When you discover damage to your stored, unregistered vehicle, the last thing you want is uncertainty about your insurance coverage. Many Central New York homeowners assume their home insurance policies cover everything on their property.
This misconception can lead to unexpected costs when they learn vehicles have specific exclusions.
At the Horan insurance agency, we work with multiple carriers in Central New York. We aim to share information about policy exclusions and coverage options.
In this article, we'll explore why home insurance doesn't cover vehicles, what your home policy typically does cover, and coverage options available for an unregistered vehicle in storage.
Understanding Vehicle Coverage Exclusions in Your Home Insurance Policy
A standard home insurance policy provides coverage for many types of property. This typically includes coverage across several areas:
- Your home's structure and attached structures like a garage
- Personal belongings inside your home
- Furniture and appliances
- Electronics and entertainment equipment
- Clothing and personal items
- Tools and yard equipment
Learn more about what home insurance covers in our Comprehensive Horan Guide to Homeowners Insurance.
However, motor vehicles—whether registered or unregistered—fall under specific exclusions in standard home insurance policies. This means if a fire damages your garage, your policy will cover repairs to the structure but not any damage to vehicles inside.
Why Vehicles in Storage Need Different Coverage
When you keep an unregistered vehicle parked through Central New York's changing seasons, it faces various risks despite being stationary:
- Fire damage to your garage that could spread to the vehicle
- Storm damage from severe weather events
- Potential theft or vandalism
- Water damage from plumbing issues or flooding
- Falling objects or structural collapse
Your home policy won't cover these incidents when they affect your vehicle, leaving you responsible for repair or replacement costs.
Finding Coverage Options for Your Parked Vehicle
A comprehensive-only auto policy offers coverage for vehicles in storage. This type of policy includes protection against non-collision incidents while maintaining flexibility for future use.
Here's what comprehensive coverage includes:
- Insurance protection without requiring current vehicle registration
- Coverage for non-collision incidents including theft, vandalism, and weather damage
- Options to select a deductible that aligns with your financial preferences, including lower deductible amounts to minimize out-of-pocket costs
- Ability to add liability and collision coverage when you decide to register and drive the vehicle again
- Lower premium costs compared to full auto coverage since the vehicle isn't being driven
Learn more about the differences between comprehensive and collision coverage.
Making an Insurance Choice for Your Vehicle
The decision about insurance coverage for your unregistered vehicle shouldn't keep you up at night. Without coverage, a single incident could result in significant repair or replacement expenses.
At the Horan insurance agency, we help Central New York residents understand their options for vehicles in storage. We share information about seasonal storage considerations and insurance coverage options.
Click the Get a Quote button below to learn about comprehensive coverage options available for your vehicle storage situation.
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