The Moving to Texas Guide

So, you're moving to Texas.

Welcome. You've got a new address, a new state and a few things to take care of. Here's the big-picture guide to getting yourself, your car, your home and your insurance settled in Texas.

↓ Let's get you moved
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Welcome to Texas. Let's get the boring stuff out of the way.

Moving somewhere new should mostly be about discovering your neighborhood. Unfortunately, the government, insurance companies and your car have some paperwork they'd like you to do first.

01
Before the truck arrives

Keep your important documents with you.

Don't let the paperwork you're going to need disappear into a moving truck. Put the essentials together before moving day.

□ Current driver's license or ID
□ Passport or birth certificate
□ Social Security documentation
□ Vehicle title + registration
□ Insurance documents
□ Lease, deed or closing documents
Charley says: Keep these with you. Not underneath your toaster in the back of a moving truck.
02
New home base

Get your new address working for you.

Forward your mail, start updating your accounts and get utilities lined up. Your Texas address will also become important when you're establishing residency.

□ Forward your mail
□ Update banks + credit cards
□ Update employer + payroll
□ Set up electricity + utilities
□ Update insurance
One number worth remembering

Your car has a 30-day to-do list.

New Texas residents generally have 30 days after moving to register their vehicles in Texas.

01 Get appropriate vehicle insurance
02 Complete any applicable inspection requirements
03 Gather your title or out-of-state registration
04 Register through your county tax office
90
Then there's you

Get your Texas driver's license.

A new resident with a valid, unexpired eligible out-of-state license can generally drive in Texas for up to 90 days after moving.

When you're ready to transfer it, gather your identity, residency and other required documents and make your Texas DPS appointment.

Helpful order: Texas vehicle registration comes before the Texas driver's license for new residents who own vehicles.
Okay. Our department.

New state. New ZIP. New insurance conversation.

A move can change your home, commute, where your car sleeps at night and the risks around you. That can change both the coverage you need and what it costs.

Hey Charley is independent, which means we can help look across multiple insurance carriers instead of trying to make one company work for everybody.

LET CHARLEY TAKE A LOOK →
03
Home

Learn what your new home is exposed to.

Texas is enormous. Insurance concerns in Houston aren't necessarily the same as those in Dallas, Austin, El Paso or the Hill Country.

Wind, hail, hurricanes, flooding and severe storms can matter differently depending on where you've landed.

Don't assume: not every type of water or storm damage is automatically covered by a standard homeowners policy.
04
Homeowners

Look into your homestead exemption.

If you own a Texas home and use it as your principal residence, you may qualify for a residence homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value used by qualifying taxing units.

□ Confirm eligibility
□ Find your local appraisal district
□ Gather required documentation
□ Submit the application
05
Home base

Get the house running.

Electricity, water, internet, gas where applicable and trash. Depending on where you live in Texas, your electricity options can work differently than what you're used to.

□ Electricity
□ Water
□ Gas, if applicable
□ Internet
□ Trash + recycling
Texas priority: maybe don't leave the air conditioning until last.
06
Almost there

Move the rest of your life too.

Once the official stuff is handled, clean up all the accounts, records and people that still have your old address.

□ Doctors + pharmacy
□ Schools + childcare
□ Pet records
□ Subscriptions + deliveries
□ Emergency contacts
The unofficial checklist

Okay. Now go be a Texan.

You've done enough paperwork. Time for the considerably more important part.

□ Find your nearest H-E-B.
□ Develop a barbecue opinion.
□ Learn what a frontage road is.
□ Accept that “a short drive” is relative.
□ Figure out your Whataburger order.
□ Say “y'all” without thinking about it.
Welcome home

Texas looks good on you. Let's make sure you're covered.

New house. New apartment. New commute. New life. Tell Hey Charley where you landed and we'll help you look at your insurance options.

GET A TEXAS QUOTE →