My dad passed, my mother does not drive. Does the car in the garage need to be insured?

Question

Ya, dads gone. His car sits in the garage. Does the car need insurance, better yet -does my mom need to pay the premium?

The only time the car will be used is when one of the three kids use it to run an errand or just to start it and drive it.

Would'nt the kids insurance cover it (all 3 have insurance on their own vehicles)?

I just want to remove a burdensome payment off my Mother until the car is sold.

Answer 1

You can drop the insurance on it as long as no one drives it. (Not even the kids on an errand.)

However, the garage burns down you can't claim it as a loss on your homeowners since you won't have comp coverage./

Answer 2

Here is the straight answer...

The car must have full coverage if it is financed (or leased).

If not, the car needs no insurance to sit but would be a loss if the garage burned down as it would not be covered by homeowners insurance.

As far as the kids driving, the insurance you each have on your own cars transfers to this car at the same coverages (if you are only borrowing it and not keeping it at your own residences). In the event of an accident - no matter who's fault, the insurance carrier you have may elect to pay only up to the uninsured motorist coverage on your policy for your damages.

Sorry 'bout dad...

Answer 3

The car needs liability coverage if it's ever being driven. You can't sell it if a prospective buyer can't test drive it either. Your liability coverage MAY act as supplemental coverage while you're driving it, but it needs to have its own liability coverage as well.

You'll need collision and comp to protect the car itself.

Contact the insurance carrier. Make sure that the mileage is listed correctly. From what it sounds like it should be less than 6,000 per year.

Also check the use. It should be "pleasure only". Typically the use is classified as P & B or Personal & Business if it's being driven to work. Pleasure Only will lower the rates somewhat.

Check the deductibles on the collission and comp coverage; you can save quite a bit by raising those. If your insurance will cover her car when you dirve it, see if your collission deductible will apply. But keep the comp deductible reasonable as it will provide coverage while the car is parked at her home -- fire, theft, etc.

Make sure that your Dad is no longer listed on the policy. That's important especially if his driving record wasn't that good.

If the coverage fits the situation, the premium should be reasonable. Shop around for better rates as well. Most people who have been with the same insurer for an extended period of time can usually save quite a bit by shopping around.

If your Mom is going to sell it, see if she'll title it over to you and you can add it to your policy. That will cost you a bit, but at least she won't have to pay.

Answer 4

So sorry for your loss.

Call your Dad's car insurance company and let them know the situation as they can advise you best. I would think a minimum insurance coverage would be required in case of vandalism, theft or fire. A rider can be added to the policy to cover the infrequent use of the vehicle by the kids (as no ages are provided, so it is unknown how their age will be a factor into the costs).

You can check the value of the car on line (bluebook.com, I think), and then run an ad in the local paper to sell it, or with this knowledge take it to a dealer and see if they will purchase it from you.

All the best during this most stressful time.

Answer 5

If the car is registered then U need insurance. Just have the insurance bill sent 2 U or a different address. U could always register it in 1 of the siblings (or your) names & put it under their (or yours) already existing auto policies. Its usuall cheaper to add a vehicle 2 an existing policey rather than holding its own. U'll B exempt from sales tax upon the transfer of registration because its in the family...

Answer 6

If the car is going to be driven on the road, it will need to be insured. If you remove the tags and are just leaving it in the garage, you can cancel the insurance. Notify the insurance company that the car is not going to be driven other than the way you say, and see if the rates being paid can be reduced.

Answer 7

The car has to be insured to be road legal. If you drop the insurance, do not drive it on the road. Your personal insurance doesnt cover it. I would split the bill among you 3 kids, and just keep liability insurance on the car till its sold.

Answer 8

yes the car needs to be insured for anyone to drive it in your family on there insurance and only then will thay be covered for 3rd party ...but also check that your kids insurance says that thay are covered to drive any other car .hope this helps

Answer 9

If anyone is driving it, there needs to be insurance on it. In some states you are able to insure your license so any vehicle you drive is covered, but most companies only insure your vehicle. If your vehicle is insured it will not cover your mother's unless you add her vehicle to your policy. If your license is insured you don't have to worry about it.

Answer 10

An option may be a storage policy. AAA has them. It is just a few dollars a year, but if a tree takes out the garage, the car is covered.