming long distance move, you may be overwhelmed with everything involved in packing up and moving to a whole new state. However, one thing you should not forget about is your automotive insurance, since it will likely need to change to a new provider. Here is what you need to know about changing auto insurance.

Is There A Time Limit For Changing Insurance Providers?

Check with the local DMV at your new location to find out how long you have to switch insurance providers. You may have a month or less to do it, depending on where you live. In general, expect for it to be done within the same window that requires you to switch your license and vehicle registration to your new state.

What Are The Consequences Of Not Changing Insurance Providers?

Unfortunately, not changing insurance is kind of a gray area in several ways. The first potential problem is if you have coverage. Your insurance provider may not grant you coverage if you are in an accident, even if you have been paying for insurance while living in another state. If you do have coverage, it may be more complicated to make a claim when you are not living in the same state as the insurance provider.

The way the police handle insurance from another state also varies. If they see you have an updated driver's license, but insurance from another state, you may have some questions to answer regarding why they do not match. It could result in getting a ticket for not having proper insurance.

Can You Get Identical Coverage With A New Insurance Provider?

Getting similar coverage will really depend on which states you are moving between. Some states have no-fault auto insurance, and if you are switching to a state that doesn't use those standards, you are going to have different coverage. If you are going between states that treat fault the same way, it's likely that you'll get a similar policy. One thing to be aware of is coverage minimums for your new state. You may have had the bare bones auto insurance service in the past, and now need to have something more substantial.

When in doubt about your insurance need when moving, call a local insurance provider for more information. They'll know specifics about your needs based on the state you're coming from, and answer any questions you have.