Choosing More Coverage

Posted on: 20 June 2018

Your location is one of the biggest factors that determine your car insurance rates. That is why your auto insurance may be affected when you move to a different location. Here are some of the specific aspects of your car insurance coverage that may be affected when you move.

It Affects Your Liability Limits

Auto insurance liability limits are set at the state levels. Therefore, moving from one state to another may expose you to lower or higher liability limits. You have to increase your liability limits when you move to a state with a higher limit, but it's entirely up to you whether to lower your liability limit when you move to a state with a lower limit.

It Affects Your Car's Risk of Theft

Moving may also affect your car's risk of theft, something that your insurer is also interested in. This may be the case, for example, if your new neighborhood has high crime statistics, particularly those relating to car theft. It may also be the case if you have moved to a development with scarce and insecure parking spaces.

It Affects Your Risk of Accident

Your location is also one of the factors that determine your risk of accidents. For example, your risk of accidents is high if you have to use a dangerous highway (that is, a highway with above average accident statistics) to go to work every day. In this case, your new home is likely to lead to higher auto insurance rates for you.

It Affects Your Commute

The length of your commute may change if you have moved your home but maintained your workplace. This will change your average annual mileage for better or for worse depending on whether you have moved further or closer to your workplace. Don't forget that your annual mileage is one of the factors auto insurance companies use to determine rates.

It Affects the Condition of Roads

Lastly, your move may also create a chance in the condition of roads you have to drive over every day. Moving to a neighborhood with poorly maintained roads, for example, increases your risk of damaging the car or getting involved in a car accident. Your auto insurance carrier will also be aware of this fact and adjust your rate accordingly.

Note that you will be required to notify your current car insurance carrier when you move. It's also a good idea to talk to your insurance agent and figure out the changes, if any, your coverage may need. For more information, check out a website like http://www.unitedsecurityagency.com.