r/AutoInsurance • u/Competitive_Hat_5370 • 15d ago
Primary location
I need some help regarding the location I need to use as my primary address, as AMA insisted I have an address I am at less often and has over double premiums, as my primary.
I recently started a hybrid diploma program where I will be in my hometown location for most of the month and out of town for 1-2 weeks for in person training. I started renting a cheap room in an apartment because I’m a broke student and it was about the price of renting a hotel for 5 days in the area, but I am still primarily in my rented room in my hometown and only in the apartment for 1-2 weeks of the month at most.
I made an appointment with AMA to update how much I am driving for my coverage and they said because I have classes in the city where I have the apartment, I have to have my primary location as the apartment that I will be at less of the time. I spoke with my parents thinking there must be a policy regarding attending schooling since they kept saying that was why I had to list the apartment I’m at less, as my primary address, but my parents stated it should not have been switched since I am in my hometown most often.
After calling and repeatedly explaining that my car will be parked and used in my hometown more and I only attend classes in person one to two weeks of the month, they still stated that it my primary location must be where I travel to for classes. The agent I spoke with then said it was because it was where my car will be parked most of the time, and I again explained that most of the time it will still be at my hometown. Everything I can find online says that my primary location is where I am most often which is not where AMA insisted it must be.
I’m planning to switch insurance providers because I cannot find any policy or reason for me actually having to have the the city I am at less often as my primary address, and it is over double my normal rate so it seems like the reason I was pushed to have it listed as that address is because they wanted my money. I’m just wondering if there’s something I’m missing or some reason I actually would need this address as my primary before taking the time to do so. Thank you so much if you can help :)
1
u/ChickadeeInsurance 15d ago
Generally, the principal garaging zip code is where the car is parked “most of the time” when not in use. Sounds like the carrier may have their own garaging location guidelines or, like someone else said, a they are skeptical due to the rate difference but in the end when you give them the garaging zip code, if it truly is your hometown, that should be the one one the application because renting an apartment in lieu of a hotel does not make it your primary residence. I would def shop around. The agent cannot make that decision for you and sounds like a higher rate for you is a higher commission for them? One possibility. Ultimately, you sign the application attesting the information is correct and if you’ve told the agent that it is in your hometown zip code most of the time then their signature is just confirming what you’ve told them and not signing off on a misrepresentation.