Can I use a P.O. Box for my car insurance?

Key takeaways...

• Your car insurance company may accept a P.O. Box as a mailing address for information about your auto insurance policy, such as for mailing out your statements
• If you use a P.O. Box to make the auto insurance company think that you live in a different zip code than your permanent address, this could be fraud on your application
• Even if you cannot get into any legal trouble for lying on your car insurance application, the auto insurance provider can use it as a reason to deny your coverage
• Some auto insurance companies may not accept a P.O. Box as your home address on your policy because they want to know exactly where you reside and where your car is kept
• Your zip code is one of the factors that determines the rate that you pay for auto insurance based on the safety of your area

Some people may try to use a P.O. Box for their car insurance policy because they live in an area where the rates for car insurance are a bit more expensive. Some people just prefer to get their mail in a more secure location. Both of these are understandable, and either one could red flag you in the eyes of an insurance company.

If you’re trying to get the rates from a cheaper zip code when you don’t live there, the insurance company could deny your application. Worse, they could cancel your coverage based on the fraud in your policy application. Having your policy cancelled or not renewed due to something like misinformation on your residential address could have far reaching effects including on your future insurance rates.

However, the auto insurance company may agree to mail you documents at the P.O. Box address just for your convenience. Some companies block all post office box addresses. The system will automatically notify you to enter another address if this is the case. (For more information, read our “How long should I keep car insurance documents?“).

If you are on the lookout for the best auto insurance rates, start comparison shopping by entering your ZIP code above!

How Much Does Your Zip Code Matter in Getting Better Insurance Rates?

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The rate that you pay for auto insurance coverage can be affected by the zip code that you live in along with other factors, such as your:

• Driving record
• Credit score
• Type of car

This is part of why people may use a PO Box to hide their true location. Even if you have a clean driving record, things like property crime and how busy streets are can affect your insurance rates premiums. Insurers use residential address and how far you drive to work to assess this risk. They typically won’t deny you just for living in a certain area unless it’s out of the area they’re licensed in.

It is never a good idea to falsify information on your policy application because if you get caught down the line, this gives the auto insurance company a good reason to cancel your coverage or to try to get out of having to pay your claim. If this happens, many of the protections consumers enjoy don’t apply. Generally speaking, insurance companies have to give you a certain amount of notice if they plan to cancel or not renew your insurance policy. Falsifying your permanent address could put you in a tough spot when they catch on.

If the company decides to cancel your auto insurance policy, you will get an immediate notice telling you that you have to find another form of coverage.

You do not want to be facing a situation where your coverage is canceled early because you still need to have an active auto insurance policy in order to drive legally in your state.

You have a responsibility to find another auto insurance policy as quickly as possible so that you are not cited for driving without the required auto insurance coverage.

You also do not want too much time to lapse between having your coverage canceled and getting a new car insurance policy because this could mean that you have to pay a higher rate.

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How Can You Get The Best Price on Auto Insurance?

Instead of falsifying information about your zip code to appear as if you are in a lower crime area for auto insurance rates, there are much more effective ways to get a better rate for your auto insurance coverage.

Every company has a different way that they offer discounts to drivers for a better rate for auto insurance coverage. In general, discounts are offered to drivers who can show the auto insurance company that they have reduced their risk in driving.

One of the discounts that you may be eligible for is a bundling discount. A bundling discount applies to almost every auto insurance company that offers different lines of coverage.

For example, if you have your auto insurance with a particular company and your home owner’s insurance with a different one, then you should check into combining the policies with the company that will offer you the lowest rate.

When you are looking for auto insurance rates online, you should inquire about the potential discounts offered by the company that shows the lowest rate.

Discounts could be a good way to get even more of the coverage that you want without having to pay any more than necessary for it.

When it comes to getting good discounts on your auto insurance coverage, it never hurts to simply ask.

Wrap Up on Your Address for Your Car Insurance Policy