What is car storage insurance?
- What it is: A modified auto policy that keeps comprehensive coverage while removing liability and collision.
- What it does: Protects your vehicle from theft, fire, and weather damage while off the road—at a fraction of the cost.
- When to use it: Ideal for cars parked long-term, stored seasonally, or sidelined temporarily to save on high gas and insurance costs.
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How does parked car insurance work?
Parked car insurance (alternatively called car storage insurance) is designed for cars that will stay parked for a while, ideally in a locked garage. It can dramatically reduce your premium, sometimes by up to 80%. It’s a great option for seasonal vehicles, cars undergoing repairs, or vehicles owned by deployed military members.
Instead of canceling your policy and risking a coverage lapse, switching to a comprehensive-only plan lets you keep your insurance history intact while the car isn’t in use. Just keep in mind that some states have specific rules about registration and insurance during storage.
- You must own the car outright— financed and leased vehicles must adhere to coverage restrictions set by your financial lender.
- The car must be stored on private property, like in a garage, driveway, or storage facility (not on a public street or apartment complex lot).
- Ideally, vehicles are stored for 30 days or more. It cannot be driven during this time.
What storage insurance covers
If your state and insurer allow you to reduce coverage to storage insurance only, the car will likely only be protected by comprehensive coverage.
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Damages from vandalism, theft, hail, or lightning
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Damage caused by animals
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Damage caused by weather
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Liability (bodily injury and property damage)
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Collision
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Roadside assistance
How to properly insure your car in storage: Step-by-step
Your insurance agent can help you change your coverage and navigate the unique challenges your state's regulations may pose.
Once you have confirmed you are able to proceed with lesser coverage for the season, fill out your state's required DMV forms. This may require suspending your registration or surrendering your plates. See our map on state-specific regulations for details.
To protect your car during long-term storage, start by cleaning it inside and out, servicing fluids, adding fuel stabilizer, and disconnecting the battery. Then help prevent mechanical issues by lubricating the cylinders, properly inflating the tires (or raising the vehicle), and releasing the parking brake. Finally, keep moisture and pests at bay by sealing openings and using a quality car cover or dehumidifier.
The car must be stored on private property, like in a personal garage, driveway, or car storage facility. At a facility, you may choose between outdoor, covered, or indoor options, with indoor offering the best physical coverage and security.
When you're ready to get your vehicle back on the road, contact your insurance company or agent to restore any coverages you previously removed. If your state required you to suspend the vehicle's registration or surrender your license plates while it was in storage, be sure to complete the necessary steps to reinstate the registration and return the vehicle to legal driving status.
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How much is car storage insurance?
The cost of car storage insurance is significantly less than a policy with liability coverage. Comprehensive insurance usually only amounts to about $20 per month per car, so you can expect rates to hover around this number. Your insurance agent will be able to tell you exact figures.
Major insurance companies like GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate will insure a car that's in storage with just comprehensive coverage. In fact, GEICO offers a Storage Protection Plan, which is geared towards military members set to serve overseas. However, drivers must call to request this coverage.
Your insurance declaration page will show exactly which coverages are applied to your vehicles and how much each one costs. If any of your vehicles have full coverage, look for the line item labeled "comprehensive." That amount can give you a good idea of what car storage insurance might cost. Here's what I (and other Zebra writers) pay for comprehensive coverage:
Progressive
- 2009 Mazda 3
- ~$10/mo with $500 deductible
Progressive
- 2021 Toyota Rav4
- ~$13/mo with $500 deductible
State Farm
- 2019 Hyundai Kona
- ~$16/mo with $500 deductible
State-by-state storage insurance restrictions
It's important that you check local laws before modifying your coverage. Many states legally require continuous liability insurance on any registered vehicle, even if it is parked. Additionally, your local DMV may require you to surrender your license plates before you can safely drop your active driving coverages.
Storing a car due to high gas prices?
In times of fuel cost surges, some multi-car households may consider storing a gas-guzzling SUV or truck in favor of a more fuel-efficient vehicle. If your truck is sitting idle because commuting in it is costly, paying full insurance premiums feels like a double financial hit. Temporarily storing the vehicle and dropping coverage can help you save while prices soar.
Final note: Keep a stored car insured
While it may be tempting to cancel coverage on a stored vehicle, doing so can leave your car unprotected from theft, weather damage, and other risks. It can also create a lapse in coverage, which may lead to higher insurance rates later. Keeping comprehensive coverage is often the simplest way to protect your vehicle and avoid both problems.
If your insurer doesn't offer car storage insurance, it may be a good time to compare quotes. Just keep in mind that this specialized coverage often requires a phone call to obtain, and some states have specific registration requirements if you remove mandatory liability coverage.
Car storage insurance FAQs:
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.
