Storing a Vehicle Is More Than Just Parking It
Whether you are putting away your RV for the winter, taking your motorcycle off the road until spring, or storing a classic car until your next road trip, long-term vehicle storage requires more than locking the doors and walking away. It is easy to overlook small steps that can lead to big problems later. Worse, skipping the proper insurance moves could expose you to financial risks while the vehicle is sitting still.
Let’s walk through the top five mistakes to avoid when storing your vehicle and how to keep your insurance working for you, not against you, during layup season.
1. Canceling Your Insurance Instead of Adjusting It
Why It Matters: Canceling your policy completely might seem like a money-saver, but it can actually cost you more in the long run.
When a vehicle is off the road, it is easy to assume it does not need insurance. After all, you are not driving it, right? The problem is that stored vehicles are still at risk. Theft, fire, vandalism, storm damage, and even rodent infestations can all happen in storage. If you cancel your insurance altogether, you lose coverage for these events. In some states, canceling a policy could also trigger penalties, lapse warnings, or registration suspensions.
The better move is switching to a layup or storage insurance option. These reduced coverage plans keep you protected against non-driving hazards without paying for liability or collision coverage you do not need when the vehicle is parked.
Avoid This Mistake By:
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Talking to your insurer about a storage or layup option.
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Making sure you maintain at least comprehensive coverage.
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Checking your state’s requirements for stored vehicles.
2. Failing to Prep the Battery Properly
Why It Matters: Batteries drain faster than most people think, especially when unused for weeks or months.
Letting your battery sit without preparation is one of the most common vehicle storage mistakes. A dead battery is annoying, but the damage can go beyond that. Fully drained batteries can freeze in cold weather, swell, or even leak acid. That could leave you replacing the battery—or worse, repairing damage to the engine bay or electrical system.
If you are storing your vehicle long-term, the battery should either be:
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Disconnected from the terminals entirely
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Hooked up to a battery maintainer or trickle charger
Trickle chargers are designed to supply a small amount of electricity over time, keeping the battery in good condition without overcharging.
Avoid This Mistake By:
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Disconnecting the battery cables if storing for more than 30 days
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Using a quality battery maintainer for extended storage
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Checking fluid levels and battery condition before storing
3. Leaving the Tires in a Bad Spot
Why It Matters: Your tires are the only part of the vehicle touching the ground, and long-term pressure can lead to permanent damage.
When a vehicle stays parked in one place too long, the tires develop flat spots. These are areas where the rubber becomes deformed under the vehicle’s weight. In extreme cases, this damage can make the tire unsafe to drive on.
Worse, tires lose air pressure over time, even when not in use. Underinflated tires wear unevenly and may crack or dry rot, especially if exposed to cold or moisture.
Avoid This Mistake By:
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Inflating tires to the correct PSI before storage
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Moving the vehicle slightly every few weeks to shift pressure
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Parking on tire cushions or moving to jack stands if storing for months
For seasonal or multi-month storage, consider placing the vehicle on jack stands to take the load off entirely. This also helps prevent stress on suspension parts.
4. Not Protecting Against Moisture and Rodents
Why It Matters: Moisture, pests, and poor ventilation can cause damage even in a locked garage.
Storing your car inside a garage does not automatically protect it from nature. Moisture can creep in through cracks or condensation. Rodents can sneak through tiny openings and chew wiring, insulation, and hoses. Mold can grow in the cabin, and rust can form on exposed metal.
These are all issues that may not show up right away, but they can cost hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in repairs.
Avoid This Mistake By:
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Using a breathable, water-resistant car cover—never plastic
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Closing all windows and vents, but leaving a small opening for air flow if needed
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Placing moisture absorbers like silica gel or charcoal inside the cabin
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Sealing entry points like tailpipes and engine intakes with steel wool or screens
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Placing rodent deterrents such as peppermint oil, dryer sheets, or traps around the storage area
If storing outdoors, a high-quality cover is critical. It should keep out moisture while still allowing trapped humidity to escape.
5. Forgetting to Update Your Insurance Again Before Driving
Why It Matters: Driving with storage-only coverage is not just risky, it may be illegal.
It is easy to forget that you turned your policy to storage mode—until you need to drive again. This is where one of the biggest layup insurance errors happens. If you take your vehicle on the road without restoring full coverage, you are not just exposing yourself to financial risk—you could also face fines, license penalties, or denied claims in the event of an accident.
Layup insurance only works while the vehicle is off the road. As soon as you are ready to drive again, you must contact your insurer to reactivate full liability and any required coverage based on your state’s laws.
Avoid This Mistake By:
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Setting a calendar reminder to reinstate full coverage before driving
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Double-checking that your registration is valid and up to date
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Performing a full pre-drive inspection (tires, fluids, lights, brakes)
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Getting written confirmation of your updated insurance status before hitting the road
Never assume that once you have insurance, you are automatically good to go. Storage insurance is a different level of protection, and it ends the minute you start that ignition.
Also Read These Articles:
Do I Need Insurance on a Stored Car? Laws by State
Can I Pause My Car Insurance? Pros, Cons & How-To
Comprehensive-Only Insurance: What It Covers and When to Use It
What Happens If You Cancel Insurance While Your Vehicle Is Stored?
Motorcycle Layup Insurance: How Riders Save Money Off-Season
Boat Lay-Up Insurance: A Seasonal Guide for Owners
Seasonal Vehicle Insurance vs Year-Round Coverage: Which Is Cheaper?
How to Switch Your Auto Policy to Storage Mode Without a Penalty
What Every Vehicle Owner Should Know About Storage Insurance
Garage vs. Outdoor Storage: How Location Affects Your Insurance and Risk
Storage & Layup Insurance Guide: How to Protect Your Vehicle While It’s Parked
Bonus Tip: Skipping a Pre-Storage Checklist
A lot of storage mistakes happen simply because people do not know what to check. Having a simple checklist can keep you from overlooking things like fuel stabilizer, fluid levels, window positioning, or cleaning the interior before long-term storage. These small steps can prevent big headaches when it is time to bring your vehicle back out.
Grab your free “Vehicle Storage Prep & Insurance Checklist” on LayupInsurance.com to make sure you do not miss a step.
Wrap-Up: Smart Storage Starts With the Right Moves
Storing your vehicle the right way is part mechanical prep, part insurance strategy, and part common sense. When you avoid these top five mistakes—canceling coverage, neglecting the battery, mishandling the tires, ignoring pest and moisture protection, and forgetting to reactivate insurance—you set yourself up for a smooth return when the season changes.
Do not let storage mistakes catch you off guard. Layup insurance is meant to give you peace of mind while your vehicle rests. Use it correctly, combine it with smart prep, and you will save money, avoid damage, and keep your car, motorcycle, RV, or boat ready for its next adventure.