Do you have a classic car or “fun” car that doesn’t get used very often? If so, you’ve probably looked into storing it away for those periods when it’s not in use. Whether you’re headed out on a family vacation, or you’ll be out of town for an extended work trip, storing your car properly is a great idea. Comprehensive car insurance, this is one of the best ways to ensure that your prized vehicle is safe from the elements and the threat of vandalism or theft. Keep reading to learn more about storing your car long-term and what type of insurance considerations you’ll need to make.
Adjusting Your Car Insurance
You may have heard of the term “parked car insurance” before, but that term is a bit misleading. If you need to store your car for 30 days or more, you may want to talk to your agent about adjusting your coverage. More specifically, if you are definitely not going to be driving your vehicle for an extended period of time, you may want to remove the Collision Coverage on your policy. In other words, just carry Liability and Comprehensive coverage. This is also referred to sometimes as “Other than Collision” coverage. Comprehensive insurance will insure your car for things that could happen to your car while in storage such as:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Inclement weather
- Hail and/or lightning
Because you are modifying your coverage to only those coverages you need, you can expect a slight drop in your overall premium. In most every case, this is a much better option than dropping your car insurance coverage altogether. By maintaining insurance, you can avoid gaps in coverage that may lead to higher premiums down the road.
How to Prepare a Car for Storage
1. Choose a Storage Option
Storing a car properly in New York all depends on the time of year, how long you’ll be putting the car away for and the type of vehicle. Winter storage means your car needs to be in a garage or storage facility that offers protection from bad weather. Storing a vehicle outside, even if it is covered with a tarp, can result in rust and other issues.
2. Top It Off
The fluid levels in your car should all be topped off to avoid corrosion. Take the time to fill up the fuel tank and add a stabilizer, engine coolant and windshield washer fluid. Additionally, you should invest in an oil change, new oil filter and flush the brakes if needed.
3. Inflate the Tires
If a car will be sitting in storage for more than a couple of weeks, it can develop flat spots on the tires very easily. To avoid this, make sure to inflate your tires to the recommended pressure. You can also ask a friend or relative to take the time to drive the car for about 15-minutes once every few weeks to prevent flat-spotting and keep the battery charged.
4. Battery Considerations
Car batteries don’t typically do well in colder weather. If you are storing the car for a long period of time, you may want to remove the battery and store it way or connect it to a battery tender. Keeping the battery charged will help to ensure your car is ready to hit the road once you bring it out of hibernation.
5. Clean It Up
You should take the time to clean your car and detail it before putting it into storage. This is the best way to prevent dirt, debris, and salt from icy roads causing any issues with the paint and prevent corrosion.
Learn More with Skeele Agency Insurance
Putting away your car for the winter or during an extended vacation can be easy with the right insurance policy and a comprehensive maintenance checklist. For more information on the benefits of auto insurance during long-term storage, contact our independent agents and be sure to request a free quote today!