Moving is the single best trigger for a subscription audit. A complete checklist of what to cancel outright, what to transfer, and the ones most people forget about until they see the charge.
Some subscriptions are tied to your physical location and either won't transfer or are better canceled and restarted. These should be canceled before your move date:
Internet and cable service. Your current provider likely doesn't serve your new address. Call to cancel at least 2 weeks before your move date - many providers require written notice and have a return equipment process that takes time. If you cancel on move day, you may face additional billing. ISPs are notorious for charging for service periods after the cancellation date.
Home security monitoring. ADT, Vivint, Brinks, and SimpliSafe all handle moves differently. ADT and Vivint typically hold you to the remaining contract term - you may be able to transfer service to the new address, but you're not released from your contract just because you're moving. SimpliSafe and Cove have no long-term contracts and cancel anytime - simply cancel and set up new equipment at the new address.
Nest Aware / Ring Protect. These are camera monitoring plans tied to specific hardware at your current address. If you're taking your cameras with you, the subscription transfers automatically. If you're leaving the cameras (in a house you're selling, for example), cancel the subscription - the new owners would need their own account.
Local gym memberships. A Gold's Gym membership in your current city won't transfer to a Gold's Gym in another city - these are usually locally-owned franchises with separate membership structures. Cancel the current membership and sign up fresh at the new location.
Some subscription services look like they need to be canceled but are actually better transferred or updated in place. Canceling and restarting often means losing your history, preferences, or promotional pricing:
Streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify - these are account-based, not location-based. No action needed. Your account follows you.
Amazon Prime. No action needed. Update your default shipping address in your Amazon account settings - that's it.
Car insurance. Don't cancel - update. Call your insurer and update your garaging address. Your rate will likely change (sometimes significantly, depending on the new location's risk profile). This is also a good moment to shop competing quotes.
Renters or homeowners insurance. Cancel your current policy effective on your move-out date and start a new policy for the new address on your move-in date. Don't let either lapse - the gap period leaves you uninsured. If you use Lemonade, State Farm, or another insurer, they typically make this easy through their app.
Meal kit services. HelloFresh, EveryPlate, and most meal kits deliver nationally - update your delivery address in account settings. If you're moving internationally, cancel.
Beyond Amazon and your bank, a surprising number of subscription services store your address and will mail physical items, invoices, or renewal notices to the wrong place if you don't update:
The 2–4 weeks around a move are often chaotic. Consider pausing rather than canceling services you'll want back shortly:
These are the subscriptions that generate surprise charges months after a move because they were tied to the old location or old payment method and nobody thought to update them:
AAA membership. If your breakdown coverage is region-specific, verify it covers your new area. Most AAA plans have national coverage, but some regional clubs have different terms.
YMCA / community center memberships. These are locally operated and generally don't transfer. Cancel the old one; join a new one.
Local newspaper digital subscriptions. If you had a local paper subscription for your current city, decide whether it's still relevant from the new location.
Costco / Sam's Club. Memberships are national, but your nearest warehouse changes. Worth checking the distance before renewing.
Storage unit. If you rented a storage unit during the move, cancel it once it's emptied - month-to-month storage charges are easy to forget.
Children's activity subscriptions. Tutoring services, extracurricular apps, and class subscriptions tied to local providers need to be updated or canceled.
| Service type | Action | When |
|---|---|---|
| Internet / cable | Cancel with 2-week notice | 2 weeks before move |
| Home security | Cancel or transfer (check contract) | 1 month before move |
| Gym membership | Cancel - restart at new location | Before move date |
| Meal kit deliveries | Pause or update address | Before next cutoff |
| Subscription boxes | Update address before next shipment | Immediately |
| Car insurance | Update garaging address | On move date |
| Renters/homeowners insurance | Cancel old, start new | Aligned with move dates |
| Streaming services | No action needed | N/A |
| Amazon Prime | Update default address | Before first order |
| USPS mail forwarding | Set up forwarding | Before move date |
| Credit cards / bank | Update address | Immediately after move |
| Voter registration | Re-register at new address | Check state deadline |
Being charged by your old internet or cable provider after you moved? Generate a dispute letter with your move-out date and cancellation request details to send to your bank.
Get a dispute letter →