[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

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!

Back when we were snowbirds we would have our insurance on one car and the other one which was technically “in storage” we just kept the Comprehensive Coverage. It reduced the premium substantially! Most companies require that it sis for several months. I think ours required 3 months. It has nothing to do with Florida laws it is your insurance company. Find a New one!

[Gramfry52]

It's the same in NY. I would just pit it in vacation hold and at least save some money. It's a hassle getting new plates, if you remove liability coverage.

[MrLonzo]

Originally Posted by JRcorvette

Back when we were snowbirds we would have our insurance on one car and the other one which was technically “in storage” we just kept the Comprehensive Coverage. It reduced the premium substantially! Most companies require that it sis for several months. I think ours required 3 months. It has nothing to do with Florida laws it is your insurance company. Find a New one!

It would be helpful to know what insurance company or broker you used. I contacted Progressive, Allstate, and a broker. Either it's more complicated than you describe, or things must have changed today since 'back when you were snowbirds'.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

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!

A late friend would suspend State Farm coverage during the summer without issue.

[rsmurano]

if your car is in your garage, your home insurance will cover you for liability. Also, if you are rebuilding your car and it's going to be off the road for many months, years, then all you need to have is comprehensiver insurance, which is very cheap. Also, you can self insure.

But, if you have a loan on your car, you have to have it insured based on the requirements of your loaner, because they are the actual owner until you pay it off

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by rsmurano

if your car is in your garage, your home insurance will cover you for liability. Also, if you are rebuilding your car and it's going to be off the road for many months, years, then all you need to have is comprehensiver insurance, which is very cheap. Also, you can self insure.

But, if you have a loan on your car, you have to have it insured based on the requirements of your loaner, because they are the actual owner until you pay it off

From the Florida Highway Safety Page:

Financial Responsibility sanctions can occur once insurance is dropped from the vehicle if the license plate is still actively registered and associated to your vehicle. Failure to surrender a valid license plate when your insurance is cancelled or expires will result in suspension of your driver license.

And from their Insurance Requirements page:

Proof of PIP/PDL coverage must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida to sell policies or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by FLHSMV.

have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL.

and

have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Surrender the license plate/tag BEFORE cancelling your insurance.

To me, the term comprehensive insurance does not include liability insurance. The comprehensive coverage I am familiar with typically covers fire, theft, and glass breakage.

[Topspinmo]

IMO not worth the hassle, I’d just pay insurance, or get rid of stuff I really don’t need….

[Emkay56]

Maybe you need to find a new insurance company that allows you to just have liability on a vehicle when it isn’t in use. That’s what we do.

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

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!

[Professor]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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.

Agreed. I have autos in both places so to avoid this issue USAA allows me to put them in storage and it saves me about 2/3 the premium on each vehicle while in storage.

[Range Rider]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

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!

If your house burned down while you are gone and your car is destroyed....who pays for your car? Your home insurance company for sure will challenge you on what you did.......if you had home insurance!

[bopat]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

From the Florida Highway Safety Page:

Financial Responsibility sanctions can occur once insurance is dropped from the vehicle if the license plate is still actively registered and associated to your vehicle. Failure to surrender a valid license plate when your insurance is cancelled or expires will result in suspension of your driver license.

And from their Insurance Requirements page:

Proof of PIP/PDL coverage must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida to sell policies or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by FLHSMV.

have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL.

and

have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Surrender the license plate/tag BEFORE cancelling your insurance.

To me, the term comprehensive insurance does not include liability insurance. The comprehensive coverage I am familiar with typically covers fire, theft, and glass breakage.

From that same page, scroll to the bottom:

Self-Insurance
Section 324.171, Florida Statutes outlines the financial requirements for the department to issue a certificate to qualified individuals or other specified entities as a self-insurer.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by bopat

From that same page, scroll to the bottom:

Self-Insurance
Section 324.171, Florida Statutes outlines the financial requirements for the department to issue a certificate to qualified individuals or other specified entities as a self-insurer.

Yes.

Originally Posted by Bill14564

...

And from their Insurance Requirements page:

Proof of PIP/PDL coverage must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida to sell policies or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by FLHSMV.

...

[Harleyman]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

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.

The problem with that would be if lightning hit your house and the vehicle burned you would have nothing. Leaving comprehensive on is cheap and easy.

[Harleyman]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

I just checked with Allstate. They confirmed that liability insurance is required even for a vehicle not being used temporarily. Policy must have changed since you were a broker.

They did it this past winter. Just sold the car in April. All of my Canadian friends do the same thing, with Allstate.

[Rango]

If your car is financed, your finance company may require full coverage even if in storage