I'm currently in a tricky situation as it comes to insuring my vehicle. For context, I am a CA resident and have been my entire life. I have a CA license, vote in CA, have my permanent residence be in CA, and have resided in CA my entire life.
I just graduated in June and have since moved to WA for work. I do not intend to be in the state for longer than a year total. this would be 5 months in the year of 2024 and 6 months in the year of 2025. Upon finishing out this term, I plan on moving back to CA, being a resident in CA, and living in CA.
This does get tricky however as it comes to insurance. I understand that auto insurance is based on where the car is garaged. For the winter months, I plan on driving the car back to CA and keeping it there, however as of now require auto insurance for these months in WA. Based on the CA rules, I can keep my registration since the car will be garaged in CA > 50% of the time. In order to get insurance in WA, my current carrier is notifying that I must get a WA license, WA title, and WA plates. Given, I will keep the car in CA most of the time, this does not make sense, however due to this how can I get insurance in WA?
Mind you, I also do not own this car as it belongs to my mother (who is a CA resident) and insures the car in CA. I've been an additional driver on her policy; I can be added to the title, but it would still be a CA title as the car will reside there. I would only need insurance a few months out of the year in WA when I drive it up.
I've looked into Non-owner car insurance (since I don't own the car, however that is not designed for this). I only want liability coverage and do not know where to go from here.
How can I get auto insurance while the car is in 2 states?
byu/firebreather3000 inInsurance
Posted by firebreather3000
3 Comments
On a 6 month policy with most insurers you would need to insure it in Washington. Then if you go back to CA at that time would need a CA policy.
If you live in WA you need a WA driver’s license, and WA insurance. Yes even if it’s “only for a year”.
Most states require switching license/registration within 30 days of moving…
Most states require you switch license, registration, and insurance within 30 days, and “only a year” is not an exclusion or exception to the law. Either the vehicle registration needs to be switched to you and everything switched to WA, or the vehicle needs to stay in CA with the registered owner.
I’m sure people will say “just don’t tell them” and other similar advice, but that is insurance fraud and can get you and your mother both into big trouble.