Best Parked Car Insurance in 2024 (Your Guide to the Top 10 Companies)

If you have a car in storage, State Farm, USAA, and Progressive have the best parked car insurance.

By understanding the risks of storing your vehicle and ensuring you have the right coverage to protect it from the best companies for parked car insurance, you can protect yourself financially — and make sure you have a car to drive when you get back into town.

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Best Parked Car Insurance

Read on to learn more about insuring a stored vehicle, including whether your parked vehicle needs to be insured, whether you can suspend your car insurance for a month, and how much you should expect to pay for car storage insurance. You can also compare quotes for parked car insurance by entering your ZIP code into our free tool. 

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#1 – State Farm: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Agency Network: Speak directly to an agent to get help with parked car insurance.
• Financial Stability: Rest assured that State Farm is financially able to pay off any claims you file on your parked car.
• Coverage Options: You can put tailored coverages on your parked car.

Cons

• Discount Availability: Some of State Farm’s discounts aren’t in every state.
• Credit Rates: State Farm charges drivers with poor credit more in some areas. Learn more in our State Farm auto insurance review.

#2 – USAA: Best for Military Drivers

Pros

• Military Drivers: USAA is great for military drivers, as it offers cheap rates and discounts outside of auto insurance.
• Deployment Storage Rates: USAA offers coverage specifically for cars in storage when military members are deployed.
• Customer Service: Customers have mostly positive reviews about customer service at USAA.

Cons

• Limited Eligibility: USAA is only sold to military and veterans. Learn more in our USAA review.
• Primarily Online Services: USAA doesn’t offer many physical locations or local agents.

#3 – Progressive: Best for Online Management

Pros

• Online Management: Manage your parked car insurance policy easily online. Read more in our Progressive auto insurance review.
• Flexible Coverage: You can easily reduce your coverage to a Progressive vehicle storage insurance policy if your car goes into storage.
• UBI Discount: If you choose to take your car out of storage, you can save by participating in a UBI program.

Cons

• Discount Amounts: Progressive’s discounts may not help some customers save as much, depending on location.
• Customer Claims: According to some customers, claims processing can be hit or miss at Progressive.

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#4 – Allstate: Best for Pay-Per-Mile Rates

Pros

• Pay-Per-Mile Rates: If you take your car out of storage to drive occasionally, you may want pay-per-mile insurance.
• UBI Discounts: If you don’t want pay-per-mile insurance, you can still earn a discount based on your driving habits.
• Deductible Decreases: Drivers can save up to $500 on a deductible if they don’t file claims.

Cons

• Higher Rates For Some: High-risk demographics, such as drivers with DUIs, will have expensive rates.
• Claim Processing: Allstate’s claims processing reviews can be hit or miss. Read about Allstate’s ratings in our Allstate review.

#5 – The Hartford: Best for Exclusive Benefits

Pros

• Exclusive Benefits: The Hartford offers exclusive benefits to AARP members. Find out more in our review of The Hartford.
• Bundling Options: You can buy more than just auto insurance from The Hartford.
• Customer Service: The Hartford has earned good ratings.

Cons

• Young Driver Rates: The Hartford’s rates aren’t as competitive for young drivers.
• Limited Digital Tools: The Hartford’s online services may not be as detailed as other companies.

#6 – Geico: Best for Federal Discounts

Pros

• Federal Discounts: Geico offers discounts to federal employees on Geico storage insurance.
• Competitive Rates: Geico’s rates are competitive for parked vehicle insurance. Our Geico review provides more rate information.
• Financial Stability: Rest easy knowing your car storage insurance is backed by a financially strong company. 

Cons

• Discount Availability: Geico has plenty of discounts, but some may not be available where you live.
• Customer Service: Geico’s customer service isn’t as personalized due to fewer local agents.

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#7 – Travelers: Best for Unique Coverage

Pros

• Unique Coverage: You can choose unique coverage options for your parked vehicle policy. Read our Travelers review to learn more about its coverage.
• Online Management: You can make changes to your vehicle storage insurance online.
• UBI Discount: If you take your car out of storage to drive, you may be able to get a discount with Travelers’ UBI program.

Cons

• Young Driver Rates: Young drivers who are buying their own policies will find Travelers’ rates expensive.
• UBI Rate Increases: Travelers may actually increase rates for bad drivers rather than giving a discount.

