The 90-Day Trap: Why Your ‘New York’ Car Insurance is Illegal in Florida
The Calendar is Ticking on Your License Plate
You love your winters in Florida. You drive your car down in November and drive back in April. It feels seamless. But legally, you might be driving uninsured. Florida law (and many other southern states) has a specific “registration clock.”
If your car is in the state for more than 90 days, the state requires you to register it there. If you don’t, and you get into a serious accident on Day 95, the insurance company investigates. If they find you effectively “moved” to Florida without updating your policy or registration, they can deny the claim for “Garaging Fraud.” You must either register the car in the south or explicitly list the southern address as the “Garaging Location” on your northern policy.
Vacant vs. Unoccupied: The 60-Day Clause That Voids Your Water Damage Claim
Is Your House “Resting” or “Abandoned”?
To you, your northern home is just “empty” while you are away. To an insurance company, there is a massive legal difference between “Unoccupied” (furniture is there, you intend to return) and “Vacant” (empty of furniture).
However, even “Unoccupied” homes face a threat. Most standard policies have a clause that says: “We will not cover frozen pipes, vandalism, or glass breakage if the home has been unoccupied for more than 30 or 60 consecutive days.” If you leave for a 4-month winter, you are in the danger zone. You simply must switch to a “Seasonal” or “Unoccupied” policy, or get a “Vacancy Permit” endorsement to keep your coverage active.
The Caretaker Requirement: Why You Need a Neighbor with a Logbook
The “Reasonable Care” Clause Explained
Insurers know that small leaks become big floods if no one is watching. That is why almost every policy covering a secondary home has a “Reasonable Care” clause regarding heat and inspections. It usually says you must maintain heat at a certain temperature (e.g., 55°F) and check the property regularly.
If a pipe bursts and floods your basement for three weeks because no one checked, the claim is denied for “Neglect.” You need a trusted neighbor or a professional “Home Watch” service to walk through the house every 1-2 weeks. Crucially, ask them to sign a logbook with dates. That logbook is your proof of “Reasonable Care” if you ever have to fight a claim denial.
Flo by Moen vs. Phyn: The Smart Water Valves That Save Your Insurance
The Robot Plumber That Never Sleeps
Water damage is the #1 enemy of the snowbird. A toilet supply line snaps, and 5,000 gallons of water ruin your home while you are 1,000 miles away. Smart water shut-off valves (like Flo by Moen or Phyn) are the solution.
These devices attach to your main water line. If they detect a leak—even a drip—they automatically shut off the water to the whole house and send an alert to your phone. Many insurance companies (like Lexington or Chubb) offer huge discounts or even require these devices for secondary homes. We compare the top models: Flo is great for its app, while Phyn often installs easier. Either one is cheaper than a molded-out living room.
Foremost vs. American Modern: The Best ‘Seasonal Home’ Insurance Policies
When State Farm Says “No,” These Guys Say “Yes”
You call your agent to insure your empty house for the winter, and they get awkward. “We can’t cover it if you aren’t there.” This is common. Standard carriers hate empty houses.
You need “Specialty Lines” insurance. Foremost and American Modern are the two heavyweights in this space. They specialize in “Seasonal,” “Secondary,” and “Vacant” homes. Their policies are designed for the snowbird lifestyle—they don’t care if the house is empty for 5 months. They cover the specific risks of absenteeism (like burglary and slow leaks) that standard policies exclude. We compare their rates and customer service scores.
Auto Transport vs. Driving Yourself: The Insurance Risk Calculation
Shipping the Car? Check the “Bill of Lading”
You don’t want to drive 1,200 miles on I-95, so you hire a transport truck. It costs $1,000. But what happens if the truck driver scratches your roof or drops the car?
Your personal auto insurance usually does not cover damage while the car is being transported as cargo. You are relying on the trucker’s insurance. You must ask for their “Certificate of Insurance” and check the “Cargo Limit.” Crucially, inspect the Bill of Lading before you sign it at pickup. Any pre-existing damage must be noted, or they will claim the new dent was already there. We teach you how to protect yourself during the hand-off.
Citizens vs. Private Market: Navigating Florida’s Insurance Crisis as a Part-Timer
The “Insurer of Last Resort” Reality
Florida’s insurance market is chaotic. Many private companies have gone bankrupt or fled the state. You might find that the only company willing to insure your older condo is Citizens Property Insurance Corp, the state-run insurer.
Citizens is affordable, but it has caps. It often has lower limits on liability and coverage for personal property. It is “bare bones” protection. If you are a snowbird with significant assets, a Citizens policy might leave you exposed. We discuss the “Surplus Lines” private market (like Lloyd’s of London syndicates) as a more expensive but much safer alternative for high-value homes.
The ‘Garaging Address’ Shuffle: How to legally Move Your Car Twice a Year
Keeping Your Plates, But Moving Your Coverage
Here is the secret to staying legal without registering your car in two states: Update the “Garaging Address.” You can keep your New York license plates and registration, but call your insurer and say, “For the next 5 months, this car sleeps in Sarasota, FL, zip code 34236.”
The insurance company will re-rate your premium based on the Florida risk (which might be higher or lower). This ensures you are covered if you crash in Florida. If you fail to do this, and they find out the car had been in Florida for months, they can deny your claim for hiding the risk location. Honesty is the only policy that pays.
