Many types of vehicles – including travel trailers, fifth wheels, motor homes, motorcycles, and even some cars – may only be used seasonally, typically between early spring and late summer.
In season those vehicles are typically fully insured both for any potential covered damages to the vehicles as well as liability protection, as needed, to protect the vehicle owner(s) and operator(s) in the event someone is injured or property is damaged while the vehicle is being operated.
In the offseason, when those vehicles are safely tucked away in storage, there isn’t the same potential risk of damages – most owners are only concerned what would happen while there vehicle was in storage if there was a fire, someone stole the vehicle, or perhaps a tree or other object fell on the vehicle.
Many insurance companies provide an option for the owner of a seasonal use vehicle to remove all coverage except comprehensive, which is commonly referred to as “storage insurance”. Comprehensive is the coverage that responds for other than collision damages including fire, theft, vandalism, weather-related damages, and falling objects.
While storage insurance provides an opportunity for seasonal use vehicle owners to reduce their insurance costs during the offseason that option also carries with it added responsibility for those vehicle owners to update their insurance accordingly when their vehicle is both going into and coming out of storage.
If you seasonally store a vehicle and change to “storage insurance” it is advisable to leave a note – prominently displayed – either on the vehicle or with the keys stating “Call Insurance Agent” as a reminder to update your insurance when you’re ready to pull your vehicle out of storage and put it back on the road.