Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car?

Do you have to keep insurance on a car you’re not driving? Many people have a vehicle they use to drive to work, school, and handle daily errands. These cars have to be insured at all times to meet state minimum auto insurance requirements.

But do you need insurance on a car you don’t drive? If your vehicle is registered in your state, then you need insurance for a car that is not used. Depending on your provider, you have options to suspend car insurance while traveling abroad or buy temporary insurance for part-time vehicles. 

Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car? Keep reading to learn how to buy auto insurance for a car you don’t drive.

Getting Auto Insurance for an Unused Car

Do you need car insurance? While a car that isn’t being driven doesn’t have to be actively covered by insurance as long as it’s on private property, it’s in your best interests to keep your policy active.

Even if you own an old clunker that you plan to pass on to your kids someday, or have a collector car that sits in your garage away from the elements, you should make sure that you’re properly insuring a car that is not being driven regularly.

Can I drop insurance on a car I don’t drive? You can, but having a lapse in coverage can increase your rates dramatically when you do decide to purchase insurance again. You can also face severe consequences if you take your stored vehicle out for a spin without an active policy. 

If you want to remove car insurance when not driving, check with your state’s DMV to find out what you need to do. You may need to surrender your plates or register the car as non-operational to avoid buying insurance for a car that is off the road.

Suspending Auto Insurance

Do I need to insure a car I don’t drive? If you’re heading off to college or traveling abroad for an extended period of time, you may be asking yourself, “Can I cancel insurance on a car I don’t drive?” Depending on which insurance company you have, this might be an option, which could, in turn, save you money. 

In addition to going to college, a long trip, or temporary relocation out of the country, being deployed in the military may also qualify you for a suspension in insurance. This is an option for people who wish to use their vehicle when they return but cannot take it with them.

If I don’t drive my car do I need insurance? Yes, you can own a car without insurance if you don’t drive it, but you will need at least liability coverage if you plan to park your unused car on a public street.

Types of Auto Insurance for Non-Drivers

If you are not driving a car do you need insurance? While most people generally don’t own a car when they don’t drive, there are circumstances where they will have one. 

For example, if someone is widowed or a widower and the late spouse did all of the driving, they may have a vehicle sitting in the driveway. The same is true for someone who has inherited a vehicle. Another common example of needing insurance for a car you don’t drive would be someone who only knows how to drive an automatic but now owns a stick shift vehicle.

Is car insurance required for non-drivers? For instance, if you own a car but don’t drive it do you need insurance? That depends on where you plan on storing it. The answer is yes if that car will ever be driven by anyone on a public street, or even parked on one.

A car can sit without insurance on private property, so why do I have to pay insurance on a car I don’t drive? Remember that insurance follows the vehicle. If anyone drives that car for any reason, it has to be insured by you, the owner.

Can I not insure my car? No, you legally need auto insurance. You may be able to drop your policy down to more affordable car insurance with lower liability limits.

You should also look into getting comprehensive insurance coverage for the car. This way, if it is hit by a falling tree branch when it’s parked in your driveway, your vehicle will still be protected.  If you have a car you don’t drive, a comprehensive policy will also protect that car against vandalism, floods, and riot damage. 

Non-Owner Auto Insurance

If I’m not driving my car do I need insurance? This is a common question for drivers who don’t drive their own cars. If you borrow or rent vehicles more often than you drive a personal vehicle, consider non-owner auto insurance.

Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage on vehicles a driver uses but doesn’t own. It doesn’t always apply to work vehicles, as you’ll need a separate commercial or rideshare policy depending on the type of work you do, but it can apply to a roommate’s or family member’s car that you use often. 

State Auto Insurance Laws

Do you have to insure a car you don’t drive? All states are different, and drivers face different punishments for not meeting insurance requirements. 

Why do you need car insurance to drive? Because state law requires it. Every state has a minimum auto insurance requirement. Drivers can meet financial requirements to waive state-required insurance limits, but most drivers have to buy at least minimum liability and personal injury protection.

Do you have to carry insurance on a car that is not being driven in your state? For example, can you take insurance off my car if you’re not driving it in Texas? Texas law requires drivers to insure all registered vehicles or face up to $1,000 in fines and license suspension. 

What Happens if You Don’t Have Insurance on Your Car

Can I have a car without insurance and not drive it? Yes, you can keep an uninsured vehicle as long as the car isn’t registered and you aren’t driving it. However, there are legal consequences for driving a car without auto insurance.

Is it illegal to not have car insurance? Yes, so don’t skip out on getting insurance on a car not being driven. Driving without insurance can lead to serious consequences.

Here’s what you might face if you think you can drive a car without insurance:

• Increased Insurance Rates: Expect your premiums to skyrocket when you do decide to get insured. Insurance companies view uninsured drivers as high-risk, which means higher rates.
• License Suspension: Many states will suspend your driver’s license if you’re caught driving uninsured.
• Loss of Registration: Driving without insurance could result in the revocation of your vehicle’s registration. Without proper registration, you can’t legally drive your car.
• Expensive Fines: Fines for driving uninsured vary by state but can be hefty, and you’ll also face court fees and other related expenses.
• Citations: Police officers will write tickets if you’re caught driving without insurance, which can raise your rates.

Do you have to have insurance on a car if you’re not driving it? Yes, and these tips will help you get cheap car insurance for a car not being driven:

• Look for low-mileage discounts. Most companies offer discounts to drivers who are on the road under 10,000 miles per year.
• Consider storage insurance. If your car will be parked for an extended period, storage insurance might be a cost-effective option.
• Explore usage-based and pay-per-mile insurance. Some insurers offer policies where you pay based on driving habits and the number of miles you drive, which can be beneficial if your car is rarely used.

Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car? Remember, the question shouldn’t be “Do I need car insurance?” but rather “How can I get affordable auto insurance that meets state requirements?” Skipping insurance is never worth the risk.

The Bottom Line: Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car?

Does my car have to be insured if I’m not using it? While many people believe that you do not need car insurance if you’re not driving a car that sits idle, state laws vary. You may need special registration since most states will revoke your registration if your insurance lapses.

Can you have a car parked without insurance? No. You can’t drive or park a car that has no liability insurance on any public road. While you can sometimes qualify for certain exceptions and loopholes, you should insure any car that is in your possession unless you have taken the proper steps to put the car in storage. Being caught without insurance can result in hefty fines, so never take an uninsured car out on a public street. 

If your current car insurance is still too expensive for your parked vehicle, shop around to make sure you are getting the best possible quote for your unique circumstance.