Question for those starting medschool in the Fall

[a_student]

---

Members don't see this ad.

are you guys/girls going to change the location your insurance company has as your location? or just not tell the car insurance company and go along w/ your life at the new city? what are the negative consequences of such an act?

 

[vhawk]

The negative consequences are if you get in a major accident and its obvious you have relocated, it constitutes fraud. This isnt as bad as it sounds most of the time, but they will almost for sure refuse to cover you and void your policy.

 

[Gerg]

I'd talk to your agent. I thought most people were insured through a NATIONAL insurance company.


For those that mentioned fraud, would you feel it is fraud to do nothing if your permenant address stays the same, while you move to a different school address?

 

[a_student]

yah i'm somewhat concerned about that, actually my insurance is a national insurance company, would they charge me extra if i goto the new location? the reason why mine is so cheap is because i'm having it through my parents and if i wanted to get it by myself (because i'm 22) they'd really rip me off. can i still be under my parents and tell them i'm in the other location?

 

[velo]

yeah i think it would be fraud, the rates are different depending on where you are currently living and doing most of your driving....so if you live out in the middle of nowhere with low rates, move to a big city for med school, and don't tell the insurance company, you're clearly hiding it from them to avoid a higher premium

 

[CoverMe]

depending on where you go, your rates will probably change one way or another. Not informing the insurance company of your new residence is basis for them not covering you in the case of a collision/theft etc.

a_student: Most insurance companies do not allow dependents to stay on their parents' insurance after the age of 22 or 23... whether or not your advise them of the new location.

Incidentally... are we, or are we not discussing an honesty issue???????????????????? hummmm.

 

[snapdad]

I was worried about this issue too, so I just called and asked the agent. I'm keeping my permanent address as Colorado but my school address will be in Philly. I explained the situation to the agent, told them that I'd be attending med school in Pennsylvania for four years (and would have my car with me), and asked if I needed to change my insurance to Philly. They talked to the home office, and called back and told me that I was ok keeping my insurance in Colorado. Big weight off my chest, knowing all the cards are on the table. It's better pricewise too, as Denver auto insurance is about half what it costs in Philly.

Edit: Point being, it's better to call, as this issue probably varies by state and by insurance agency. It's legal to keep your car registered in Colorado while you attend school elsewhere, but this might not be the case in some other states. Same goes for insurance companies...some might have a problem with it, others might not.

 

[phosphorylation]

i agree with snapdad, it varies by state most likely. I am almost possitive it doesn't work here in ohio. When I moved from Dublin, OH to Columbus, OH (OSU campus), it was a temporary thing. My parents are in dublin and the school's in columbus. They are both considered Columbus sometimes, since they are just about 5 minutes driving apart. I didn't even bother calling insurance because I wanted all my mail to stay going to my parents house. Insurance called me up one day and they're like, if you change the garage of the car you have to let us know. not sure how they found out. My premium went up by about 450 dollars...the columbus area is more expenive 😱

 

[calcrew14]

I explained the situation to the agent, told them that I'd be attending med school in Pennsylvania for four years (and would have my car with me), and asked if I needed to change my insurance to Philly. They talked to the home office, and called back and told me that I was ok keeping my insurance in Colorado. QUOTE]

It doesn't sound right. But here in CA, the agent gives us the same advice too. They didn't even call their headquarter. Parents can buy a car here and let their best doctor drive to the best out-of-state medical school to stay for several years and he is still covered. But we would need to find a new agent in the new state if we buy a new car there.

 

[a_student]

i'm gonna try to establish residency in the new state (to get instate tuition) does this change things?

 

[Gerg]

probably

 

[snapdad]

probably

Agreed. That's what got me off the hook, that I wasn't establishing residency in Pennsylvania.