If you are planning to store your vehicle, perhaps for the winter months or long-term, there are a few things you need to know. Preparing your vehicle for storage, choosing a good facility, and checking with your insurance agent are all good ideas.
Preparing Your Car
A good place to start is with prep for the car itself. It’s best to have a mechanic look it over, especially if it is a valuable collector car. You want to take certain steps to ensure extended storage doesn’t harm either the body, interior, or your engine. Be sure to check the fluids, consider adding a gas stabilizing solution such as Sta-Bil to the fuel, and remove the battery. Store the battery away from the car but off the ground. To protect your interior and wiring, consider mothballs or other deterrents.
Finding the Ideal Location for Storage
Your next step is to find the right storage location. If you plan to store it at home, be sure to make the location safe. It should be climate controlled, as you don’t want the Wisconsin freeze to damage the car. You also want to be sure it is pest-free. Be sure to cover the vehicle in storage to protect its paint as well. At-home storage is a good thing for those who need just short-term options. This may include:
- You won’t be driving the car during the winter months.
- You have a college student who isn’t using the car for the balance of the school year.
- You have an ill or elderly parent that is no longer driving.
Another option is a full-service storage facility. This is a good option for long-term storage. But, not all locations are the same. Look for one that’s climate controlled – which is very important for motorcycles and classic vehicles. You also need a location that’s pest-free. And, get to know the security at the location. What type of protection is there? Use long-term storage options for:
- Very valuable vehicle storage, such as for sports cars, high-valued cars, and collector’s vehicles
- RVs and other large vehicles
- Motorcycles you want to protect fully from the weather
Checking with Your Insurance Agent
Vehicles still require insurance when in storage, the type and amount depend on your situation. Remember, your vehicle is valuable, and you want to be sure it is safe. If a fire, theft, or vandalism event occurs, having comprehensive insurance provides the coverage that you will need to recover.
Some people consider removing collision coverage when they have a car in storage. If the vehicle is not on the road, and not being moved around, you may not need it. But, if you move your car around your storage space, or take it out for a day when the weather permits, you may want to think twice. And finally, if your vehicle has a loan or is under a lease, your agreement requires you to maintain this type of insurance in most cases.
When the time comes to take the car out of storage; let our team at Thiel Insurance Group know of your plans in advance. Your agent will get the coverage back in place so you are not at risk when you are out enjoying the open road. And finally, you also want to be sure your car is in good working order before removing it.
If you have further questions about insurance considerations for a car or other vehicle in storage, contact any of us at Thiel Insurance Group.
