Can I get car insurance without a home address?

I am between homes right now and staying in a hotel. My insurance canceled and I need to get a new policy. Do I have to wait until I move into my new apartment before I can buy one?

Getting car insurance coverage between homes is tricky, but there are a few options worth knowing about before you assume you have to wait. Car insurance companies use your home address as a key rating factor, and most require a stable, permanent address to issue a policy. When you're staying somewhere temporarily, like a hotel, insurers may classify you as a "transient risk," meaning there's no lease or agreement tying you to that location. Without that, many carriers won't write a new policy because it just creates too much risk for the insurance company to issue a policy.

If you plan on moving into your new place within 30 days, most companies will allow you to use that address to start a policy before you actually move in. This is probably your easiest path forward, so it's worth asking about when you shop around. If that doesn't work then you will just have to wait until you have signed your lease agreement.  

The most important thing is not to drive without coverage in Oregon while you sort this out. A lapse in coverage can affect your rates going forward, and driving uninsured carries real legal and financial risk. If you can sign your lease early or get a move-in date confirmed, that documentation can help you get a policy in place sooner.

If you want help shopping around to find a good rate once you're more settled, our agents would be happy to help you out and answer any other questions you've got.