#8 – Nationwide: Best for Deductible Options

Pros

• Deductible Options: You can choose from several deductibles for your parked car insurance policy.
• Discount Options: Most drivers will qualify for several discounts. Read our Nationwide review for discount information.
• Pay-Per-Mile Insurance: If you occasionally drive your parked car, you may want pay-per-mile insurance.

Cons

• Availability: Three states don’t carry insurance.
• DUI Rates: DUI rates at Nationwide are expensive.

#9 – Erie: Best for Personalized Policies

Pros

• Personalized Policies: You can adjust your coverages for your parked car policy.
• Personalized Service: Local agents offer personalized assistance. Learn more about Erie’s customer service in our Erie review.
• Competitive Rates: Erie’s rates for storage insurance for cars are competitive.

Cons

• Availability: Only a few select states carry Erie insurance.
• Discount Availability: Some discounts may not be offered in every state.

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#10 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Teachers & Students

Pros

• Teachers and Students: Liberty Mutual has discounts for teachers and students. Learn about its other discounts in our Liberty Mutual review.
• 24/7 Support: Get help at any hour from a Liberty Mutual representative.
• Discount Options: Most drivers will be able to get at least a few discounts on their parked car insurance.

Cons

• Rates for Violations: Liberty Mutual’s rates aren’t cheap for bad driving records.
• Claim Ratings: There are some complaints about claims processing.

How Car Storage Insurance Works

Technically, “car storage insurance” isn’t insurance coverage offered by insurance providers. Instead, the term refers to removing non-essential insurance coverage on a vehicle that will remain undriven and parked or stored for an extended period.

Even if you plan to park your undriven vehicle away from public roads in a garage or other private location, it is advisable to carry a minimum amount of insurance on your stored vehicle. 

It’s important to remember that reducing your insurance coverage can be risky. Before making changes to your policy, talk to your insurance agent about which types of auto insurance coverage you should maintain for a vehicle you aren’t using to limit potential liabilities. If you decide to remove some coverage from your vehicle’s existing insurance policy after putting it in storage, remember to revert to your previous policy’s coverage before driving it.

Comprehensive-Only Insurance Coverage For Parked Cars

Although legally required insurance minimums vary by location, insurers often refer to the minimum coverage for a stored vehicle as “comprehensive-only coverage.” What does parked car insurance cover? This type of coverage, also called “parked car insurance” or “car storage insurance,” covers repair or replacement costs while your car is stored or parked for a minimum amount of time, such as 30 days or more.

Although comprehensive auto insurance benefits vary by insurer, examples of damages typically covered by comprehensive-only insurance (after deductible) include the following:

• Your stored vehicle is stolen in the middle of the night.
• A natural disaster, such as an earthquake, damages your vehicle while in storage.
• The garage your vehicle is being stored in for the winter catches fire and damages the car.
• The exterior of a vehicle stored in your backyard is damaged by large hail.
• A tree falls on your vehicle while it’s parked in storage.

Although comprehensive-only coverage has benefits like lower premiums and preventing gaps in insurance coverage, there can be challenges associated with obtaining it, depending on your situation. For example, many states don’t allow drivers to carry comprehensive-only coverage on their vehicles.

If your vehicle is financed, your lender might also require you to carry full coverage insurance until your loan is paid off.

It’s also important to remember that you should avoid driving your vehicle while it’s insured with comprehensive-only coverage, even if you’re only traveling a short distance. This is because comprehensive-only coverage doesn’t include liability insurance, collision insurance, or uninsured motorist coverage, so you won’t be insured if you’re in an accident or cause damage to someone’s property while driving.

Parked Car Accidents

What happens if someone hits your parked car? When an unstored and fully-insured car is hit by another driver while parked, the owner will handle it like a normal insurance claim. Comprehensive-only coverage, however, might not cover repair costs if your stored vehicle is hit while parked.

Read more: Hitting a Parked Car, Auto Insurance Implications

Because keeping your stored vehicle off the road is usually a stipulation of car storage insurance, comprehensive-only coverage doesn’t include liability, collision, or uninsured motorist coverage. Since drivers aren’t legally permitted to park their vehicles on public roads without liability insurance, comprehensive-only coverage likely wouldn’t pay for the damages caused by another driver hitting your parked vehicle. However, if the other driver is insured, it might be possible to file a claim for damages under their liability property damage coverage.

