As your driving habits change with the seasons, you might find yourself wanting to adjust your car insurance coverage, too. For example, if you only drive your motorcycle during the summer, a seasonal car insurance policy that just applies during those summer months might make sense. Understanding your car insurance options can help you choose the coverage that’s right for your driving habits during different seasons.
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The idea of seasonal car insurance is that you buy a policy that only applies during certain seasons. However, car insurance providers don’t actually offer seasonal auto insurance policies. Most policies have either a six- or twelve-month term.
However, you can still save money by adjusting your car insurance during the seasons.
Reduce Your Coverage Seasonally
You may be able to save money by reducing your coverage during the months when you aren’t using your vehicle. For example, canceling your comprehensive car insurance means you’ll still be able to drive if needed, but won’t be paying so much for insurance you aren’t using. However, if you have an auto loan or are leasing your vehicle, you’ll be required to carry comprehensive and collision coverage year-round.
Get a Student Away from Home Discount
If you have a child who is going to college and who will be using your vehicle only during the summer, you can ask if your insurance provider offers a student away from home discount. If you qualify, you’ll receive a discount on your insurance during the months when your child is away at school.
Consider Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance
If you’ll only be driving your vehicle minimally, or not at all, during certain seasons, you may be able to save money with a pay-per-mile car insurance policy. With pay-per-mile car insurance, you’ll pay a base monthly rate no matter how much you drive – even if you don’t drive your car at all. You’ll also usually use a telematics program, such as an app in your phone or a device mounted in your car, to track your daily or monthly mileage. Then, you’ll pay an additional per-mile rate each month.
You might be tempted to cancel your car insurance policy when you’re not driving your vehicle, but this can come with additional costs. If you cancel your car insurance, you’ll also have to cancel your registration. You’ll then need to pay registration fees when you’re ready to get your vehicle back on the road.
Additionally, with no coverage on your vehicle, you won’t be protected against theft or damage that could occur due to severe weather, a tree falling on your vehicle, or another cause. Without insurance coverage, you would need to pay to repair or replace your vehicle out-of-pocket.
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There are several ways to save money when you aren’t using your vehicle. To get started, check to make sure you’re getting the best deal on car insurance. You can get a free, personalized car insurance quote online to explore your options.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
