Car insurance required even when car isn't used?
 

I asked my insurance agent to cancel my car insurance while I'm out of town for several months. She informed me that if I did that, my plates could be recalled and I'd be fined by the state. There is a 'vacation hold' I could use, but it would still require liability, property damage, and comprehensive, and I wouldn't save that much on the premium. What gives here in Florida? It doesn't make sense to have all that insurance for a vehicle parked in a garage!

I think your insurance agent is wrong. Florida requires $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance. All other auto insurance is voluntary.

My experience...

I have my wife's car registered in another state (she is not FL resident).
I added my FL car (I am FL resident) to her policy, and then got a warning from Florida to turn in my plate to avoid fine (Her company does not insure in FL, but they had FL Plate listed).
I ended up moving it back to a FL insurance company/ policy.
I happen to have The Hartford, and you can "suspend liability".
For me the 6 month premium is $150 when suspended, but about $850 when not suspended.

I would shop around who is willing to offer this suspended coverage....

In both Maryland and Florida you MUST carry liability insurance in order to possess plates/tags. If you drop the insurance without FIRST turning in the plates you will be fined. As a driver in Florida you want this. Otherwise, some drivers will "forget" to reactivate their insurance.

Whether the other coverages can be canceled for a period of time is up to your insurance company.

Florida allows you to self insure your car if you meet certain requirements. Do a web search or check out the Florida DMV website

This is what you need for licensed Fl cars
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): At least $10,000 in coverage, which helps pay for medical expenses regardless of fault.
- Property Damage Liability (PDL): At least $10,000 in coverage, which covers damage to another person's property if you're at fault
No license no insurance required.

Yes, and those are the drivers Morgan and Morgan will go after if they are involved in a bodily injury accident as they will have to pay for their own team of attorneys rather than using those of the insurance company. Very risky.

Yes, but if you only have the $10,000 minimum amount of liability coverage, your insurance company won't do very much to help you fight a lawsuit either. If there is bodily injury, $10,000 is basically worthless.

Florida is a no fault state.

Also, OP was asking what to do when the car isn’t used and they’re out of town.

Inquire with your insurance company about a low mileage discount, which can be a substantial premium reduction.

Have your agent reduce your coverage to the minimum.

When we lived in Illinois you could get storage insurance for motorcycles and classic cars

We just sold our place but for fifteen years we deleted all but comprehensive coverage when we were not there. We were with Allstate and I spent my life as an insurance broker so I know what I am telling you. They appeared be the best seasonal auto company do deal with.

When we leave for our extended stay in Michigan, we change our policy to STORAGE coverage, which is basically fire and theft. The premium reduction is significant. The only problem is the change has to be at least 60 days, which can be an issue since we are more "SNOW FLAKES" than "SNOW BIRDS" so we have to plan our returns more carefully. If we return too early, we can reinstate the full coverage, but have to repay the full premium retro to the date we changed to storage.

Have a discussion with the very helpful folks at the DMV to discover the minimum coverage necessary to keep the plates active and make your decision.

We often travel for months. If you do not wish to carry insurance on the vehicle while you are away, take the license plate and current insurance to the department of motor vehicles. It is a must that you do this before your current insurance expires. DOT will do the required paper work.

You must leave your vehicle in the garage. If it sits outside without a plate while you are away, it will be red tagged. If you are not home to receive the notice, your car will be towed. Easy peasy! Leave it in the garage!

When you return to the Villages, purchase an insurance policy and return to the department of motor vehicles. They will do the paperwork and give you a plate along with valid registration sticker.