Do I have to insure my car if I am not driving it?
Asked by: Larue Bosco | Last update: November 30, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (43 votes)
Do I need insurance on my car if I don't drive it?
If you are not driving your vehicle — because it's broken down, in storage or for another reason — you do not need insurance. However, you should inform your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before canceling your policy.
Can you pause car insurance if not driving?
Yes you can, with many, if not most insurance companies. If the car will be parked and unused for a period of time you can cancel the liability coverage and collision coverage while keeping your comprehensive fire and theft coverage in force which will maintain your auto policy...
Is it okay to let someone borrow your car?
Yes, lending the car to someone is legal, just make sure they have a valid license and is sober at the time when you give them possession of the car. There is no rule that says you have to be close when someone is using your car.
Do you need insurance if you have a license but don't drive?
There's no reason to have insurance coverage if you never drive. If you don't own a car, you aren't legally required to have an auto insurance policy. If you don't own but drive a borrowed car occasionally, purchasing insurance may not be necessary if the car's owner has adequate coverage.
Can I insure my car without driver's License?
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.
What insurance companies will insure an unlicensed driver?
Some insurance companies will cover you if you have a state-issued ID card. Popular car insurance companies like Commonwealth, Advantage Auto and Direct Auto will take a state-issued ID card and issue unlicensed drivers a policy.
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.
Whose insurance covers when you borrow a car?
Car insurance coverage follows the vehicle, not the driver. When you allow a friend, family member, or babysitter to borrow your vehicle, they also borrow your car insurance. Your insurance becomes the primary coverage when lending the car to family members or friends.
Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?
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 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.
Can I cancel my car insurance if I don't have a car?
If you will be driving in the future, but not in your own car, a non-owner policy may be the right choice for you. If, however, you will not be driving any more, you can cancel your policy outright, since you will not need coverage in the future.
Can I remove my son from my car insurance when he goes to college Progressive?
You can remove a listed driver from your car insurance policy if they no longer live with you and no longer drive your vehicle. If you have a child away at college or who moves out temporarily, it's a good idea to keep them on your policy. Doing so ensures that they can drive your vehicle during breaks.
Do I need insurance to drive my parents' car?
That means you're still covered when you drive your parents' vehicles. However, if you move out permanently, you'll typically need your own car insurance policy. Explore Progressive Answers' auto editorial guidelines to find out why you can trust the car insurance information you find here.
Will insurance cover an unregistered car?
Typically, yes, but coverage depends on various factors, including state regulations and the specifics of your policy. Knowing your state's registration and insurance laws is crucial, as they impact whether you can insure unregistered vehicles.
Can my son drive my car if he doesn't live with me?
If your son doesn't live with you but needs to borrow your car, he can do so with your permission. It is known as permissive use, which means that when someone who doesn't live with you gets permission to borrow your car, they are also “borrowing” your auto insurance coverage.
What happens if someone borrows my car and gets in an accident?
Vehicle Owners Are Liable Under California Law
This law holds a vehicle's owner responsible for collisions caused by the driver of the vehicle – even if the driver is not the owner. Liability is determined by identifying the actual owner of the vehicle.
Can I drive my boyfriend's car if I'm not on his insurance?
If you're specifically listed on the car owner's insurance policy, you'll be covered when driving that car – even if it's not your own. If you're not on the owner's policy, applicable coverage will again depend on consent.
Do I have to list other drivers on my insurance?
You should add any regular drivers of your car to your insurance policy so that damages from accidents are covered. Also, you can add any drivers that live at your permanent address, and most insurance companies will require it. Some states may allow you to exclude a driver from being covered by the policy.
What happens if your kid isn't on your car insurance?
If your child gets into an accident and isn't listed on your policy, your insurance company may not cover the damages, and there could be other consequences, like policy cancellation. This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate.
Will my car insurance go down if I remove a driver?
For example, if a driver has multiple accidents or violations on their motor vehicle report that negatively impact the cost of your insurance, excluding them from your policy could lower your car insurance rate. However, some states prohibit excluding anyone in your household who is of driving age.
What is considered an uninsured driver?
An uninsured motorist is someone without auto insurance. Chances are about one in seven drivers in the U.S. is uninsured, according to a 2011 estimate by the Insurance Research Council. Uninsured motorist coverage helps you pay for damages caused by a driver who doesn't have car insurance.
Do insurance companies pursue uninsured drivers?
If the at-fault party is uninsured, the insurer may pursue subrogation against the driver personally.
What insurance can I use without a license?
Get Parked Car Coverage
You can purchase car insurance coverage without a driver's license by opting for parked car coverage. This type of insurance, which is essentially a storage policy, assumes that drivers don't use their vehicle regularly, so the car is protected from damage that occurs when parked.
Do I need to insure a 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.