A PCS move can change your car insurance requirements overnight. Different states have different minimum coverage laws, no-fault rules, and registration requirements. Here is your complete guide.
| State | Min Liability | No-Fault | PIP | UM/UIM | Major Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 30/60/25 | No | No | Not required | Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, JBSA |
| California | 15/30/5 | No | No | Required (opt-out) | Camp Pendleton, Fort Irwin, NB San Diego |
| Virginia | 30/60/20 | No | No | Required | Fort Liberty (NC border), NB Norfolk, Quantico |
| North Carolina | 30/60/25 | No | No | Required | Fort Liberty, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point |
| Florida | 10/20/10 | Yes | $10,000 PIP required | Not required | Eglin AFB, MacDill AFB, NAS Pensacola |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | No | No | Not required (opt-out) | Fort Stewart, Fort Eisenhower, Robins AFB |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | No | $10,000 PIP required | Required | JBLM, NB Kitsap, Fairchild AFB |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 | Yes | $10,000 PIP required | Not required | JBPHH, Schofield Barracks, MCB Hawaii |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | No | No | Required | Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, USAFA |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | Yes | $10,000 PIP required | Not required | Fort Campbell, Fort Knox |
| New York | 25/50/10 | Yes | $50,000 PIP required | Required | Fort Drum, West Point, Fort Hamilton |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | No | No | Not required | Fort Huachuca, Davis-Monthan AFB, Luke AFB |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | No | No | Required | Fort Jackson, JBCHS, Shaw AFB |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | Yes | $4,500 PIP required | Not required | Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, McConnell AFB |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | No | No | Required | Fort Sill, Tinker AFB, Altus AFB |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 | No | $2,500 PIP required | Required | Fort Meade, Aberdeen PG, NAS Patuxent River |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | No | No | Not required | JBER, Fort Wainwright, Eielson AFB |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | No | No | Not required | Nellis AFB, Creech AFB, NAS Fallon |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | No | No | Required | Keesler AFB, NAS Meridian, Camp Shelby |
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | No | No | Required | Fort Novosel, Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell AFB |
Under the SCRA and many state laws, military members can maintain their legal residence (home of record) in a different state from their duty station. This affects insurance in several ways.
An OCONUS (outside continental US) PCS creates different insurance considerations than a CONUS move. Your US auto insurance policy does not provide liability coverage overseas.
If shipping your vehicle overseas, you will need host-nation insurance. Your base transportation office coordinates shipping. Switch your US policy to comprehensive-only storage until you arrive and set up local coverage.
If leaving your vehicle in the US, switch to comprehensive-only storage coverage ($7-20/month). This is the most common and cost-effective approach for 2-3 year OCONUS tours.
Vehicles being shipped by the military are covered under military transit provisions. For privately arranged shipping, verify coverage with both your insurer and the shipping company. Consider temporary additional coverage during transit.
| Insurer | PCS Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | Excellent | Seamless nationwide coverage, no re-quoting when you move. Automatic rate adjustment to new state. Dedicated PCS support line. Coverage never lapses during transit. |
| Geico | Good | Nationwide coverage with easy address updates. May need to re-rate in new state, but no gap in coverage. Online process for most state transfers. |
| Armed Forces Insurance | Good | Nationwide, PCS-aware support. May need to call for some state transfers but process is military-friendly and fast. |
| Progressive | Fair | Nationwide availability. Address change may trigger re-rating and could require agent contact in some states. No dedicated PCS support. |
| State Farm | Varies | Agent-based model means you need to transfer to a new agent in your new state. Some areas have great military-focused agents, others do not. |
| Regional Insurers | Poor | If you are with a regional insurer (Erie, Wawanesa, etc.), you may need to switch companies entirely when PCSing to a state they do not cover. |
Most states require you to update your address within 30 days of moving. Failing to do so can result in claims being denied because your insurer rated you for the wrong location.
If you PCS from a low-minimum state (Florida: 10/20/10) to a high-minimum state (Alaska: 50/100/25), your existing coverage may not meet the new state's requirements. You could be driving underinsured.
A PCS from Fort Liberty to the Pentagon changes your commute dramatically. Your insurer should know your new daily mileage to rate you correctly. A longer commute increases your risk profile.
Updated 15 April 2026. State minimum requirements verified with state insurance department websites.