The top 10 cities people are moving into

For many Americans across the country, moving is a part of theirDNA. When opportunity knocks, it often means relocating — whetherit be for higher education, jobs or to be closer to family. And inmost parts of the country, moving season peaks in summermonths.

For insurance agents and brokers, knowing which cities peopleare moving into can provide them with pertinent information fortheir clients' insurance needs.

U-HaulInternational, the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving andself-storage, has tracked migration trends for years, in large partbecause of its expansive network over all 50 states. U-Hauldestination cities are ranked according to the total number ofarriving one-way U-Haul truck rentals to a city in the pastcalendar year.

Moving your risk around

Jim Kane, senior vice president and practice leader for personalrisk for USIInsurance Services, says there are risks with D-I-Y moving, forexample, damage to the vehicle as well as the contents inside. It'salso easy to forget that operating a truck is nothing like drivingyour car. “Consider the impact of operating a vehicle the driver doesn't own,”said Kane. You may have trouble operating the lights or windshieldwipers, for instance. Find out from your auto insurance what kindof coverage you need to drive the rental truck, and whether thesize of the truck makes a difference.

Don't forget the risk of injury for people wrestling with heavyboxes or awkward furniture. If you're moving out of state, confirmthat your health insurance will cover you in case you're hurtwhile dealing with your property.

Even if you hire a mover, you're not entirely in the clear.Although third-parties offer insurance coverage, it's generallyinsufficient if damage occurs. And the mover's liability is evenmore limited if you packed your own property.

With these considerations in mind, here are the top destinationcities from 2016, according to U-Haul International.

Charlotte, NC

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10. Charlotte, North Carolina

As the largest city in the state of North Carolina, Charlotte ishome to the corporate headquarters of Bank ofAmerica and Wells Fargo's online customer service branch.Notable sports attractions include the Carolina Panthers of theNational FootballLeague (NFL) and the Charlotte Hornets of the National BasketballAssociation (NBA).

Kansas City, MO

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9. Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri and the sixthlargest city in the Midwest. It's particularly known for itscuisine — including its distinctive style ofbarbecue — and its craft breweries.

Like many areas in the Midwest, a car is a necessity in andaround the city. In 2015, residents of Kansas City had an averagetravel time around 20 minutes; around 84% drove alone, with nearly9% carpooling. If you're moving to Kansas City soon, prepare to useyour car more than you might be used to. The best way to prepare isto have your car inspected and reach out to an agent that canrecommend that best coverage for you.

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8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The City of Brotherly Love has come a long way since America'sindependence from Britain. The area's many universities andcolleges make Philadelphia a top international studydestination.

Looking for a compatible insurance in Philadelphia shouldn't betoo hard — it's the birthplace of America's first insurancecarrier. Founded in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin, The PhiladelphiaContributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss byFire, a mutual insurance company, first focused on fire preventionin the brick-and-stone city of about 15,000 people and eightvolunteer fire companies.

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7. Brooklyn, New York

New Yorkers are too familiar with living on top of each other —and Brooklyn is no exception. As a premiere destination forhipsters, Brooklyn has felt its landscape change as gentrificationcontinually alters its neighborhoods.

Moving to Brooklyn comes with plenty of risks. New York's subwaysystem, old and decrepit as it is, is a major concern forresidents. A growing number incidents — train delays, trackderailment — have cost workers their jobs. The influx ofresidents to Brooklyn has also increased the cost of living, amajor factor to consider before relocating.

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6. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is known across the globe as a major hub of gambling,shopping, entertainment and nightlife. Self-styled as “TheEntertainment Capital of the World,” it's soon to become the homeof the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders, who are scheduled torelocate from Oakland, Calif. after the 2018 season.

One major underlying risk to consider in Vegas is the weather.The temperature easily surpasses 100 degrees, and it will affectresidents in various ways. Many homes leave their air conditioningrunning throughout the day, and a power failure is the last thingyou can afford as the afternoon heat peaks. Backup generators offera temporary solution, but reaching out to your agent is your bestbet.

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5. Austin, Texas

Although many perceptions about Texas have persisted throughoutthe years, the city of Austin stands apart from many areas of thestate. Known for its diverse population, it is considered a liberalcity in a conservative state. A number of Fortune 500 companieshave headquarters or regional offices in Austin, including Googleand Whole Foods Market.

The state is no stranger to extreme weather. Active tornadosoften hit the Texas area and could set new residents backfinancially if they're affected. If you're moving to Austin, youshould contact local insurance agents and discuss what coverage isbest for you.

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4. Orlando Florida

Built on the success of Walt DisneyWorld, Orlando has blossomed into a classic touristdestination. The city is one of the busiest U.S. cities forconferences and conventions. Orlando also is home to the University of CentralFlorida, which is the largest university campus in the U.S. interms of enrollment as of 2015.

Florida is often cited as a risky place to live. Residents faceextreme weather, such as hurricanes and flooding, and will want totake that consideration when they relocate. Residents shouldcarefully inspect their property & casualty coverage andactively pursue the best flood coverage for them.

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3. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio's roots are tied to the military, and it continuesto have a large military presence. Fort Sam Houston acts as theheadquarters for the U.S. Army Medical Command as well as the homeof the Fifth Army. It was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in1836, and is now a museum in the Alamo Plaza HistoricDistrict.

The United States Automobile Association (USAA),founded by 25 Army officers in 1922, is headquartered in SanAntonio and is known for its association with military members andtheir families.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

2. Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City continues to sweep new residents to its bustlingcity; it was the number two U-Haul destination city in 2015.Notable landmarks include the Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park, among others.

Chicago is home to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, whichoffers a multitude of insurance services for new residents lookingto protect their assets.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

1. Houston, Texas

Houston remains the number one U-Haul U.S. destination cityfor the eighth year in a row. AlthoughHouston witnessed a 3.4% decline in 2016 arrivalscompared to 2015, it continued to be the busiest domestic marketfor incoming U-Haul trucks.

“Houston is the country's No. 1 job creator,”said Gabriel Mendieta, U-Haul Company of EastHouston president. “This city is home to 24 Fortune 500companies. The cost of living is low, and with low taxes, yourpaycheck goes further.”

As the number one destination for the eighth year in a row,residents new and old alike should consider that their roads willgrow in traffic and congestion. Contact your insurance agent andcheck that your auto coverage is prepared to cover you if you findyourself in an accident.

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