What to Do With Your Car Insurance and Registration While It’s Stored
When you secure indoor vehicle storage at Gateway North Storage, you are making a smart choice for your car’s safety. But what about the paperwork? People often wonder if they can pause their insurance or let their registration lapse while the vehicle is resting in a secure storage unit. This guide will clarify the necessary steps to take, ensuring you save money and stay compliant with state laws.
Understanding Comprehensive Only Car Insurance
For most vehicles in long-term storage unit arrangements, maintaining full coverage can feel like an unnecessary expense. The smarter move is to switch your policy to comprehensive-only coverage. This specific coverage protects your vehicle against non-driving events, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or damage while it’s parked securely within our Firestone storage facility.
The Process of Notifying Your State’s DMV/DOI
Before altering your insurance or registration, it is crucial to understand your state's specific laws. Every state has different requirements regarding stored vehicles and minimum liability insurance. Some states allow you to file an Affidavit of Non-Use or similar document to legally suspend registration. By taking this important official step, you ensure full compliance and avoid any potential fines or penalties once you decide to take the vehicle back out on the road.
Managing Vehicle Registration During Extended Storage
Allowing your vehicle registration to expire while it's in an indoor vehicle storage unit can be beneficial, but it requires careful planning. You must confirm that your state allows a lapse without penalty when the car is not being operated. When the time comes to re-register the vehicle, you may need to prove continuous insurance coverage or pay reinstatement fees.
Proactive Steps Before Reactivating Your Vehicle
Before removing your car from its storage unit, you must reactivate full insurance and current registration. Make sure you contact your insurance agent well ahead of time to restore your policy to full coverage before leaving the premises. Additionally, confirm your registration is active and the vehicle is road-ready to avoid legal issues, making your transition back to driving seamless and fully compliant.
The peace of mind that comes with knowing your car is protected in secure indoor vehicle storage is invaluable. Managing the administrative side, like insurance and registration, is equally important. By following these four steps, you can save money while ensuring legal compliance. Ready to free up space and protect your investment? Contact Gateway North Storage today!