Can I keep my car in the garage without insurance?
Asked by: Zane Crooks | Last update: January 11, 2026Score: 5/5 (24 votes)
Do I need to insure a car I don't drive?
Even if you're temporarily not driving your car, the lender may insist that you carry a minimum amount of comprehensive and collision coverage, along with the minimum amount of state-required liability insurance.
How long can you leave your car in the garage?
Generally speaking, if a car sits without being driven for more than two weeks, technical difficulties may begin to surface. If you leave your car unattended for six months, you can inflict severe (and potentially irreparable) damage to your vehicle's engine.
Can I store a car without insurance?
There's no law requiring insurance coverage on a vehicle that isn't driven on public roads. But if the vehicle is vandalized, stolen or sustains damage in storage, you'll need to pay for repairs or replacement out of pocket.
Do I have to insure my garage?
All garages, whether attached or not, are covered by a homeowners insurance policy. However, since attached garages are considered part of a house's structure, it falls under Coverage A, whereas a detached garage falls under Coverage B.
Park Your Car Perfectly in Your Garage! - Smart Garage
How much does garage insurance cost?
Example Costs by Location
California: $2,500 – $3,500 due to risks like earthquakes and wildfires. Texas: $1,800 – $2,800, factoring in hurricane and flooding risks. Florida: $2,200 – $3,200, with premiums affected by hurricane threats. New York: $1,700 – $3,500, varying between urban and rural areas.
Do cars need to be kept in a garage?
When you need auto storage, the best place is a garage or other indoor space. Doing so will protect your car from wet weather, cold weather, and direct sunlight, which can cause paint and interior fabrics to fade. Storing a vehicle indoors also protects it from scratches and dings from other cars or passersby.
Can I pause my car insurance?
Depending on your state's rules and insurer, you may be able to pause your car insurance if you won't be driving for an extended period. If putting a pause on your car insurance isn't possible, you can reduce your coverages or cancel your policy for the time you don't need it.
How long can you store a car without driving it?
The time you can go without driving your vehicle depends on several factors, such as age, overall condition and where and how it is being stored. Generally speaking, letting your car sit unused for a few weeks or months is acceptable, but only if you prepare your vehicle in advance.
What happens if you leave your car on in the garage?
Even just a few minutes of running your car in the garage can expose your family to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Is it bad for a car to not be driven for 3 months?
Fuel Can Go Bad
And moisture leads to corrosion. Condensation can negatively impact engine oil as well. Also, fuel degrades after about 30 days. After several months, it's just bad, and you're better off siphoning it out.
How long can gas sit in a car?
How Long Does It Take for Gas to Go Bad? The length of time fuel will remain useable in your gas tank is dependent on the fuel type. Regular gasoline has a shelf life of three to six months, premium or high-octane fuel should last close to nine months, while diesel can last up to a year before it begins to degrade.
Can a car sit without insurance?
Do you need insurance for a car in storage? Legally, you don't need insurance coverage for a car that's not being driven and is in storage. However, if the vehicle gets stolen, vandalized, or damaged in an accident or weather-related event, you'll be responsible for any resulting expenses if you don't carry insurance.
How long can you go without car insurance?
It is a crime to drive almost anywhere without car insurance coverage, even for a minute or just down the street. So, how long can you be without car insurance? If you're driving, you can't. Anytime you get behind the wheel as a licensed driver, you need insurance coverage or you'll risk incurring major consequences.
Can I cancel car insurance if not driving?
If you don't plan on driving for an extended period, you might be able to cancel your insurance, but your state may also require you to cancel your registration and turn in your license plates. Or, if you are just storing your vehicle for a while, you may be able to opt for a comprehensive-only policy instead.
Is parked car insurance cheap?
The idea of storage coverage is to keep your vehicle parked in one place, ideally in a locked garage and off the street. Car storage insurance will drop your premium significantly — sometimes by as much as 80%.
Is it legal to store a car in a storage unit?
All vehicles placed in storage must have their wheels in proper working condition. Vehicles must be driven into the storage unit, not towed or stored on blocks. Vehicles must have current registration and proof of insurance. If any tags expire during storage, they should be renewed.
Does Geico let you pause car insurance?
Answer: When you need to put your car in storage and it won't be driven for an extended period, you may think about suspending your car insurance to save money. However, with companies like GEICO, suspending your insurance isn't an option, unless you're deployed on military service.
Is there a penalty for canceling car insurance?
At the same time, you might also be subject to a cancellation fee. Many companies don't charge such penalties, but with those that do, you can expect to pay a flat fee of under $100 or around 10% to 15% of the remaining policy premium.
Can you drop insurance anytime?
You can cancel your plan anytime if you purchased self-only or family coverage on the individual health insurance market.
Can I pause my car insurance if my car is totaled?
As long as the policy was active at the time of the accident (which it sounds like it was), you should be fine. Second, if your car is totaled, you can cancel your insurance if you are not getting another car in the near future.
Is it worth keeping a car in the garage?
Protection from the Elements
Parking your car in a garage shields it from the harsh elements so you'll avoid damage from: Rain: Prevents rust and water damage. Sunlight: Decreases paint and interior fading. Snow: Eliminates ice buildup and corrosion from road salt.
Can you leave car on in garage?
Carbon Monoxide is a highly toxic gas released when a car is started. Leaving a car running in the garage is extremely dangerous, and even sometimes fatal.
Is it better to keep a car in the garage or outside?
Keeping a car in a garage protects it from being damaged due to road traffic accidents, collisions, dangerous drivers, and antisocial behavior (like people smashing wing mirrors or keying paintwork). Plus, a garage protects the paintwork, wheels, windows, and other parts of the car from the elements.