Auto Insurance for Seasonal Drivers

Vehicles That May Not Qualify for Seasonal Insurance

Certain vehicles, such as those used for high-risk activities with high mileage or cars that are leased or financed, may not qualify for seasonal insurance. Vehicles used for commercial purposes may not be eligible for seasonal coverage either. Be sure to contact your insurance agent or company to determine if your car qualifies for seasonal coverage.

How Can I Adjust My Car Insurance Coverage When I Am Not Using My Car?

If your vehicle qualifies, you can adjust your insurance in several ways to reduce your insurance cost when your car is in storage or unused. When you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, you cannot make most of these modifications because your lender sets specific insurance requirements that you agree to when you finance or lease your car through them. You must maintain the required coverage levels to comply with your loan or lease. However, if your vehicle is paid off, you can speak with your insurer about utilizing one of these options:

Reduce your bodily injury liability and property damage liability limits

• You can only reduce these coverages if the car you are not using is the only vehicle on the policy. The liability coverage limits on your car insurance policy extend to all of the vehicles on your policy, so you cannot change the limits on just one car on the policy.

Remove all coverage on your vehicle except for comprehensive coverage.

• Some insurance companies will allow you to remove all coverage on your vehicle except for comprehensive coverage if the car is going to be stored in a locked enclosure for 30 days or more. This will maintain coverage for the car if it is damaged by fire, theft, vandalism, or weather while you are not using it. This is called a "comprehensive-only policy".

Make sure that you do not remove your car from your auto insurance policy altogether when you are not using it. Doing this will create a lapse in your insurance coverage and issues with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles because you are not complying with the requirements set by your state for insurance on a registered vehicle.

How to Take Advantage of Low Mileage Discounts on Your Seasonal Vehicle

If you only use your car a few months out of the year, your overall annual mileage will be substantially less than if you used the car full-time. Most car insurance companies offer low-mileage discounts. To qualify for a low-mileage discount with your insurer, you may need to provide them with odometer readings from your car throughout the year, insert a small device in your vehicle that tracks your mileage and reports back to the insurer, or download your insurance company's app on your phone so that the app can track how much you drive. The reduced mileage on a vehicle that is used seasonally can help you save money on your insurance premiums when you qualify for this discount.

Consider Pay-Per-Mile Insurance or Usage-Based Insurance

You can also consider a pay-per-mile insurance policy if you don't put a lot of mileage on your car or use it seasonally. This type of car insurance policy is for people like you, so your monthly premium is adjusted based on how much you drive. Like a traditional policy, you can purchase all of the coverage you need for your car. If you drive less than 10,000 miles annually, request a quote for this type of car insurance from your insurance agent or company.

Shopping for Seasonal Car Insurance

Compare quotes for different types of car insurance on your seasonal vehicle. You can speak to a local independent insurance agent directly with an insurance company or gather quotes from multiple insurance companies using an online rating tool such as A-MAX Insurance to find the best coverage at a price you can afford. Be sure to ask about what discounts you qualify for. Even on a car you don't use regularly, you can still benefit from discounts such as a bundling discount if you package your auto and homeowner's or renter's insurance together, billing discounts, and defensive driving discounts, among others.

Communicating with Your Insurance Provider

Open communication with your insurance provider is key, especially when you modify the coverage on your car when you are not using it. If you reduce your liability and property damage limits or remove all but comprehensive coverage on your vehicle while it's not in use, you must speak with your insurance company to adjust those coverages before you drive the car again. If you fail to do this, you will be driving the vehicle with reduced liability or no coverage if you are in an accident.

Seasonal Car Insurance FAQs

Q: Do all vehicles qualify for seasonal auto insurance coverage?

A: Certain vehicles, such as those used for high-risk activities with high mileage, those used for commercial purposes, or those leased or financed, may not qualify for seasonal insurance. You must speak with your insurance agent or insurance company to determine if your vehicle qualifies for seasonal coverage.

Q: Can I cancel my insurance policy during the months that I do not operate my vehicle?

A: No, you cannot cancel your insurance policy when you are not using your vehicle because you will violate the requirements your state has about insuring registered cars. You can, however, modify your insurance to reduce coverage on your vehicle when it is not in use if the car qualifies.