Umbrella Policies Across State Lines: The ‘Underlying Limit’ Gap
The Bridge That Can Collapse
An Umbrella Policy provides $1 million+ in extra liability protection. It sits “on top” of your home and auto policies. But it only works if those underlying policies are strong enough to support it.
Here is the trap: Your NY auto policy might have $250,000 liability. Your FL auto policy might only have $100,000. If your Umbrella requires a minimum of $250,000 to kick in, and you have an accident in FL, the Umbrella will not pay. You have a “gap.” You must synchronize the liability limits on all your policies in all states to match the Umbrella’s requirements.
Suspension of Coverage: Saving Money on the ‘Other’ Car
Don’t Pay for Road Risks When the Car is in a Garage
Many snowbirds keep a “Florida car” that stays down south year-round. When you fly back north for the summer, that car sits in a garage for 6 months. Why pay for collision and liability?
You can call your agent and request a “Suspension of Coverage” or switch to “Comprehensive Only” (sometimes called “Storage Mode”). This keeps the car insured against theft, fire, or a hurricane dropping a tree on the garage, but removes the expensive driving coverage. It can save you hundreds of dollars. Just remember: you cannot drive it—not even around the block—until you call to reactivate it.
Domestic Medical Transport: Getting Back to Your Northern Doctor
Medicare is Local; Illness is Universal
You have a great cardiologist in New York. If you have a heart attack in Florida, the ambulance takes you to the nearest Florida hospital. Once you are stable, you want to go home to your own doctors. Medicare will not pay for a medical flight or ambulance ride back to New York just because you prefer it.
That flight can cost $20,000. Companies like MASA or Medjet offer “Domestic Medical Transport” memberships. If you are hospitalized more than 150 miles from home, they fly you to the hospital of your choice. For dual-state seniors, this is the bridge that connects your healthcare networks.
Condo ‘Loss Assessment’ for Absentee Owners: The $2,000 Surprise
When the HOA Bills You for Their Problem
You are in New York. In Florida, your Condo Association meets and decides the clubhouse roof needs replacing. They don’t have enough in reserves, so they issue a “Special Assessment” of $2,000 to every unit owner.
You open your mail and panic. But wait—your HO-6 (Condo) policy might pay this! Look for “Loss Assessment Coverage.” Standard policies cover $1,000, but you can usually bump this to $2,000 or even $10,000 for pennies a year. It is the cheapest protection against HOA mismanagement. Check your limits now before the next board meeting.
The ‘Dual-State’ Agent Verdict: Why You Need One Broker for Both Homes
Stop Playing “Telephone” Between Agents
Having an agent in NY (who doesn’t know FL laws) and an agent in FL (who doesn’t know NY laws) is a recipe for disaster. Gaps happen when agents don’t communicate.
I highly recommend finding an independent broker who is licensed in both states. Many agencies in the Northeast specialize in “Snowbird” clients and hold licenses in Florida, the Carolinas, and Arizona. This allows one person to see your entire life—Auto, Home, Umbrella—on one screen. They can ensure your dates line up, your limits match, and you never miss a bill.
The Ultimate Snowbird Departure Checklist: 10 Insurance Calls to Make
Close the House Without Closing Your Luck
Leaving a home for months is stressful. Use this insurance-approved checklist to secure your property:
- Water: Turn off the main water valve. Open faucets to drain pipes.
- Heat: Set thermostat to 55°F (or higher if required by policy).
- Mail: Forward mail so you don’t miss premium notices.
- Inspection: Confirm your caretaker has the key and the logbook.
- Notify: Call your agent to switch the “Garaging Address” for your car.
Do these 5 things, and you have built a legal defense against almost any claim denial.
My Final Verdict: The ‘Seasonal’ Rental Warning
Renting Your Place Out? You Just Voided Your Policy
To offset costs, some snowbirds rent their “empty” home on Airbnb or Vrbo for the months they are away. Warning: Your standard Homeowners or Seasonal policy usually excludes “business activity.”
If a renter burns down your kitchen, or slips and sues you, you are not covered. You are effectively uninsured. If you plan to rent the property—even for one week—you must switch to a Landlord Policy or a specialized Short-Term Rental Policy (like Proper Insurance). Do not hide this from your agent; the risk is too high.
Smart Home Tech That Lowers Premiums: A Final Recommendation
The “Digital Watchdog” Strategy
Insurers are paranoid about empty houses. You can ease their fears (and lower your bill) by installing technology.
- Video Doorbell: Proves the house is being watched.
- Smart Thermostat (Nest/Ecobee): Alerts you if the temp drops to freezing.
- Water Sensor: Alerts you to leaks.
Call your agent and ask for the “Protective Device Discount.” Often, the discount over 2-3 years pays for the gadgets entirely.
The Dual-State Portfolio Strategy: Summarizing the Setup
Connecting Your Two Lives
Living in two states is a dream, but it requires a “Portfolio Mindset.”
- The Northern Home: Standard Homeowners Policy with an “Unoccupied” endorsement if needed.
- The Southern Home: Condo or Dwelling Fire policy with a high “Wind” deductible you budget for.
- The Car: One policy, but with the address updated seasonally.
- The Umbrella: A multi-state policy that bridges everything.
Set this up once with a dual-licensed agent, and you can migrate like a bird without a worry in the world.