Moving is a stressful but exciting process. There’s so much to consider when you’re moving. You have to figure out how to go about packing, finding your new home, whether to hire a moving company, and so much more. Amid all the chaos that comes with moving, don’t forget to change your address. Changing your address when you’re moving can seem like an insignificant thing, but it’s important, especially when it comes to car insurance.
All insurance providers require you to change your address on your policy when you move. If you don’t, you can experience some severe consequences. Let’s discuss what might happen if you don’t change your address when you’re moving into your new home. We’ll also look at the process of changing your address and how to make moving a pleasant experience.
The Consequences of Not Changing Your Address When Moving
Not changing your address when moving can, in some cases, be considered insurance fraud. Insurance fraud includes the act of lying to your insurance provider about your current living situation. It can also include lying about insurance claims or benefits.
Many providers dictate your premium based on your ZIP code, so your provider can’t give you an accurate insurance rate when you don’t change your address. That’s where the fraud comes in.
The three main consequences of this insurance fraud are being taken to court by the insurance company, fines, and jail time. Below, we will look at each consequence in detail.
The Insurance Company Might Sue You
Insurance fraud can be rectified by the insurance company suing you for what you owe them. You will need to pay for a lawyer to soften the blow of the court ruling, and you will need to pay court fees. Court fees can be as low as a few dollars to several thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of your crime.
You Might Have to Pay Fines
Depending on how much money you steal from the insurance provider from insurance fraud, you can also face up to $25,000 in fines. You will have to pay $50,000 in fines if you steal more than $100,000 from the insurance company. The fraud would then be considered a felony.
There’s a great chance that your fine might not be that expensive if you don’t change your address within the 30 days allotted to you, but you will still have to pay regardless.
You Might Serve Jail Time
Sentences can be between a year and 15 years, depending on the severity of the insurance fraud. Some states consider insurance fraud a misdemeanor for a first-time offender, while others consider it a felony right off the bat.
It’s important to know the laws in your state and how they punish insurance fraud. It is a serious offense that should be avoided at all costs.
The easiest way to avoid insurance fraud of any kind is to be honest and make sure you’re giving accurate and truthful information to your insurance provider.
The Process of Changing Your Address on Your Policy
The process for changing your address on your insurance policy is quite simple. Below, we will look at two main ways you can change your address.
#1 – Contact Your Insurance Provider or Agent
Once you’re settled in your new home, you have 30 days to let your provider or agent know that you have moved. Make sure you contact them as soon as you can.
#2 – Go Online and Update Your Address
If your provider has a client portal for you to change your address, then simply login, go to your account settings or profile settings, and follow the prompts to change your address.
Changing your address on your policy is as easy as that. Please change your address as soon as you have moved. Put a reminder on your phone so that you won’t neglect this important task.
How to Make Moving a Pleasurable Experience
Moving can be very stressful and take a lot out of you, but there are ways to make moving a pleasurable experience. Below we will look at each method in detail and how to avoid common moving mistakes.
Make Packing a Family and Friends Affair
Don’t feel like you have to do all the packing by yourself. Invite friends and family to come and help you. If you have kids, encourage them to help as well. Moving is so much more manageable when you have others to help you. Don’t feel like you can’t ask for help with packing.
Make a Game out of Labeling Boxes
You can even make a game out of packing and labeling boxes for your family. You can create an assembly line and have teams competing against each other. Be creative and figure out ways to make the moving process fun and enjoyable. Ensure you have the proper packing materials to put away your things without getting damaged in the moving process.
Find a Well-Established Moving Company
If none of those ideas work, find a well-established and reputable moving company to do the packing, labeling, and moving for you. That way, you don’t have to lift a finger until you are already established in your new home.
Just know that hiring a moving company can be costly, depending on where your new home is located. Be prepared to pay around $5,000 or more, especially if your previous home was a larger property.
There are many other ways to make moving fun. Brainstorm some ideas with your family for future moves. Hopefully, you won’t have to move any time soon, but it’s always good to have a game plan for how to make the next move stress-free.
Moving is What You Make of it
Moving is never an easy process, but there are ways to make it more enjoyable for you and your family. Be creative and keep an open mind. Having these things will help you make the most out of moving.
We hope this blog about The Importance of Changing Your Address When Moving was resourceful. For additional tips and advice visit 8 Tips For Moving Out of an Apartment.
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