Is it time to store your vehicle for a bit? During the winter months, many people stick closer to home, meaning their recreational vehicle needs to be parked for a bit. In other cases, you may have a child going off to college or a senior that no longer drives any longer. In these situations, vehicle storage is an option to keep the vehicle safe and protect its value. But, it’s important to understand the auto insurance differences for stored vehicles. At Jarosch Insurance, our insurance agents are here to help you make the best decisions to protect your asset.
Planning to Store Your Vehicle
If you are planning to store your vehicle, you’ll need to consider all of your options. Putting a tarp over it and locking it into the garage is one option. If the garage is secure and protected from the elements, this could be a good option. For long-term storage, though, such as for seniors who may no longer be driving their car or for those collector’s cars, a rental storage facility could be a better option. Consider those that are temperature controlled and pest free. This adds a bit more cost to the storage, but it also keeps your vehicle safe longer.
What to Know About Auto Insurance
A stored vehicle is still a valuable asset requiring insurance. Legally, you do not have to maintain insurance if the vehicle is not being driven. You will have to maintain insurance if you have a loan on the car, though. Nearly all auto lenders require drivers to maintain full coverage on their vehicle. This usually includes comprehensive coverage and collision insurance. It’s their way to protect their investment.
But, what if you own the car outright?
If you do not plan to drive it for some time, it could save you a bit of money to reduce the types of coverage you have. Here’s a closer look at your options:
- General liability insurance may not be necessary as long as the car never hits the road.
- Collision insurance may not be necessary, again, as long as you do not drive or move it.
- Comprehensive insurance is still very valuable and should be maintained by nearly all drivers.
Comprehensive insurance helps cover your vehicle from risks such as vandalism, fires, and storms. Even within a building, accidents can occur, damaging the value of your vehicle. This provides an effective solution for you.
How to Prep Your Car
When putting your vehicle in storage, be sure it is in the best condition it can be first. This means checking the fluids as well as the main systems. Be sure it is as clean as possible. Motorcycles, RVs, vehicles, and any other type of valuable assets like this should be stored in a dry area, but these vehicles still benefit from ensuring they are properly stored. Your mechanic may recommend unplugging the battery to keep it from draining, too. You may also benefit from adding Sta-Bil to your gas to keep it stabilized and safe.
Then, when the time comes to take your car out of storage, there are a few things to keep in mind. Never drive it unless you have insurance back in place. It takes just one call to Jarosch Insurance to handle this. We can get the coverage in place in a matter of minutes in some cases.
You’ll also want to give your vehicle a once-over to ensure it is safe to drive. If not, have it towed to a mechanic for a full update before you get it on the road.
