Do you need insurance on a car that doesn’t run?

If you have a vehicle that doesn’t run and you have full coverage auto insurance, you might wonder whether you have to keep insurance on a car you don’t drive. It’s important to know whether or not you need insurance on a car that doesn’t run.

Nobody wants to overpay for auto insurance. This article will cover whether or not you should have car insurance for a car that doesn’t run, how to get auto insurance without a car, and more.

Continue scrolling to find out if you you have to have insurance on a car that doesn’t run or enter your ZIP code above to get free quotes from the top auto insurance companies in your area.

Insurance for Cars That Aren’t Driven

The short answer is yes, you most likely do need insurance for a non operational vehicle. That said, there are some shades of grey. In short, you will need auto insurance on any vehicle that you intend on driving and insuring in the future, even if it doesn’t run now.

This can be frustrating if you have an inoperable vehicle and have since bought another car to drive indefinitely. In many cases, you will be required to maintain an auto insurance policy on a car even if it is in storage.

If you have a car that doesn’t run and you’re considering your options for insurance on non operational vehicles, you will have a few things to consider. Some of these factors include your desire to drive the vehicle in the future, the reason it’s inoperable, the state you live in, and whether or not you are driving another vehicle in the meantime.

If I Don’t Drive my Car Do I Need Insurance

As mentioned previously, your car will need insurance if not being used. This also means that you, as a potential driver, will need to maintain your auto insurance.

Realistically, it’s easier to just maintain your auto insurance policy considering the inconveniences of needing to reinstate an auto insurance policy last minute if something were to come up.

We get it, many people live in a city where driving is a bigger hassle than it’s worth. Even so, you would want to keep your insurance for yourself and to protect your vehicle. If you live in the city, it could be increasingly important to have comprehensive insurance on a car, even if it doesn’t run.

Between the narrow roads and excessive traffic, your car is likely exposed to many risks and could be damaged in the city streets. If your car doesn’t run but is still cosmetically appealing, you would want to keep it protected.

Registering a Car That Doesn’t Run

So, do you have to register a non-running car? You will be required to register a non-operable vehicle in most states. For example, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, despite registration, a non-running vehicle need to be insured in Florida. Unfortunately, this would also include vehicles that don’t run.

Can I drive a non op car in California? Some states, such as California, have specific forms you can complete to acknowledge that the vehicle is inoperable. This Certified of Non-operation can be found on the Department of Motor Vehicles website and may offer some financial benefits with your insurer.

Otherwise, it’s probably best to keep your vehicle registered regardless of its ability to drive, assuming you want to drive it again in the future.

Car Insurance for Non-Operating Vehicles

While you should most likely keep your car insured, that doesn’t mean that you need the same exact insurance on the car. In fact, non op cars do need insurance that meets your state’s minimum auto insurance requirements.

Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements by State

If your car doesn’t run, there’s a good chance that it isn’t worth very much in most cases. Assuming that’s the case, you can probably settle for a low-cost auto insurance policy with your state’s minimum coverage. As you can see above, these values vary drastically from state to state.

Otherwise, you could also consider a usage-based auto insurance policy. These policies aren’t always recommended, but if you have a car that can’t be driven, you’ll clearly have very low usage on that vehicle.

Some auto insurance companies will allow policyholders to purchase usage-based insurance on only one car whereas others may require policyholders to enroll all vehicles, so this is another factor to consider. Pay-per-mile auto insurance would likely be one of the most affordable options if you have a car that doesn’t run that you need to insure.

Can I get auto insurance without a car?

If your car is no longer running and you don’t care if it ever drives on the road again, you won’t need to keep it insured. You will need to find a way to get rid of the vehicle so that it doesn’t rot in your driveway, but it’s up to you how you’ll dispose of it.

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If you no longer have a car but you’re in the shopping process or you’re looking to get your first car, you might need to know how to get auto insurance without a car. Thankfully, this is a straightforward process.

To get auto insurance without a car, you’ll need to ask your insurance company about non-owner auto insurance. These insurance policies also tend to use the state minimums for coverage, unless otherwise requested. This will allow you to stay covered if you drive vehicles owned by friends or at work.

If you’re considering this type of insurance, you’ll want to be sure to get quotes from multiple insurers to see which company offers the best rates.

Buying Insurance for a Car That Doesn’t Run: The Bottom Line

Do I need insurance if i don’t drive my car? In most cases, a non op car will need insurance. It’s required to keep all vehicles registered and insured if you intend on ever driving the vehicle again. There are some auto insurance options to help save in the meantime.

By now, you should have a better understanding of how to get insurance for a car that doesn’t run. Before you go, enter your ZIP code below to get free quotes from the cheapest auto insurance companies in your area.