Each year, an estimated 40 million Americans move at least once. It can be a stressful time that involves trying to organize everyone and everything, so it’s no surprise that many people forgot to update their new address with some of the less obvious, but often more important, people and organizations. Changing your address with the post office can get your mail forwarded to you, but it doesn’t update your address on your driver’s license, which can result in missing strict deadlines set by the state you move to, or let your health insurer know that you’ve moved, making it difficult to make a claim.
Your health insurer
Health insurers will often take your zip code into consideration when they work out your premium and cost of cover. Depending on where you’re moving from and to, this can work in your favor or go against you. Moving to what is considered a risky area will likely increase your price and vice versa. Not notifying them of your address change can result in unexpected additional costs and trouble making a claim. Your insurer will also need your address for sending you correspondence and bills, so if you don’t update them you may end up missing deadlines for payments, which can affect your credit score and financial situation. Updating it easy; just go to your insurer’s website or call them to update your address and tell them what date you will be moving.
The Department of Motor Vehicles
It’s always a good idea to update the address that your car is registered to and you may need to get a new driver’s license, particularly if you use it for identification. Some states have tighter deadlines than others for the time limit allowed to change your address. For example, in Oklahoma, the law requires the holder of a driver’s license or Oklahoma identification card to notify the Department of Safety in writing within 10 days of moving.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Letting the IRS know that you’ve moved can help to keep your sensitive personal information secure, such as your social security number, as they’ll send tax returns and other forms to your address. Updating can be done by phone, mail, or in person. Be aware that it can take four to six weeks for the IRS to fully process your change of address, so bear this in mind if it’s tax season and you’re waiting for a refund. Ideally, let the IRS know as soon as you move.
Your employer
This one may seem obvious, but many people talk to their manager and coworkers about moving and assume that’s all they need to do. The people who actually need to know is the human resources department. While most people get their paychecks online and wages directly into their bank account, yearly summaries, tax forms, and other important information will be sent to your address, so it’s important that your employee has this information correct. Worse case scenario? Your personal information gets sent to your old address and is used to steal your identity. Be sure to update this information as soon as you move.
Updating your address at the post office may seem like the best option as you end up with all your mail and get time to let different businesses and organizations know that you’ve moved, but there are some people that you’ll have to let know early on to avoid any problems.