Home » Car Insurance 101 – Commons Questions

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Marissa Hayes

Insurance Writer & Expert

Marissa Hayes is a technical editor and contributing writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in history, and she was the editor of the literary magazine, The Bluestone Review.

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Written by Marissa Hayes

Insurance Writer & Expert

Reviewed by:

Daniel Walker

Licensed Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...

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Reviewed by Daniel Walker

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Nov 16, 2023

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The car must be registered in the state where you live or in the state where your official residence is listed. The only time this is not allowed is when a college student is studying in another state. Thus, you should register your car and car insurance in the state where you work, go to school (except for the above-mentioned exception), are registered to vote, where you pay rent or property tax, or your permanent assignment if you work in the military.

If you buy a second hand car that is registered in another state, you should have the ownership transferred to your name. This protects you from any case involving the previous owner and ties up all loose ends regarding the car. You also cannot register and insure the car in another state just because the rates are cheaper there.