You can't buy a true "seasonal" car insurance policy, but you can reduce your coverage and costs when you're not driving. If your car will be stored for 30+ days, most insurers allow you to switch to comprehensive-only coverage — protecting against theft and damage while cutting your premium by 20-50%. Here's how it works.
Auto Insurance for Seasonal Drivers
What Is Seasonal Car Insurance?
"Seasonal car insurance" isn't a specific product you can buy off the shelf. Most auto insurance policies are written for 6 or 12 months, meaning you can't simply pause and restart your plan whenever you feel like it.
However, insurers understand that you might not drive your car year-round. Instead of a temporary policy, what people call "seasonal insurance" is actually a strategy of adjusting your current policy to fit your usage. This usually involves switching to comprehensive-only coverage (often called "storage insurance"), utilizing low-mileage discounts, or switching to pay-per-mile insurance.
Key takeaway: You should NEVER cancel your insurance entirely just because you aren't driving. Doing so creates a "coverage gap" in your history, which causes insurers to view you as high-risk and can skyrocket your rates when you try to get insured again.
Who Needs Seasonal Coverage?
You might benefit from adjusting your coverage seasonally if you fit one of these profiles:
Snowbirds: Texans who spend their winters in warmer climates (or vice versa) and leave a vehicle behind.
Classic Car Owners: Drivers who keep their vintage rides in the garage during bad weather and only drive them for shows or sunny weekends.
College Students: Students who leave their car at their parents' house while living on campus during the semester.
Military Personnel: Service members deployed overseas or stationed in a different state without their personal vehicle.
RV & Motorcycle Owners: Enthusiasts who store their recreational vehicles during the off-season.
Second Vehicle Owners: Anyone with a "project car" or weekend vehicle that sits idle for weeks at a time.
Traveling Professionals: Workers taking extended business trips who won't be using their personal car for a month or more.
Comprehensive-Only Coverage (Storage Insurance)
This is the most common way to save money on a parked car. Comprehensive-only coverage drops all the expensive parts of your policy required for driving (like liability) and keeps only the protection you need for a parked car.
What it covers:
Theft
Vandalism
Fire
Weather damage (hail, flood, falling trees)
Animal damage
Falling objects
What it doesn't cover:
Accidents (collision with another vehicle)
Liability (injuries or damage you cause to others)
Roadside assistance (usually)
Requirements:
To qualify, most insurers require that your vehicle be stored for at least 30 days. It typically must be kept in a secure location, like a locked garage or a storage facility. Crucially, you CANNOT drive the car — not even a quick trip to the gas station or to move it to a new parking spot.
Cost savings:
Switching to comprehensive-only coverage typically costs between $30-50 per month, compared to the $150-250 you might pay for full coverage. That is a potential savings of 20-50% on your premium while the car sits idle.
⚠️ WARNING: Do NOT drive your car with comprehensive-only coverage. You have no liability protection. If you cause an accident, you pay for everything out of pocket — the other driver's injuries, their car repair, and your own damages. You could also be ticketed, fined, or have your license suspended for driving without insurance.
Good Vibes
Amy V. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are super satisfied with the service we get from Stephanie every time we need a quote, make a payment or even just a simple question…She is super friendly very professional and did I mention very thorough about any information she gives us. I feel like she always goes above and beyond no matter what service we need.Thank you Stephanie we need more people like you in the customer service world!
Read More
Nate P. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lindsey was absolutely amazing, she stayed on the phone with me until the whole process was complete and was very polite! Also, the rates are unbeatable!!! I would put 10 stars if I could but I guess I'll just highly recommend them!
Read More
Abelia C. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vanessa had helped me with a quote and getting started on insurance, she was extremely helpful and gave me an awesome deal!! She was super polite and beyond helpful!!
Read More
Miguel C. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great customer service! Immediate quote with the best prices in town. I had have them for about six years now and they are always eager to help and give you the best deal.
Read More
Richard L. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have been with them for more than 8 years I have not had any problems very good company!
Lejoan B. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Angelica helped with my full coverage insurance in under 20 mins I was all set. Thanks again I’ll be recommending.
Read More
Ametrus B. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you just need liability insurance, this is the go to place. Lowest prices in town. Friendly agents to work with.
Read MoreHow to Switch to Seasonal/Storage Coverage
Ready to save? You generally cannot do this through an app or website alone because agents need to confirm the car is safely stored. Follow these steps:
Call your insurer or agent: Do not make changes online without discussing your specific situation first.
Confirm eligibility: If your car is leased or financed, your lender likely requires you to maintain full coverage 100% of the time to protect their asset. You may not be eligible for storage insurance.
Provide storage details: Tell your agent exactly where the car will be kept (e.g., "in a locked private garage at my home address").
