Madison County Clerk advises movers: don’t cancel prior-state auto insurance until you register new plates

Madison County Clerk Mike Kebbell urged residents who move to another state not to cancel their prior state's auto insurance until they have registered the vehicle and placed new license plates on it. "Do not cut your New York state insurance until you are ready to put plates on the vehicle in your new state," Kebbell said in his regular "Mike's Monday" message.

Kebbell said auto insurance "has a 100 different ways to get caught in a trap" and recommended that people "give yourself a cushion" when transferring registration and coverage. He advised movers to check the rules for the state they are moving into and to obtain insurance there, but cautioned against ending the previous state's coverage while the vehicle still displays the new state's plates. "I should have Virginia insurance," he said by way of example, "but don't end your New York insurance while you still have license plates on your vehicle in that new state."

Kebbell warned of administrative consequences if coverage is cancelled too early: "If you do, you'll get a suspension on the registration, and if it goes 90 days, your license will be suspended." He framed the guidance as a practical step to avoid registration and licensing penalties rather than legal advice and encouraged residents to confirm specific requirements with the motor vehicle agency in the state they are moving to.

Kebbell closed the message by asking listeners to share it with friends and family and offering a benediction. No formal action or vote accompanied the advisory.