garaging 6 mo. out of state ... insurance different from registration?

Question

I have permanently lived in MA all my life. After graduating from college (in MA) I'm staying with my parents (also in MA) for a few months before I start my job.

I am *not* in the military, but my job involves moving to a DIFFERENT STATE every 6 months for 2 years. I want to keep my address with my parents as my permanent address. I have a MA license and car registration.

Since I'm not staying in another state for more than 6 months it's not a permanent move, right?? I don't need to change my registration and license every 6 months?

So is it ok to just notify my insurance of where the car will be garaged...even though it won't be in MA for 2 years and I have no other cars on my policy? Do I have to change my insurance address or can it be a temp garaging?

Will the state (MA or other) or my insurance (metlife) give me any grief about this???

I'm willing to risk having to argue that I'm a nonresident in each of the other states (IL,KS,NC,TX). I will not be buying property, voting, etc. in a new state. I think the fact that I have a lot of ties in MA (and an address with my family) will work in my favor. I don't want to create any indication of permanent resident in another state by changing my lic/reg. I think 6 mo. is a common cutoff and I should be able to argue my nonresident status.

I want to let my insurance know where the car will be garaged (no fraudulant intentions and would rather they know what they're insuring) but I also don't want them to say that I must change my tags. I think I've read somewhere that if I had another car at my MA address I would have less trouble changing location on my other car? Should keep my old car with my parents just to save the hassle of changing registration, etc!?

As far as inspection- there's a form for out of state and when i'll be back for it so I'm not worried

Answer 1

Massachusetts is a strange state. They are the only state out of 50, that does not share MVR information with other states. Some insurance companies require you to reside in your state at least 10 months out of the year. This is something you do not want to lie about. If you lie to them and then have an claim, it can be considered "Material Misrepresentation", and the company can and will deny your claim. So, in your best interest, call your agent see what they say.

Answer 2

Since you're not in the military or a college student and will be spending more than 30 consecutive days in the other states, you're probably going to have to go through the hassle of switching things around. Generally once you've been in a state for over 30 consecutive days, it's considered permanent unless you own 'vacation' property there.

But look at the bright side. MA has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. You'll probably save a bundle by registering and insuring your car when you move.

The state of MA won't complain much. Your insurance company will gladly charge you MA rates when they should be charging you less than half. But the states that you move to may have an issue with you not registering your vehicle locally and getting their driver's license.

You'll also have issues with MA safety and emissions inspections, a royal pain in the butt.

Answer 3

I don't see a problem with that however I would tell your car insurance company where you are parking your car at night (and where you're doing most of your driving).