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How to Get Insurance for a Stored Car

Most insurance companies allow policyholders to change their auto insurance policies at any time during their coverage period, except when a natural disaster is anticipated. Because reducing your insurance coverage can involve financial and other risks, check with your insurance agent to learn about coverage options for insuring a stored vehicle before making any changes to your policy. 

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates for Parked Cars by Coverage Level & Provider

It’s also a good idea to check with your state’s motor vehicles department to find out about the minimum insurance requirements in your state before reducing your insurance coverage. You can also shop for discounts at the best companies to try and reduce your rates. 

Finally, if you financed your vehicle, remember to check with your lender about your auto loan insurance requirements before changing your existing policy or purchasing insurance for your stored vehicle. It’s recommended that all vehicles remain insured even if they’re not regularly driven.

If your vehicle is registered with your state and parked on a public road, you must likely carry a minimum amount of insurance under state law. Beyond legal requirements, events like fire, vandalism, theft, bad weather, and natural disasters can occur anytime — leaving you on the hook to pay for losses and repairs out-of-pocket if your vehicle isn’t insured. 

Canceling Insurance for Cars in Storage

Drivers planning to store their car or truck probably wonder, “Can I have a car parked without insurance?” Although it might be tempting to cancel your car insurance if you know you won’t be driving it for an extended period, canceling your policy is not recommended. In addition to potentially violating state laws and having to pay out-of-pocket for repairs, canceling your car insurance while your vehicle is in storage can also create issues when it comes to buying insurance in the future, including:

• Insurance Coverage Gaps: Because insurance companies view lapses in your insurance coverage history as high-risk, your insurance premiums could increase if you cancel insurance coverage after storing your vehicle, as you can’t prove you weren’t driving without insurance. 
• Potential Policy Violations: Depending on your policy, canceling your insurance coverage might violate your insurer’s policies. If you financed your vehicle, your lender might also require that you continue to insure your vehicle until the loan is paid off fully.

While saving money on car insurance while your vehicle is in storage is possible, canceling your policy isn’t the smartest — or safest — way to do it. Instead, stored vehicle owners should consider carrying at least comprehensive coverage and get quotes from companies like State Farm to ensure they get the best deal. 

By ensuring that the minimum essential coverage covers your stored car, you can protect yourself financially while avoiding gaps in your auto insurance history that can increase your future premiums.

Who Should Buy Parking Insurance

When you aren’t planning to drive your vehicle for a long time, it can be tempting to cancel your auto insurance coverage. You may wonder, “Is it possible to pause car insurance?” What happens if your car is damaged or stolen while it’s stored? Whether you’re going on an extended vacation or being deployed by the military to a location where you can’t take your vehicle, knowing how to insure your stored car or truck is important properly.

If you drive your vehicle frequently or leave it in the garage for the weekend, parked car insurance probably isn’t the best option for you. However, suppose you’re planning to store your vehicle for an extended period without driving it. In that case, car storage insurance could save money while ensuring that your parked vehicle remains protected. A few examples of vehicle owners that might benefit from car storage insurance include:

• People living abroad for extended durations who intend to leave their vehicles at home in the U.S.
• Members of the military who will be deployed to locations where they cannot bring their vehicles (read more: Best Auto Insurance for Military Families and Veterans). 
• Someone who inherited a vehicle they don’t plan to drive but aren’t ready to sell.
• A driver with a hobby vehicle or summer car that will be stored for the winter.
• Any car owner planning to store their undriven vehicle for extended durations of time.

Because reducing your car insurance coverage can have risks, it’s important to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of car storage insurance. Before making any changes to your current policy, speak with an insurance agent to understand your options.

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Car Storage Insurance: The Lowdown

If you’re planning to park your vehicle for an extended period, you might be able to save money on your car storage insurance with garaging and storing auto insurance discounts. By maintaining at least comprehensive-only coverage on your stored vehicle, you can reduce your monthly insurance payments while protecting yourself financially and remaining compliant with state laws and your insurer’s coverage policies.

However, reducing your car insurance to comprehensive-only coverage can have risks, so it’s important to speak with your insurance agent or provider before making any changes to your existing policy.

Now that you know the answer to what does storage car insurance cover, shop around for quotes to get the best deal on storage insurance. Compare rates now with our free tool.

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