Switching car/license over to Massachusetts (Boston: apartment, insurance, DMV)

[jwinter228]

Hey everyone,

I just got a new place in Boston and I'm trying to figure out the costs of doing this. I'm currently a NY resident.

My insurance would go down (via Geico quote) from 385 to 360.

I would assume I'd need to register, convert my driver's license, and would I need to get it re-inspected too?

Also I see there's an excise tax on owning a car. I have a 2005 Civic HX - anyone have any idea what this car would cost in this tax? (I saw some formula somewhere that alluded to 10% of the value of the car is taxed at $25 per $1000 in value - so could it be somewhere above 35 bucks? - it was 13,500 retail new)

I was excited at first since I could park near my apartment but I'm starting to get concerned about all the additional costs.

Is there anything else that I would have to think about? I'd love to just keep it registered in NY but I wouldn't be able to get a parking permit.

Thanks for any help!

[holden125]

If it's an '05, this is the 4th year since the model year. So, if the original MSRP is $13,500, then $25 per $1000 is $337.50. The tax for the fourth year is 25% of that, or about $84. For 2009 it would be pro-rated and since we're already in the fourth quarter of the year, you're looking at about $20.

For 2010, since it will be the fifth year, the tax drops to the 10% you spoke about, so next year the tax will be about $33.75 and would be that same amount for as long as you keep the car.

You'll have to deal with the registration and license issues, but only once, and you'll save enough on insurance to make it back over time. Unless you can make a strong argument that you're maintaining a permanent residence in NY it really is better to change it over. I've heard of people who had accidents and their insurance claims were denied because they registered the car in a place they didn't actually live.

If you're in year one of a 2-year NYS registration, I believe you can get the money for the second year refunded from NYS DMV.

[jwinter228]

Ok sounds good - thanks a lot for the help! I was a bit confused by the excise tax at first.

[ScituateAl]

FYI that most insurance in MA is sold through agents who can price out the same insurance with multiple carriers. That said, Geiko's positioning is generally one of low(est) cost - but MA has competitive rates now and each company is going after different drivers. If you ever have a claim you also have the benefit of having it handled locally here in MA and not by some call center in the midwest.