Request comprehensive-only: Ask specifically to drop liability and collision coverage temporarily while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Get written confirmation: Ensure you receive documentation showing the effective dates and the specific coverages remaining.
Set a reminder: Put a sticky note on your steering wheel or set a phone alert. You must reinstate full coverage BEFORE you drive the car again.
Other Options for Part-Time Drivers
If storage insurance doesn't fit your needs — maybe you still drive the car once a week — consider these alternatives:
Low-Mileage Discounts: If you drive less than 7,500 to 10,000 miles per year, you might qualify for a discount of 5-15%. You may need to provide odometer readings or use a tracking device.
Pay-Per-Mile Insurance: This is ideal if you drive occasionally. You pay a low monthly base rate plus a per-mile fee (typically 2-6 cents). Pay-per-mile insurance is often the best financial choice for drivers covering less than 10,000 miles annually.
Usage-Based Insurance (Telematics): By installing a device or app that tracks your driving habits, safe drivers who drive infrequently can earn significant discounts.
Raise Deductibles: If you must keep full coverage but want to lower your monthly bill, raising your deductible (e.g., from $500 to $1,000) can lower your premium. This is a good bet if you are a safe driver and the car is rarely exposed to road risks.
Texas-Specific Considerations
If you live in the Lone Star State, there are a few local rules to keep in mind.
Registration Requirements: Texas requires valid insurance on all registered vehicles. If you cancel your policy entirely, the state may flag your vehicle registration. While Texas does not have a formal "Planned Non-Operation" status like some states, maintaining comprehensive-only coverage usually keeps your policy "active" in the eyes of the insurer, preventing a lapse in coverage history.
Minimum Coverage: When you do drive, Texas law requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/25. That means $30,000 for injuries per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. You must reinstate at least these limits before taking your car out of storage.
Financed Vehicles: Texas lenders generally require full coverage (comprehensive and collision) regardless of how often you drive. Check your loan agreement before dropping any coverage.
What to Do Before Driving Again
When the season changes and you're ready to get back on the road, follow this reinstatement process to stay legal:
Contact your insurer: Call your agent 24-48 hours before you plan to drive.
Reinstate Liability: Add back at least the state minimum liability coverage (30/60/25 in Texas).
Add Collision: If you want protection for your own car in an accident, add collision coverage back on.
Get New Proof of Insurance: Ask your agent to email you a new ID card immediately.
Confirm Effective Time: Coverage changes can sometimes take 24 hours to process. Do not turn the key until you have confirmation that your full policy is active.
A-MAX Can Help
Navigating seasonal coverage can be tricky, but you don't have to do it alone. At A-MAX, we help you:
Compare seasonal options from 35+ different insurance carriers to find the most flexible policies.
Find specialized plans like low-mileage discounts and pay-per-mile policies.
Get in-person support at over 200 Texas locations if you prefer to handle your policy changes face-to-face.
Whether you need motorcycle insurance for the summer or RV insurance for your winter getaway, we help you set up the right coverage for your lifestyle.
Common questions about Seasonal Insurance
Switching to comprehensive-only coverage while your car is stored can reduce your premium by 20-50%. Comprehensive-only typically costs $30-50 per month compared to $150-250 for full coverage. Exact savings depend on your vehicle and location.
Comprehensive-only coverage protects your parked vehicle against theft, vandalism, fire, weather damage, and falling objects. It does NOT include liability or collision coverage, which means you cannot legally drive the car while this coverage is active.
Most insurers require your vehicle to be stored for at least 30 days to qualify for comprehensive-only coverage. The car must be kept in a secure location like a garage or storage facility during this time.
No. Comprehensive-only coverage has no liability protection. If you drive and cause an accident, you're personally responsible for all damages and injuries — plus you could be ticketed for driving without proper insurance. Always reinstate full coverage before driving.
Seasonal/storage insurance (comprehensive-only) is for cars that won't be driven at all for extended periods. Pay-per-mile insurance is for cars driven occasionally — you pay a base rate plus a per-mile charge (typically 2-6 cents). Pay-per-mile is better if you still drive sometimes; storage insurance is better if the car won't move at all.
No. Vehicles that are leased or financed typically must maintain full coverage per lender requirements. Vehicles used for commercial purposes also may not qualify. Contact your insurer to confirm eligibility.
No — canceling creates a coverage gap that can raise future rates and may violate state registration requirements. Instead, ask about reducing to comprehensive-only coverage or switching to a pay-per-mile policy.
Start Your Free Quote
Let's Start Saving
Drop by One of Our
Convenient Locations
and chat with a friendly agent!
Call Us
Text Us
Message
Visit