Can I take insurance off my car if I'm not driving it in South Carolina?

Asked by: Hayley Gislason  |  Last update: April 27, 2025
Score: 5/5 (23 votes)

Per the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, “If you have a South Carolina license plate on the vehicle then you must maintain insurance on the vehicle or you must turn the license plate into your local SC DMV office before removing insurance from the vehicle or you can be suspended and penalized for no ...

Can I cancel insurance on a car I don't drive?

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.

Do I need insurance on my car if I don't drive it?

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.

Does insurance follow the car or driver in SC?

Contrary to popular belief, car insurance typically follows the car — not the driver. If you let someone else drive your car and they get in an accident, your insurance company would likely be responsible for paying the claim, depending on the coverages in your policy.

Do I have to turn in my license plate when I cancel insurance in South Carolina?

Please do NOT cancel your insurance until AFTER you decommission / turn in your license plate. Even if you do not drive the vehicle, having an active plate without insurance is a fine of $5 per day!

Does My Car Need Insurance If I’m Not Driving It?

21 related questions found

What happens if you take insurance off a car?

Canceling your policy too soon means you may face legal repercussions, like hefty fines or having your license suspended. When you cancel, you'll have a lapse in coverage. This isn't a problem if you won't be driving.

Can I cancel insurance without returning plates?

Keeping your license plates while dropping your car insurance might seem like a harmless move, but it can lead to severe repercussions. In many places, retaining your plates without insurance can result in the suspension of your vehicle's registration or even your driver's license. Here's why this matters: 1.

What happens if you don't add a driver to your insurance?

A driver who lives in your household and isn't listed on your auto policy may be denied coverage if they borrow your vehicle and are involved in an accident. Family members who live in your household and drive your vehicle, including a teenager or your significant other, should be listed as drivers on your policy.

What happens if someone who isn't on your insurance crashes your car in SC?

If someone wrecks your car and they are not on your insurance, you may still be able to file a claim with your insurance company. This is because your insurance follows your car, not the driver. However, this rule is subject to change depending on the circumstances of your case.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Progressive?

If you give someone outside your household permission to drive and borrow your car (also referred to as "permissive use") and they aren't rated on your policy, any accident they're involved in may be covered by your insurer, depending on your state and insurer.

Can I take insurance off my car if I'm not driving it in Florida?

have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Surrender the license plate/tag BEFORE cancelling your insurance. purchase the policy from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida.

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.

Do I need insurance to drive my parents' car?

Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.

Can I take insurance off my car if I'm not driving it in PA?

Temporary Or Permanent Non Use Vehicles

In Pennsylvania, you can file an affidavit to the Department of Transportation to avoid having to carry insurance during this time if you are not operating your car on public roads. It's crucial to keep in mind that during this period, the car cannot be driven at all.

How long can you pause car insurance if not driving?

Typically, a motorist pauses their coverage because they won't be driving their car for a certain period, such as 30 days or more. Being able to pause your car insurance depends on your insurer, your state and your lender (if you're financing your car). Your insurer may not allow you to pause your auto insurance.

Can I take insurance off my car if I'm not driving it in Arizona?

If you will not be driving your vehicle in Arizona for an extended period (while it is in storage or not driveable), you may temporarily discontinue your Arizona insurance policy. If you discontinue your insurance, you must notify us that you are de-insuring.

Does car insurance follow the vehicle or the driver?

The Insurance Policy Follows the Car and Not the Driver

Under California law, in most instances, the insurance policy attaches to the car itself. If someone was driving your car, it would be your insurance policy that paid for the damages. However, that does not mean that you should assume that the driver is covered.

How does insurance work if someone crashes your car?

Your own insurance company's collision coverage would kick in and cover the damages up to your policy limit if they were the one to cause the crash. Even though you gave permission for them to use your own vehicle, you will face potential consequences, such as increased car insurance rates and insurance costs.

What happens if someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance in PA?

If that driver crashes your car without your permission to drive it, your insurance company likely won't pay for the damages—especially if the driver wasn't named on your policy. In this case, you should file a claim with the driver's insurer.

Will my car insurance go down if I remove a driver?

If the driver has a history of insurance claims and accidents removing them from your policy may reduce your rate. On the other hand, your rate could go up if the driver has no history of claims, accidents, or traffic violations.

Is it okay to let someone borrow your car?

If they have a current license, a clean record, and a valid insurance policy, you may feel more comfortable lending them your car. Consider the circumstances. Is your friend impaired in any way or unfit to drive? If the answer is “yes,” then your answer to them should be a resounding “no.”

Can my husband drive my car if he is not on my insurance?

Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.

Can I take insurance off my car if I'm not driving it in Virginia?

Cancelling insurance without surrendering or deactivating your plates could result in serious penalties. There are many instances where someone might want to cancel insurance on a vehicle that has active Virginia license plates. The owner is no longer driving due to health issues, travel, etc.

What happens if you don't turn in your tag in SC?

If you sell your vehicle or let your insurance lapse, you must return your plate to SCDMV immediately or face fines up to $400.00.

Do I have to turn in my license plate when I cancel insurance in NC?

Canceling insurance before returning the license plate will result in a fine for failure to maintain continuous insurance coverage.